Sernova Unveils Encouraging Data on Cell Pouch System for Hypothyroidism Treatment at ATA 2023

LONDON, Ontario and WINDHAM COUNTY, Conn., Sept. 29, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Clinical-stage company Sernova Corp. SVA SEOVF (FSE/XETRA:PSH), specializing in cell therapeutics, declared new preclinical findings for their innovative cell therapy technology, the Cell Pouch System™. These outcomes, presented at the 2023 American Thyroid Association (ATA) Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C., suggest a noteworthy breakthrough in treating post-operative hypothyroidism, a condition that typically necessitates life-long hormone replacement therapy.

Key Findings Show Restored Thyroid Function

In a pivotal study, following total thyroidectomy, the re-implantation of thyroid tissue into a pre-vascularized Cell Pouch™ facilitated the rebalance of crucial thyroid hormones - free thyroxine (FT4) and triiodothyronine (T3) - to normal levels. Moreover, Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) exhibited a significant spike post-surgery, which showed a decrease five weeks after the tissue was reintroduced. This pattern mirrors the rebuilding effect of the intrinsic thyroid feedback system. Additionally, follow-up assessments after six months validated the healthy and functional state of the thyroid tissues within the Cell Pouch.

Sernova's Vision to Enhance Life Quality for Thyroidectomy Patients

Cynthia Pussinen, CEO of Sernova, expressed that thyroidectomy often commits patients to a lifetime of replacement therapy, which can lead to a host of persistent symptoms negatively affecting life quality. The aim with the Cell Pouch System is to restore normal thyroid function thus offering a better quality of life. Sernova is actively exploring expedited development avenues for their thyroid program in light of these compelling results.

The American market sees around 150,000 thyroidectomies annually¹, pointing to a considerable industry potential. Initially, Sernova plans to employ the patient's own healthy thyroid gland tissue harvested during surgery for benign conditions. This unique approach would avoid the need for long-term immune suppression treatments. Future cell replacement therapies could leverage stem cell-derived technologies to serve a wider patient pool with hypothyroid conditions.

Enhanced Cell Therapy Platform Progress

The Cell Pouch System is a cornerstone of Sernova's portfolio, designed to create a natural, vascularized environment for the long-term survival of therapeutic cells to treat chronic illnesses such as diabetes and hypothyroid disease. Sernova's collaboration with Evotec EVO is particularly noteworthy, seeking to harness off-the-shelf iPSCs for producing insulin and addressing the needs of millions living with diabetes. Progress with the Cell Pouch System extends to additional developments in hemophilia A cell therapy and potential treatments for post-operative hypothyroidism.

For more information on Sernova and its innovative cell therapy platform, please refer to official press releases and financial disclosures.

Sernova, CellPouch, Hypothyroidism