Tengion, a tissue-engineering company associated with the Wake Forest University Institute for Regenerative Medicine, will begin its third Phase II clinical trial of its Neo-Bladder Augment derived from a patient's own (autologous) cells.
The U.S.-based study is being conducted at five hospitals in 10 adult patients with non-neurogenic over-active bladder who are intolerant or not adequately responsive to medical treatment.
Tengion, which has a research office, a development laboratory and a pilot manufacturing facility in Winston-Salem, is expanding its presence in the Piedmont Triad. Piedmont Triad Research Park officials in December chose the Pennsylvania-based company as a tenant to occupy the Wet Lab Launch Pad project in downtown Winston-Salem.
On the financial side, Tengion received a $33 million Series C financing in October. The money will also accelerate expansion of Tengion's regenerative medicine platform into the development of other autologous organs and tissues in the genitourinary and cardiovascular systems.