Hemophilia A is a genetic disorder that results in a deficiency in the production of the Factor VIII (fVIII) protein in the blood. Factor VIII is a key protein in the coagulation or blood-clotting pathway. Hemophilia A affects 1:5000 males world-wide. Among patients with less than 1% of normal fVIII activity, the disease is typically treated with infusions of human fVIII protein at a cost exceeding $100,000 per year.

LG889 is a cell therapy consisting of CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells that are treated ex vivo with a Lentiviral delivery system expressing Factor VIII protein. CD34+ cells that are isolated from the patient by a standard apharesis procedure are then treated with LG889 and then re-infused into the patient. CD34+ stem cells differentiate into the hematopoietic cells, which secrete fVIII into the bloodstream and alleviate the deficiency and disease.

Lentigen has entered into collaboration with Expression Therapeutics, Inc. to co-develop the therapy. In addition, Lentigen has also entered into collaboration with Emory University for the clinical development of LG889.

LG889 is currently undergoing preclinical testing with phase I studies are anticipated to commence in 2010. Information on the clinical trial can be found here.