Stem Cells for the Treatment of Crohn's Disease
Published: 05/12/2026
General Information:
The purpose of this study is to investigate the efficacy & safety of intravenous infusions of allogeneic (from an approved donor) HB-adMSCs (adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells) vs placebo in patients with Crohn's Disease.
Eligibility:
Inclusion:
- Male and female patients who arebetween 18 & 65 years old.
- Must be diagnosed with Crohn's Disease at least 6 months prior to the screening visit, as verified by one or more of the following diagnostic criteria present in the participant's medical records:
- Clinical presentation of symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, weight loss, fever, and fatigue
- Radiologic Findings within 3 years of screening date: Imaging studies like CT scans or MRI scans of the abdomen and pelvis that indicate bowel wall thickening, strictures, fistulas, and abscesses characteristic of Crohn's disease
- Histologic Findings within 3 years of screening date: Microscopic examination of tissue biopsies that indicate transmural inflammation with lymphoid infiltrates
- Clinical presentation of symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, weight loss, fever, and fatigue
- Patients without a current established treatment for Crohn's Disease, or if being treated, patients who are on a stable dose of Crohn's Disease therapy regimen for ≥3 months prior to screening.
- Patients must be willing to maintain their established treatment for Crohn's Disease (or lack thereof) for the duration of the study.
- Patients must be able to provide the latest (specifically, within 3 years of screening date) diagnostic imaging records for their Crohn's Disease (including but not limited to endoscopy, colonoscopy, MRI scans, ultrasounds, etc.)
- Female study patients of childbearing potential should not be pregnant or plan to become pregnant during study participation and for 6 months after the last investigational product administration. Female study patients of childbearing potential must confirm usage of one of the following contraceptive measures:
- Hormonal contraceptives associated with ovulation inhibition (oral, injectable, implantable, patch, or intravaginal).
- Intrauterine device (IUD), or intrauterine hormone-releasing system (IUS).
- Barrier contraceptive methods (condoms, diaphragm, etc.). OR Male patients if their sexual partners can become pregnant should ensure the use one of the following methods of contraception during study participation and for 6 months after the last administration of the investigated product:.
- Hormonal contraceptives associated with ovulation inhibition (oral, injectable, implantable, patch, or intravaginal).
- Study patients are able and willing to comply with the requirements of this clinical trial.
- Voluntarily signed informed consent from study patient or legally authorized representative obtained before any clinical-trial related procedures are performed.
Exclusion:
- Exclusion of other conditions: Differential diagnoses, such as ulcerative colitis, infectious enterocolitis, and drug-induced colitis, must be excluded through appropriate evaluation
- Study participant has any vital sign abnormalities at the screening visit as determined by the investigator.
- Study patient has certain cardiovascular issues
- History of recent (6 months from screening visit) pulmonary embolism or DVT
- Study patient has 1 or more significant uncontrolled concurrent medical conditions (verified by medical records), including the following:
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Lupus
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Study patient has any active malignancy, including evidence of cutaneous basal, squamous cell carcinoma or melanoma.
- Study patient has a history of cancer within 5 years of screening visit (unless curatively treated and without recurrence)
- Study patient has known alcoholic addiction or dependency or has current substance use or abuse.
- Receiving any investigational therapy or any approved therapy for investigational use within 1 year prior first dose of the investigational product other than COVID-19 vaccines.
- Study patient has any other laboratory abnormality or medical condition which, in the opinion of the investigator, poses a safety risk or will prevent the patient from completing the study.
- Study patient unable to understand and provide signed informed consent.
- Study patient unlikely to complete the study or adhere to the study procedures.
- Study patient with known concurrent acute or chronic viral hepatis B or C or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.
- Study patient with any systemic infection requiring treatment with antibiotics, antivirals, or antifungals within 30 days prior to first dose of the investigational product.
- Female patients who plan to donate eggs or undergo in vitro fertilization treatment during the study within 6 months after the last infusion. OR Male patients who plan to donate sperm during the study within 6 months after the last infusion.
* Other inclusion/exclusion criteria will be described discussed upon enrollment.
Study Details:
Study description/explanation of participation:
Randomized, double-blind, efficacy and safety study of allogeneic (donor derived) HB-adMSCs (adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells) vs placebo for the treatment of Crohn's Disease. The length of the study will be 52 weeks total with a 16 week treatment period.
Description of treatment or intervention (mechanism of action):
6 intravenous (within a vein) infusions
Possible risks and side effects:
Some mild side effects have been noted in previous experiences with the investigational product in other clinical indications which include fatigue, headache, or flu-like symptoms (fever, chills) during or after an infusion.
Risks of intravenous (within a vein) infusions:
- Occasionally: Slight discomfort, bruising, and pain on the site of infusion.
- Rarely: Inflammation of the area of infusion, phlebitis (inflammation in vein), metabolic disturbances, catheter, or air embolism (air causing a blockage in blood vessels), venous puncture, irregular heartbeat, and venous thrombosis (blood clot in veins).
- Very Rarely: Severe allergic reaction, anaphylaxis, infection, cardiac arrest, respiratory distress, pulmonary embolism (blood clot in lungs) and death.
None of the very rare intravenous infusion risks have been observed.
There have been no serious adverse events determined to be related to the investigational product in any case thus far.