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Spinal Cord InjuryPhase 2NCT06974968

Efficacy of iPSC-Derived Motor Neuron Cells (XS228) in Subacute Spinal Cord Injury: A Phase II Randomized Controlled Trial

A Phase 2 study testing Allogeneic Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (iPSC)-Derived Motor Neuron Progenitor Cells in people with Spinal Cord Injury and Safety, run by XellSmart Bio-Pharmaceutical (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. at 1 site in China.

Not yet recruiting

Opening soon. The study is approved but enrolment has not started yet. Sites may already take enquiries.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

Purpose: This clinical trial is studying an investigational cell therapy called XS228-a lab-made stem cell product designed to help repair damaged nerves in the spinal cord. The goal is to see if XS228 is safe and can improve movement, sensation, and function in people with recent spinal cord injuries. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 65 years
Conditions the study is for
Spinal Cord Injury, Safety, Efficacy
What is being tested?
Allogeneic Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (iPSC)-Derived Motor Neuron Progenitor Cells
Type of treatment
Injection or infusion
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
60 participants
Where
1 siteChina
Study dates
25 May 2028to 26 May 2031
Phase
Phase 2
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 to 65 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Age: 18 to 65 years (inclusive), regardless of gender.
  • Etiology: Cervical (C4) to lumbar (L2) spinal cord injury (SCI) caused by traumatic injury or surgery-related factors.
  • Severity:
  • Classified as ASIA Impairment Scale (AIS) Grades A, B, or C. MRI-confirmed evidence of spinal cord injury.
  • Disease Stage:
  • Primary SCI occurring 14 to 60 days prior to screening (subacute phase).
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  • Contraception:
  • Participants of childbearing potential (male and female) must agree to use effective non-hormonal contraceptive methods during the trial and for 6 months after trial completion.
  • Compliance:
  • Voluntarily participate in the clinical study. Ability to understand and comply with study procedures. Participant or legal guardian can provide written informed consent.

Who cannot join

  • Neurological Inability
  • Primary spinal cord injury (SCI) during screening with concomitant severe traumatic brain injury precluding neurological function assessment.
  • Respiratory/Circulatory Instability
  • High cervical SCI (C1-C3) causing respiratory/circulatory compromise requiring endotracheal intubation or tracheostomy.
  • Life-Threatening Multiorgan Dysfunction
  • Concurrent severe injuries to other organ systems with life-threatening dysfunction.
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  • Unstable Thoracoabdominal Injuries
  • Injuries to lungs, liver, kidneys, spleen, etc., deemed unstable by the investigator.
  • Prior Spinal Pathology
  • History of SCI or coexisting spinal disorders (e.g., ankylosing spondylitis, spinal deformities, primary/metastatic spinal tumors, spinal vascular malformations, syringomyelia).
  • Local Infection/Increased ICP
  • Active infection at the lumbar puncture site or intracranial hypertension during screening.
  • Severe Infections
  • Sepsis, septic shock, or severe pneumonia (per IDSA/ATS 2007 diagnostic criteria).
  • Confounding Neurological/Psychiatric Conditions
  • Parkinson's disease, severe dementia, myasthenia gravis, stroke, Guillain-Barré syndrome, diabetic neuropathy, or other conditions interfering with study assessments.
  • Cardiac Abnormalities (any of the following):
  • Congestive heart failure (NYHA Class III/IV). Severe uncontrolled arrhythmias (e.g., sick sinus syndrome, third-degree AV block).
  • Unstable angina or acute myocardial infarction within 3 months prior. Pulmonary Complications
  • Pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary embolism, or suspected embolism during screening.
  • Uncontrolled Hypertension/Hypotension
  • Systolic BP >160 mmHg or diastolic BP >100 mmHg; or systolic BP <90 mmHg or diastolic BP <60 mmHg.
  • Active Autoimmune Diseases
  • Requiring immunosuppressants (e.g., uncontrolled hyperthyroidism, systemic lupus erythematosus).
  • Immunosuppressant Non-Compliance
  • Unwillingness or inability to use immunosuppressants per protocol.
  • Laboratory Abnormalities (any of the following):
  • ALT/AST >2×ULN or total bilirubin >2×ULN. eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73m² (CKD-EPI 2021 formula). APTT/PT >2.5×ULN (without anticoagulants). Platelets <100×10⁹/L or hemoglobin <90 g/L. Allergy
  • History of severe allergies or hypersensitivity to trial drug/excipients (human albumin, lactated Ringer's solution).
  • Infectious Diseases
  • HBsAg+ with HBV DNA >1000 IU/mL; HCV-Ab+; HIV-Ab+; or TP-Ab+. Lumbar Puncture Refusal
  • Unwillingness to undergo intrathecal administration procedures. Pregnancy/Lactation
  • Females who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Malignancy
  • Active malignancy or anticancer therapy within 5 years prior. Recent Clinical Trial Participation
  • Enrollment in another drug trial within 3 months prior. Investigator Discretion
  • Any condition deemed unsuitable for participation by the investigator

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Mao Pang, prof and M.D contact

+86-020-85252015

pangmao6@mail.sysu.edu.cn

China1 site
  • The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University

    Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510630

    Limin Rong, 02085253333, ronglm@mail.sysu.edu.cn

    Limin Rong, prof and M.D

Other trials in China

About this study

Official title: A Phase II Clinical Study Evaluating the Preliminary Efficacy of Human Allogeneic Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (iPSC)-Derived Motor Neuron Progenitor Cells (XS228 Cell Injection) in Patients With Subacute Spinal Cord Injury

Purpose: This clinical trial is studying an investigational cell therapy called XS228-a lab-made stem cell product designed to help repair damaged nerves in the spinal cord. The goal is to see if XS228 is safe and can improve movement, sensation, and function in people with recent spinal cord injuries.

