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Kuala Lumpur, 1 June 2022 – CELLAAX Malaysia, a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the research and development of cellular therapy, recently completed its Phase 1 clinical trials to treat Retinitis Pigmentosa – a form of hereditary blindness that affects approximately two million people worldwide. The Phase 1 clinical trials which comprised 2 case studies, began in November 2020 and has since delivered promising results to move to phase 2 clinical trials.

The trials were led by Dato Dr. Nor Shahidah Khairullah MBBS( Mal) FRCPath( UK)1, Datuk Dr. Nor Fariza Ngah MBBS (Mal) ,MSOph( UKM), Dr. Roslin Azni Abdul Aziz MD(USM), MSOph(UKM) of Hospital Shah Alam and Ms. Angelina Tiah BSC( USA).

Retinitis Pigmentosa is a debilitating condition which affects vision. Patients that suffer from retinitis pigmentosa gradually succumb to complete vision loss. “Currently, there is no cure for this condition. Our goal is to utilise cell-based therapies to prevent further vision loss” said Angelina Tiah, Chief Scientist at CELLAAX.

“REPAAX is our first in man treatment in Malaysia. We pride ourselves on innovation and we are certain with the promising outlook of the Phase 1 clinical trials that we are closer to delivering vision saving treatments to patients in the near future” continued Angelina Tiah.

REPAAX uses mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) which contain immunomodulatory properties and paracrine effects which can potentially restore photoreceptor cells; cells which are responsible for attaining the ability to see. In Retinitis Pigmentosa, there is a significant loss of these cells which leads to permanent loss of vision.

“We set up a case study to find out whether patients would benefit from the inherent properties of stem cells. We recruited two patients whom have long term Retinitis Pigmentosa. In our study, we administered Wharton-Jelly derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells (WJ-MSC) via injection into each eye”, said Professor Dato Dr. Nor Shahidah Khairullah.

“Our report indicates one patient showed the ability to identify and appreciate colours which he was not able to distinguish previously. After REPAAX treatment, patients can now enjoy the colourful world with more definitive brightness, improvement in vision precision on estimated distance and incoming vehicles in real road conditions and a clearer vision daily especially during first half of the day” continued Professor Dato Dr. Nor Shahidah Khairullah.

“Regenerative medicine is the heart of what we do here at CELLAAX. As a company focused on the research and development of cellular therapy, we want to continue pushing boundaries and leading in new discoveries”, said Angelina Tiah.

Stem cell-based therapies are at the forefront of research in the field of regenerative medicine due to their therapeutic potential in treating various illnesses and defects.

CELLAAX is spearheading various clinical trials alongside their strategic partner 23 Century International Life Science Centre to bring promising breakthroughs in cellular therapy.

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