Phase 1/2a Clinical Trial to Assess the Safety of HB-adMSCs for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Hope Biosciences is conducting a research study of an investigational product called Hope Biosciences autologous adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (abbreviated as HB-adMSCs) as a possible treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). The study purpose is to evaluate the safety profile of a single IV infusion of HB-adMSCs in subjects with clinical diagnosis of RA.

This is a Phase 1/2a, open-label, single-dose study in subjects with active Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). 12-15 patients will be enrolled for the study. The overall objective of this study is to evaluate the safety profile of a single IV infusion of autologous adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (HB-adMSCs) in subjects with clinical diagnosis of RA. The primary endpoint of this study is to measure the number and frequency of adverse event(s) and/or severe adverse event(s) throughout the study duration. The second endpoint of this study is to evaluate the ability of HB-adMSCs to alter RA-related inflammation via measuring levels of Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF-a), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-Reactive Protein (CRP), Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) and Joint Count 66/68 after a single infusion of autologous HB-adMSCs for up to 12-month post-infusion.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Adult male or female between the ages of 18 and 65
* Patients have active RA as confirmed by the following criteria:

  * ≥ 6 swollen joints and ≥ 6 tender joints at screening (68-joint count)
  * Abnormal CRP result OR abnormal ESR result at screening. Abnormal CRP result at screening OR abnormal ESR defined as:
  * CRP \> 4.9 mg/L or ESR \> 10mm/hr for men, \> 20mm/hr for women
* Patients without current established treatment, or if being treated, patients who are on a stable dose of RA therapy regimen for ≥ 4 weeks prior to screening

Exclusion Criteria:

* Inability to understand and provide signed informed consent

  * Pregnancy, lactation, or, if female of childbearing potential, positive serum β-hCG at screening.
  * Currently diagnosed any malignant neoplasm. Any patient who was successfully treated for cancer and has been disease-free, with no recurrence, for at least 5 years, will be considered.
  * Uncontrolled systemic illness, including, but not limited to: hypertension (systolic \>150 mm Hg or diastolic \>95 mm Hg); diabetes; renal, hepatic, or cardiac failure or any laboratory abnormality that poses a safety risk to the subject such as:

    * Hemoglobin ≤8.5 g/dL
    * White blood cells (WBCs) ≤3,500/mm3 (3.5 G/L)
    * Any other illness which, in the opinion of the investigator, characterizes the subject as not being a good candidate for the study
  * Participation in another study with an investigational drug or device within 4 weeks prior to treatment or 5 half-lives of the investigational product used (whichever is longer).
  * Positive results of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb), hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb), hepatitis C antibody (HCV Ab), and/or human immunodeficiency virus antibody (HIV Ab) tests at screening (excluding patients who are tested positive for HBsAb alone due to a hepatitis B vaccination).
  * Positive history of Treponema pallidum.