Mesoblast received a key patent from the United States Patent and Trademark Office for the proprietary Mesenchymal Precursor Cell technology for treating patients with degenerated intervertebral discs.
Here are seven things to know about the patented technology:
1. The patent runs through June 2029.
2. The company has a suite of patents with multiple layers of protection for its product candidates treating low back pain from degenerated discs. The existing patents include product candidates for intervertebral disc repair and regeneration as well as spinal fusion.
4. Mesobblast has initiated a Phase 3 program using the MPCs in the United States to treat patients with chronic discogenic low back pain. The object of the trial is to confirm the positive outcomes found in the Phase 2 clinical trial.
5. The technology has already demonstrated the potential to provide durable improvement in pain and function for patients who suffer from chronic discogenic low back pain. The product is measured against a saline control using a composite of durable involvement in pain and function.
6. The target population for this product is patients with moderately degenerated disc. The patients would have failed conservative treatment and possibly failed epidural steroid injections. The total costs associated with low back pain are between $100 billion and $200 billion annually, with two-thirds attributed to patients lost wages and productivity.
7. The company also has several patents pending which will be used to pursue additional claims to broaden and extend protection for Mesoblast's product candidates for chronic low back pain treatment.