RegeneRx's TB4 Shown to Promote Regeneration and Repair of Damaged Central Nervous System Cells
PR Newswire
ROCKVILLE, Md

ROCKVILLE, Md, Jan. 27, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- RegeneRx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (OTCQB: RGRX) ("RegeneRx" or the "Company"), a clinical-stage drug development company focused on tissue protection, repair and regeneration, today announced the publication of a new scientific study demonstrating how Thymosin beta 4 (Tβ4) initiates remyelination (restoration of the myelination sheath around nerve cells responsible for fast and accurate transmission of nerve signals) by promoting the differentiation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) in two separate demyelination animal models, including the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model and the cuprizone diet model, both commonly used for studying different aspects of MS-related pathology. 

Demyelination or damage to the myelin sheath causes nerve impulses to slow or stop and is the hallmark of multiple sclerosis and other demyelinating neurological disorders. 

Oligodendrocytes are the myelin-producing cells in the nervous system. These mature cells do not replicate; thus, myelin can only be restored if the oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) are recruited, have increased proliferation, and differentiate into mature oligodendrocytes.

According to the authors, "these findings indicated that: 1) Tβ4 increases proliferation of OPCs and the maturation of OPCs to myelinating oligodendrocytes which in concert, likely contribute to the beneficial effect of Tβ4, 2) Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor upregulated and activated by Tβ4 may mediate the process of OPC differentiation, and 3) Tβ4 could potentially be developed as a therapy for MS patients, and for other demyelinating neurological disorders."

The research was performed by Dr. J. Zhang et al., in the Departments of Neurology and Biostatistics and Research Epidemiology, Henry Ford Health System in Detroit, MI and the Department of Physics at Oakland University in Rochester, MI,  and published in the Journal of Neurobiology of Disease, 2016 Jan 12; pii: S0969-9961(16)30010-9. doi: 10.1016/j.nbd.2016.01.010. [Epub]  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26805386.

About RegeneRx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.

RegeneRx is focused on the development of a novel therapeutic peptide, Thymosin beta 4, for tissue and organ protection, repair and regeneration. RegeneRx currently has three drug candidates in clinical development for ophthalmic, cardiac and dermal indications, three active strategic licensing agreements in China, Pan Asia (Korea, Japan, and Australia, among others) and the U.S., and has worldwide patents and patent applications covering its products.  RGN-259, the Company's Tβ4-based ophthalmic drug candidate, has been designated an orphan drug for the treatment of neurotrophic keratopathy (NK). RegeneRx has Phase 3 clinical trials with RGN-259 for the treatment of patients with NK.  The drug candidate is also being tested in patients with dry eye syndrome in the U.S. and Asia.  RGN-352, the Company's Tβ4-based injectable formulation, is a Phase 2-ready drug candidate designed to be administered systemically to prevent and restore tissue damage associated with acute events such as heart attack and disorders of, and injuries to, the central and peripheral nervous systems.  For additional information about RegeneRx please visit www.regenerx.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

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SOURCE RegeneRx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.