Safety and Exploratory Efficacy of Transplantation Therapy Using PSA-NCAM(+) NPC in AIS-A Level of Sub-acute SCI

This study intends to evaluate the safety and exploratory efficacy of transplantation therapy using neural precursor cells (PSA-NCAM(+) NPC) derived from the human embryonic stem cell line for the treatment of paralysis and other related symptoms from sub-acute spinal cord injury.

Subjects with damage to C4-C7 cords diagnosed as AIS-A are administered with PSA-NCAM(+) NPC.

For evaluation of safety and exploratory efficacy, 2 to 6 subjects will be enrolled depending on the presentation of dose-limiting toxicity.

When the Dose Limiting Toxicity (DLT) is not presented in the first three subjects administered with PSA-NCAM(+) NPC, two additional patients are added to the clinical study. When the DLT is presented in two or more of the first three patients, the clinical study is discontinued; when the DLT is presented in one of the three patients, three additional new patients are added. In case of presentation of the DLT in at least one of the three additional patients, the study is discontinued; the clinical study is continued only when the DLT is not presented in all three patients.

Screening visit (Visit 1), surgery and recovery visit (Visit 2 to Visit 6), follow-up visit (Visit 7 to Visit 8 + phone screening I, II, III), additional visit (Visit 9 to Visit 10), and close-out visit (Visit 11) are conducted. A clinical study period of at least 68 weeks is secured after Visit 6 (at least 5 visits and 3 phone screenings).

All subjects are to be conducted of follow-up study of a period of 1 year and 5 months at Weeks 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, and 72 after surgery.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Upon written consent of the patient or the legally acceptable representative of the patient
2. Male and female patients 18 to 65 years of age
3. Female patients who showed negative results on the pregnancy test, use an acceptable contraceptive or have no possibility of pregnancy (at least 2 years have elapsed after menopause or have undergone hysterectomy, ovariectomy, or sterilization operation), or male patients who have received vasectomy or are willing to use contraceptives for up to 90 days after administration of the investigational product using a dual contraceptive method\*

   \*Dual contraceptive method: Method of using multiple contraceptives, such as using a cervical cap or contraceptive diaphragm in addition to a condom for males
4. Patients who are capable of being administered with the investigational product on Day 7 to 60 after spinal cord injury
5. Patients who have been confirmed to have spinal cord injury classified as AIS-A on ISNCSCI, SCIM and/or MRI by the investigator, physiatrist, or other spinal cord injury specialist
6. Patients whose ASIA Impairment Scale (AIS) satisfies AIS-A criteria (spinal segment within C4-C7, complete injury)

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patients with spinal cord injury caused by penetrating trauma such as gunshot or stab wounds
2. Patients with complete transection on the spinal cord
3. Patients with spinal cord injury that require more than the mono-segment treatment
4. Patients with other complications, including neurological defects related to peripheral nerve injury (neuromuscular injury or central spinal cord syndrome), or etiological causes of paraplegia or sensorimotor defects related to an additional underlying condition
5. Patients with multiple lesions or lesions longer than 2 cm in length found on MRI examination
6. Patients administered with cells excluding blood transfusion before participating in the clinical study
7. Patients with the following intercurrent diseases or conditions:

   1. Coagulopathy with INR\> 1.4 at the time of administration of the investigational product (Day 0)
   2. Active infection
   3. Active hypotension requiring vasoconstrictor treatment (less than 60 mmHg of diastolic blood pressure)
   4. Rupture of the skin on the area of surgery
   5. Medical history of malignant tumor
   6. Primary or secondary immunodeficiency
   7. Clinically significant abnormal values discovered as a result of laboratory tests

      * Creatinine \> 1.5 mg/dL
      * When the level found in the liver-function examination is more than twice the upper limit of the normal level
      * Hematocrit/hemoglobin \<30%/10 g/dL
      * Total WBC \< 1000/μL
      * Uncontrolled hypertension (systole\> 180 mmHg or diastole\> 100 mmHg)
      * Uncontrolled diabetes (HbA1c\> 8%)
      * Evidence of GI bleeding on the stool guaiac test
      * Positive on tuberculosis test (However, a chest X-ray may be performed if found positive on the TB test, and the patient may be enrolled upon no findings that suggest active tuberculosis on the chest X-ray.)
      * Hepatitis B or C
      * Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
   8. Substance abuse or alcoholism
   9. Unstable or untreated psychiatric disorder
8. Patients with known hypersensitivity to basiliximab, tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, methylprednisolone, or prednisone
9. Patients incapable of receiving physical therapy or combination therapy
10. Patients incapable of going under general anesthesia due to other reasons
11. Patients judged unsuitable for participation in this clinical study by the investigator