Research Update

RNS Number:9610J
ReNeuron Holdings PLC
11 April 2003

11th April 2003



ReNeuron's Research Programme Not Affected by European Parliament Vote on Stem
Cell Research



ReNeuron has noted yesterday's vote by MEPs against the use of embryonic stem
cells (ESC's) in research and for special rules for the use of human foetal
tissue.  Both votes were taken on amendments tabled to the Human Tissue and
Cells Safety Directive.



The Company's human stem cell programmes use human foetal stem cells obtained
from therapeutic terminations of pregnancy, not ESC's and is consequently not
impacted by the vote on ESC's.  Furthermore, ReNeuron believes the Company
already complies with the proposed requirements for the use of foetal tissue.
As a result, the directors believe that ReNeuron's research will not be
adversely affected by the proposed legislation covering the use of human foetal
tissue for research should it become law.



ReNeuron is developing cell transplantation therapies to treat patients
suffering from Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, stroke and other
diseases of the brain.  ReNeuron uses a tiny sample of human foetal brain as
starting material to create brain stem cell lines, each of which has the
potential to treat many hundreds of patients.  The Company's cell lines are
immortalised with a conditional c-Myc gene which ensures that the stem cells
retain genetic stability as they divide, a pre-requisite for cell
transplantation.



ReNeuron has now manufactured large numbers of cell lines with this proprietary
technology and has shown that these cells readily differentiate into mature
brain cells in vitro and survive well in vivo.  The Company believes that this
technology gives it a strong patent position and that its progress to date now
places it ahead of many of its competitors in the field of cell transplantation
therapy, where in particular the requirement for genetically stable cell lines
is paramount.



The Cells and Tissue Directive will establish important quality and safety
standards for cell transplantation therapies.  However, the Company believes in
the broad potential of stem cell research for therapeutic purposes and is
disappointed to see attempts in the European parliament to limit research into
ESC's.  ReNeuron will join with the UK scientific community in seeking to ensure
that such amendments do not become law and that the UK remains a leading country
for stem cell research.





For further information:



Martin Edwards, Chief Executive Officer
ReNeuron Holdings PLC              44 (0)1483 302560 or (0) 7773 429380



Anna Rainbow
Smithfield Financial               44 (0)20 7360 4900



Note to editors:

ReNeuron Holdings PLC is a UK bio-pharmaceutical company developing proprietary
treatments for neurological disorders.  Its focus is developing innovative
neural stem cell technology that has the potential to treat brain diseases
including stroke, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.  The Company is
also exploiting the use of its stem cell lines as a drug discovery platform
through its ReNcell product, which is marketed to pharmaceutical companies and
academia for use as a drug discovery tool and for general research.

In addition to its stem cell programmes, ReNeuron is also developing more
conventional drugs targeting diseases of the nervous system.   ReNeuron has
in-licensed two protein-based therapeutics, ReN1820 and ReN1826, which are
currently in pre-clinical development.

References to 'ReNeuron' or 'the Company' relate to ReNeuron Holdings plc and
its subsidiary undertakings.


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