Mesoblast Ltd ADR (MESO)

[MinnieM]

$MBLTY - Mesoblast's Strong Cash Position Enables Execution of Late-Stage Clinical Trials

http://online.wsj.com/article/PR-CO-20130829-900121.html

NEW YORK and MELBOURNE, Australia, Aug. 29, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Regenerative medicine company, Mesoblast Limited (ASX:MSB) (OTC ADR:MBLTY), today provided its full year financial results. The Company stated that it had total funds of $315.3 million at 30 June 2013, compared with $205.6 million in the financial year ended 2012. Mesoblast recorded total revenue and other income of $34.7 million (2012: $38.3m) and a loss after tax of $61.7 million (2012:$71.1m) in the 2013 financial year.

Mesoblast's working capital enables the Company to execute additional Phase 3 trials, to broaden its clinical development programs in diseases of inflammation and immunity, to access complementary technologies for product diversification, and to ramp up its commercial manufacturing operations.

Mesoblast Chief Executive Professor Silviu Itescu said: "Our scientific, clinical, and financial strengths will continue to provide marketplace differentiation and position Mesoblast as a leading force in the development of cellular-based therapies for a broad range of intransigent diseases."

Highlights of the financial year ended 30 June 2013 year were:
-- Completed $170 million financing from targeted global financial investors

-- Expanded clinical manufacturing operations to Singapore plant, in addition to continuing operations at United States plant

-- Obtained United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) agreement that clinical manufacturing of cell products at both the Singapore and United
States plants meet FDA requirements for commencing Phase 3 trials, including the congestive heart failure trial

-- Worked closely with commercial partner Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd to finalize the Phase 3 congestive heart failure protocol and associated documentation for regulatory submission to the FDA

-- Obtained positive 12-month results in a Phase 2 trial in lumbar spinal fusion, which will be used in Phase 3 trial discussions with the FDA

-- Obtained positive 6-month interim results in a Phase 2 trial for intervertebral disc repair

-- Completed recruitment in a Phase 2 trial of patients with inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes

-- Received ethics approval and commenced recruitment in an Australian Phase 2 trial for diabetic nephropathy

-- Received clearance from the FDA and commenced recruitment in a Phase 2 trial in rheumatoid arthritis patients who have failed biologic therapies

-- Continued to strengthen intellectual property portfolio, with key patents being granted in Japan, China and the United States.