TSL Thinksmart Limited

RNS Number:9453T
Tissue Science Laboratories PLC
29 March 2007



29 March 2007

                         Tissue Science Laboratories plc

           Proof of Principle established for Porcine Ligament Graft


Tissue Science Laboratories plc (LSE: TSL), the medical technology company
specialising in biologic tissue replacement and repair products, is pleased to
announce that initial assessments of in-vivo functional studies with our
ligament grafts have now completed.


Following earlier successful biomechanical testing of TSL processed porcine
ligament grafts, the proof of principle study involved full reconstruction of
sheep anterior cruciate ligaments (ACL) using TSL processed porcine ligament
grafts and the subsequent follow-up of the animals through the initial healing
phase. The study has demonstrated excellent biocompatibility and biomechanical
performance, with the animals regaining function of their reconstructed knee
joints (ACL function). X-rays of the reconstructed joints confirmed and further
indicated that joint structure was anatomically correct.


We are seeking to develop a porcine derived ligament that retains strength, post
processing and sterilisation, for cruciate ligament and other tendon/ligament
repairs. In the US alone there are some 250,000 anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)
repair procedures per annum, 80,000 of which require reconstructive surgery.


The success of the pre-clinical proof of principle ligament study follows the
excellent progress made in TSL's other R&D projects for the development of
porcine derived bone and vascular grafts. These projects achieved proof of
principle in September 2006 and January 2007 respectively.


Commenting on today's announcement, Martin Hunt, Chief Executive of TSL said:


"When we set out our plans for research into these three new tissue projects to
shareholders in the spring of 2005, we set some very ambitious targets of
demonstrating proof of principle within two years. It is very pleasing to be
able to report that all three projects have achieved this objective on or ahead
of plan.


"What we did not expect, but are clearly very excited about, is that the studies
would also produce such interesting data, which we believe we can use to
establish new intellectual property ("IP") positions around our core technology.


Our immediate next step, therefore, is to progress the work required to secure
and protect this new IP and to lock in this potential value for shareholders. L
onger term, we have already commenced work to assess the range of funding
options that are open to us and which would enable the progression of these
projects through to the next stage of their clinical and commercial development.
Such options are clearly influenced by the strength of our IP position. We
anticipate being in a position to provide a further update on this at the
interim results in September."



                                     -Ends-


Enquiries:

TSL plc                                         Tel: 01252 369 603
                                                --------------------
Martin Hunt, Chief Executive                    www.tissuescience.com
                                                -----------------------
David Jennings, Finance Director
                                                                             

Hogarth Partnership Limited                     Tel: 020 7357 9477
James Longfield / Sarah Richardson




                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

END
MSCUWSWRBRROUAR

Grafico Azioni Thinksmart (LSE:TSL)
Storico
Da Giu 2024 a Lug 2024

Grafico Azioni Thinksmart (LSE:TSL)
Storico
Da Lug 2023 a Lug 2024