Genzyme backs Osiris, despite Prochymal flop.

The article reports on the decision of Genzyme to continue supporting Osiris in pursuing the use of its Prochymal mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy in cardiac and autoimmune diseases. The results of the third and fourth clinical trials in the phase 3 studies for Prochymal in severe refractory graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) were said to be disappointing. Based on the article, the trials of Prochymal in Crohn's disease and in chronic obstructive pulmonary (COPD) were also discontinued because the placebo groups did better than expected. Randy Mills of Osiris comments on the results of the clinical trials.