Athersys' MultiStem cell therapy improves mortality in respiratory distress syndrome patients

Athersys Inc. (NASDAQ:ATHX) said a 900 million cell dose of IV MultiStem led to a lower mortality rate through 28 days vs. placebo (25% vs. 40%) in the exploratory Phase IIa MUST-ARDS trial to treat moderate-to-severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). MultiStem also led to a 40.2% increase in ventilator-free days (12.9 vs. 9.2 days) and a 27.2% increase in ICU-free days (10.3 vs. 8.1 days) vs. placebo.

The company, which said the trial was not powered for efficacy, will continue to evaluate the data as the one-year follow-up period is completed for all patients. The Phase IIa portion of the double-blind, U.S. and U.K. Phase I/IIa trial enrolled 30 patients who were required to begin treatment within four days of ARDS diagnosis...