Ossium Health, Inc. announced today that the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) has awarded the company a $3.46M Clinical Stage Research Program (CLIN1) grant to support the continued clinical development of OSSM-007, Ossium’s interferon-gamma primed mesenchymal stem cell product, for the treatment of steroid-refractory acute graft versus host disease (GVHD). This funding will support and accelerate pre-clinical and manufacturing activities for OSSM-007, with plans to initiate clinical study activities by the end of 2023.

Acute GVHD occurs after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplants (HCT) and is a reaction in which immunocompetent donor cells (the graft) recognize and attack the recipient’s (host) tissues. Approximately 30–60% of allogeneic HCT recipients develop acute GVHD, and roughly half of these patients will become refractory to systemic steroid therapy. Despite overall improvements in other HCT outcomes, GVHD remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in allogeneic HCT recipients, highlighting the urgent need for effective new therapies.

Kevin Caldwell, Ossium’s Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder, said, “We’re thrilled to partner with CIRM and appreciate their ongoing commitment to advancing research in stem cell-based therapeutics. This grant will accelerate Ossium’s development of OSSM-007 and is a crucial step towards a powerful new treatment option for patients with GVHD.”

About Ossium Health

Ossium Health is a bioengineering company that leverages its unique deceased donor bone marrow banking platform to make cell therapies that are being evaluated as treatments for hematologic diseases, organ rejection, and orthopedic trauma. Founded in 2016, the company is led by its co-founders: President & CEO Kevin Caldwell and EVP & Chief Science Officer Erik Woods. The company’s mission is to improve the health, vitality, and longevity of human beings through bioengineering. Learn more about Ossium at ossiumhealth.com.

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