Sernova Corp. announced new preclinical data for its novel cell therapy platform, the Cell Pouch System, as a potential treatment for post-operative hypothyroidism at the 2023 American Thyroid Association (ATA) Annual Meeting being held in Washington, D.C., from September 27, 2023 to October 1, 2023. Key insights from the poster: After total thyroidectomy, re-implantation of thyroid tissue into the pre-vascularized Cell Pouch?

resulted in the restoration of the two main thyroid hormones, i.e., free thyroxine (FT4) and triiodothyronine (T3), to the baseline levels. Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels had a significant peak immediately after thyroidectomy, with a gradual decline observed starting five weeks after the re-implantation of thyroid glands. This pattern underscores the re-establishment of the intrinsic thyroid feedback loop's impact.

Newly reported radio-isotope uptake imaging and histology assessments confirmed the presence of healthy and functional thyroid tissues within the Cell Pouch six months following re-implantation. Approximately 150,000 thyroidectomies are performed annually in the U.S. alone, representing a significant market opportunity. Sernova?s potential first-generation product would utilize healthy tissue from the patient?s own gland removed during thyroidectomy for benign disease.

This therapeutic approach would negate the need for immune suppression medication. A second-generation stem cell-derived technology could potentially be used to treat the broader population with hypothyroid disease.