BrainStorm Announces Positive Topline Data in NurOwn Study for Progressive MS

BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics announced topline data from the Company's Phase 2 trial evaluating three repeated administrations of NurOwn® (MSC-NTF cells), each given 2 months apart, as a treatment for progressive multiple sclerosis (MS). The study achieved the primary endpoint of safety and improvements were observed in secondary endpoints spanning neurologic function, cognition, and biomarkers.

"This is an extremely exciting outcome, as it demonstrates the potential of our proprietary cell therapy NurOwn in progressive MS and expands the body of evidence supporting the NurOwn® technology platform in neurodegenerative disease," said Chaim Lebovits, Chief Executive Officer of BrainStorm. "We appreciate the efforts of the Brainstorm team and the commitment and expertise of the clinical trial sites and patients who participated in this important trial despite the challenges imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. We plan to fully evaluate the results of this study, review the data with the MS scientific community and hopefully continue to advance NurOwn as an important therapeutic option for patients with progressive MS."

The 28-week open-label Phase 2 clinical trial enrolled 20 primary and secondary progressive MS patients based on the 2017 revised McDonald Criteria, ages 18-65, with baseline Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores between 3-6.5, without evidence of relapse within 6 months of enrollment, able to walk 25 feet in 60 seconds or less and were permitted to be on a stable dose of disease modifying therapy.

Of the 20 patients enrolled, 18 were treated and 16 (80%) completed the study. Two patients discontinued related to procedure-related AEs. There were no study deaths or AEs related to multiple sclerosis worsening. The mean age of study patients was 47, 56% were female, and mean baseline EDSS score was 5.4. The clinical trial compared clinical efficacy outcomes with a 48 patient matched clinical cohort from the Comprehensive Longitudinal Investigations in MS at the Brigham & Woman's Hospital (CLIMB Study).

MS Function and Cognition measures in the top-line results included the timed 25-foot walk (T25FW); 9 hole peg test (9-HPT); Low Contrast Letter Acuity (LCLA); Symbol Digit Modality Test (SDMT); and the 12 item MS Walking Scale (MSWS-12). Prespecified 25% improvements in the timed 25-foot walk (T25FW) and 9-hole peg test (9-HPT) from baseline to 28 weeks were observed in 14% and 13% of NurOwn treated patients, respectively, and was observed in 0% of the pre-specified matched historical controls in the CLIMB registry. Thirty eight percent of NurOwn treated patients showed at least a 10-point improvement in the MSWS-12 from baseline to week 28, a patient reported outcome that evaluates walking function. In addition, 47% of treated patients showed at least an 8-letter improvement across 28 weeks in the low contrast letter acuity test (LCLA), a visual function test, and 67% showed at least a 3-point improvement in the symbol digit modality test (SDMT), a measure of cognitive processing.

In addition, NurOwn treated patients showed a mean improvement from baseline of 10% in T25FW and a 4.8% improvement from baseline on the 9-HPT dominant hand, compared to 1.8% and 1.4% worsening respectively in matched historical controls from the CLIMB registry. Also, NurOwn treated patients showed a 6% improvement from baseline in MSWS-12. All results reported are based on observed data.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers were obtained at 3 consecutive time points, just prior to each intrathecal administration of NurOwn. We observed increases in neuroprotective molecules (VEGF, HGF) and decreases in neuroinflammatory biomarkers (MCP-1, SDF-1 and osteopontin). Additional secondary efficacy data, and detailed CSF and blood biomarker analyses are currently underway and will be reported at upcoming scientific meetings.

"These positive results indicate the potential of MSC-NTF cells to lessen inflammatory mechanisms, promote repair, and restore function in progressive MS, a condition for which there is great need for effective therapy," said Jeffrey Cohen, M.D, Director of Experimental Therapeutics, Cleveland Clinic Mellen Center for MS. Dr. Cohen reports no disclosures related to this study.

"We applaud Brainstorm for completion of this first in human trial of NurOwn in progressive MS, and are encouraged by the early indication of safety and effectiveness," said Mark Allegretta, PhD, Vice President of Research at the National MS Society. "We're hopeful that our collaboration will uncover insights into clinically relevant biomarkers that may predict a treatment effect in progressive MS."

The Phase 2 NurOwn® trial was a multi-center, open-label trial designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of NurOwn® in 20 progressive MS patients at four MS centers of excellence: Cleveland Clinic, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Stanford, and USC. Progressive MS patients were screened, provided informed consent and following a 10-week run-in period received three intrathecal administrations of 100-125 million autologous MSC-NTF cells at 2-month intervals. Patients were followed for 28 weeks after the first treatment. The primary endpoint of the trial was safety. Secondary endpoints included functional and cognitive measures and modulation of CSF and blood biomarkers (neurotrophic factors, neurodegenerative, and inflammatory biomarkers). Outcomes assessed included: Timed 25-Foot Walking Speed (T25FW); Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS); 9-Hole Peg Test (9HPT); Low Contrast Letter Acuity (LCLA); Symbol Digit Modality Test (SDMT); the 12 item MS Walking Scale (MSWS-12); average daily step count (using a wearable sensor); and quantitative MRI measures.

Progressive MS is a chronic neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative disorder that affects the brain and spinal cord. MS affects approximately 1 million individuals in the U.S. and 2.5 million individuals worldwide. Approximately half of individuals affected by MS will eventually develop a progressive form of the disease, which may lead to increasing levels of motor, visual, and cognitive functional impairment, and relentless accumulation of disability.