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STEM-PD : A bench-to-bedside story by MultiPark researchers

After a decade of protocol development and preparations, MultiPark researchers have finally launched the clinical trial. Recently, dopamine-producing cells generated from embryonic stem cells were transplanted into the first Parkinson's patient at Skåne University Hospital.

During the autumn 2022, the Swedish MPA (Läkemedelsverket) approved the clinical STEM-PD study. Several of MultiParks PIs have leading roles in this project. The STEM-PD product is manufactured under GMP conditions in the UK using a protocol developed by Malin Parmar and Agnete Kirkeby. The clinical PI of the study is Gesine Paul-Visse, and the medical sponsor representative is Håkan Widner. Another key step is the set up of the PET imaging required for this study. In Lund, brain imaging for this purpose has been developed by Oskar Hansson/Ruben Smith in collaboration with the previous guest professor Paola Piccini. Led by Oskar Hansson, the PET imaging is now performed in Lund, instead of London, to evaluate the effects of the grafted cells.

We are taking a novel therapeutic product from the bench to the bedside, all as a result of several years of close collaboration between several PI’s within MultiPark.

”This clinical trial is of major strategic value and a great achievement for Multipark as it proves that we are able to bring our preclinical findings to the patient. We are now in the unique position of taking a novel therapeutic product from the bench to the bedside, all as a result of several years of close collaboration between several PI’s within MultiPark.Even if it took time, this was the first of the ambitious translational aims of Multipark when the strategic research area was initiated,” says Gesine Paul-Visse

This was the first of the ambitious translational aims when Multipark was initiated.

The milestone transplant was performed at Skåne University Hospital in February. Photo.
The milestone transplant was performed at Skåne University Hospital in February.

Now, the first transplantation has been carried out. Over the next two years, eight patients will be transplanted with a cell product derived from human embryonic stem cells. This is a study sponsored by Region Skåne and the first academic ATMP (Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products) trial developed by Lund University.

“It has been an honor to lead the STEM-PD team! After a ten-year journey from when we first published our experimental findings, we are now ready to use the cells in patients. MultiPark has supported the project from the start, both at the experimental level by providing necessary infrastructures as well as in the translational and clinical phase,” says Malin Parmar.

A milestone on the way to developing a new treatment for Parkinson's disease.

“Hopefully, this study is a milestone on the way to developing a new treatment for Parkinson's disease", concludes Gesine Paul-Visse. 

Profile photo of Malin Parmar

Malin Parmar

Professor

malin [dot] parmar [at] med [dot] lu [dot] se (malin[dot]parmar[at]med[dot]lu[dot]se)

Link to Malin Parmar's profile in the LU Research Portal

Twitter: @ParmarLab

Profile photo of Agnete Kirkeby

Agnete Kirkeby

Associate Senior Lecturer

agnete [dot] kirkeby [at] med [dot] lu [dot] se (agnete[dot]kirkeby[at]med[dot]lu[dot]se)

Link to Agnete Kirkeby's profile in the LU Research Portal

Twitter: @Kirkeby_Lab

 

Portrait photo of Gesine Paul Visse
Photo: Kenneth Rouna

Gesine Paul-Visse

Adjunct Professor 

gesine [dot] paul-visse [at] med [dot] lu [dot] se (gesine[dot]paul-visse[at]med[dot]lu[dot]se)

Link to Gesine Paul's profile in the LU Research Portal