Asterias Biotherapeutics (AST)

Asterias Biotherapeutics is a mid-clinical stage biotechnology company focused on leveraging its proprietary human embryonic stem cell platform to develop pluripotent oligodendrocyte progenitor cell (OPC) containing lead product, AST-OPC1, as a potential spinal cord injury (SCI) treatment. AST-OPC1 has the potential for restoring lost function in neurodegenerative diseases and the encouraging interim results from ongoing Phase I/II (SCiStar) trial in complete (AIS-A) cervical SCI demonstrated significant restored motor function of the upper extremities. We believe these results provide an important initial clinical proof-of-concept, making the AST-OPC1 in SCI program more de-risked. In addition to several more data readouts of the AST-OPC1 in cervical SCI Phase I/II trial expected over 2017 and 2018, the company could also start a Phase IIb trial in 2018. Additionally, AST is developing two cancer vaccines, AST-VAC1 and AST-VAC2, as potential maintenance therapy for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). AST-VAC1, an allogeneic treatment, is currently in Phase II development; while AST-VAC2, an autologous treatment, is slated for a Phase I/II trial that could start in mid-2017. Should the lead asset, AST-OPC1 become successful as a potential SCI treatment, we believe the drug has the potential to dominate the more severe SCI treatment market, which so far does not have any approved drug.

Published Reports

AST-2018-11-09-Acquired by BioTime
AST-2018-08-10-2Q18
AST-2018-07-17-5th cohort 6-month data
AST-2018-06-19-Mgmt meeting regarding VAC2
AST-2018-04-25-AST-VAC2 is ready
AST-2018-03-16-4Q17
AST-2018-01-05-2018 guidance
AST-2017-11-15-3Q17
AST-2017-09-25-Mgmt. meetings
AST-2017-08-15-2Q17 rev
AST-2017-07-17-Mgmt meeting and cohorts 3 and 4 enrollment completed rev
AST-2017-07-10-SCiStar Study Enrollment Criteria Modifications
AST-2017-07-05-Mgmt
AST-2017-06-13-9-month data showed persistent effect rev
AST-2017-05-24-Mgmt change rev
AST-2017-04-04-Initiation-Final rev