UCLA

HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesized that Lomecel-B, an allogeneic medicinal signaling cell (MSC) therapeutic candidate for Alzheimer's disease (AD), is safe and potentially disease-modifying via pleiotropic mechanisms of action. KEY PREDICTIONS: We prospectively tested the predictions that Lomecel-B administration to mild AD patients is safe (primary endpoint) and would provide multiple exploratory indications of potential efficacy in clinical and biomarker domains (prespecified secondary/exploratory endpoints). STRATEGY AND KEY RESULTS: Mild AD patient received a single infusion of low- or high-dose Lomecel-B, or placebo, in a double-blind, randomized, phase I trial. The primary safety endpoint was met. Fluid-based and imaging biomarkers indicated significant improvement in the Lomecel-B arms versus placebo. The low-dose Lomecel-B arm showed significant improvements versus placebo on neurocognitive and other assessments. INTERPRETATION: Our results support the safety of Lomecel-B for AD, suggest clinical potential, and provide mechanistic insights. This early-stage study provides important exploratory information for larger efficacy-powered clinical trials.