Study Treatment: XS228 contains specialized nerve-supporting cells derived from human stem cells. These cells are injected into the spinal fluid (intrathecal administration) in a single dose.

Read more

Who Can Join? Adults aged 18-65 with a spinal cord injury (thoracic or lumbar level) that occurred 2-12 weeks before enrollment. Participants must have severe but incomplete paralysis (ASIA Impairment Scale Grade A , B or C).

Study Plan:

Phase II (Main Study): About 60 participants will be randomly assigned to receive either XS228 or a placebo (inactive solution) in a 2:1 ratio.

Follow-up: Patients will be monitored for 1 year, with regular check-ups to assess safety, nerve function, and recovery progress.

What Researchers Are Looking For:

Primary Goal: Measure changes in leg and arm function using the ASIA Motor Score at 6 months.

Secondary Goals:

Improvement in ASIA Impairment Scale (AIS) grade (e.g., from "complete" to "incomplete" paralysis).

Recovery of sensation and bladder/bowel control. Safety (monitoring for side effects like infections or immune reactions). Exploratory Tests: MRI scans and biomarker tests in spinal fluid to see if the treatment helps nerve regrowth.

Why This Study Matters: If successful, XS228 could become the first stem cell therapy to promote meaningful recovery in spinal cord injury patients. Currently, no treatments exist to repair nerve damage-this trial aims to change that.

Read the detailed description

Title: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Phase II Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of XS228 Cell Injection in Patients with Subacute Thoracic or Lumbar SCI

Study Type: Interventional (Clinical Trial) Phase: Phase II Allocation: Randomized (2:1, XS228 vs. Placebo) Masking: Double-blind (Participant, Investigator) Primary Purpose: Treatment

Hypothesis:

XS228 (allogeneic iPSC-derived motor neuron progenitor cells) will demonstrate statistically significant improvement in motor function (ASIA Motor Score) compared to placebo at 6 months post-treatment.

The therapy will exhibit an acceptable safety profile with no dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs).

Intervention Details

Investigational Product:

XS228 Cell Injection: Cryopreserved suspension of optimal dose from Phase I. Placebo: Normal saline with identical packaging/labeling. Administration: 4 intrathecal injection via lumbar puncture (Day 1, Day 15, Day 29 and Day 43).

Concomitant Therapies:

Standard rehabilitation protocols (uniform across sites). Prohibited: Other experimental therapies or stem cell treatments during the study.

Being tested
Allogeneic Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (iPSC)-Derived Motor Neuron Progenitor Cells, Placebo
Keywords
Spinal Cord Injury, Safety, efficacy, clinical trial, Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells, Human motor neuron progenitor, Transplantation, RCT
Medical subject headings
Spinal Cord Injuries

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Allogeneic Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (iPSC)-Derived Motor Neuron Progenitor CellsBiological

    Description:

    XS228 Cell Injection is an investigational, allogeneic cell therapy product composed of motor neuron progenitor cells (MNPCs) derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). This advanced therapy medicinal product (ATMP) is being developed for the treatment of spinal cord injury (SCI) and represents a novel approach in regenerative medicine.

  • PlaceboOther

    Also called Standard rehabilitation protocols

    Standard rehabilitation protocols

Study groups in NCT06974968
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
XS228 Interventional GroupActive comparatorInvestigational Product: XS228 Cell Injection: Cryopreserved suspension of optimal dose from Phase I. Placebo: Normal saline with identical packaging/labeling. Administration: 4 intrathecal injection via lumbar puncture (Day 1, Day 15, Day 29, Day 43).
Receives: Biological: Allogeneic Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (iPSC)-Derived Motor Neuron Progenitor Cells
Placebo Control GroupPlacebo comparatorStandard rehabilitation protocols
Receives: Other: Placebo

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Improvement in ASIA Impairment Scale (AIS) grade

    Measured: Improvement in ASIA Impairment Scale (AIS) grade from baseline at Day 29, Day 90, Day 180, Day 270, and Day 360 after the first dose administration.

Secondary outcomes (4)
  1. Changes in American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Motor Score

    Changes in motor scores assessed by the ASIA score scale (total score range from 0 to 100, higher values represent a better outcome)

    Measured: From baseline at Day 29, Day 90, Day 180, Day 270, and Day 360 after the first dose administration.

  2. Changes in American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Sensory Score

    Changes in sensory scores assessed by the ASIA score scale (total score range from 0 to 224, higher values represent a better outcome)

    Measured: From baseline at Day 29, Day 90, Day 180, Day 270, and Day 360 after the first dose administration.

  3. Changes in Spinal Cord Independence Measure-III (SCIM-III)

    SCIM-III(range: 0-100, with lower score indicating greater disability)

    Measured: From baseline at Day 29, Day 90, Day 180, Day 270, and Day 360 after the first dose administration.

  4. Safety and Tolerability

    Description: Systematic evaluation of:

    Adverse events (AEs) up to 360 days post-infusion Immunogenicity (anti-HLA antibodies, T-cell responses)

    Assessment Methods:

    CTCAE v5.0 grading Neurological monitoring (ISNCSCI exams) CSF analysis for inflammation markers

    Measured: From baseline at Day 29, Day 90, Day 180, Day 270, and Day 360 after the first dose administration.

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted16 May 2025
  2. Study start25 May 2028 (estimated)
  3. Primary completion25 May 2031 (estimated)
  4. Study completion26 May 2031 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase 2
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Double blind
Who is masked
Participant, Investigator
Enrolment
60 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT06974968
Sponsor's protocol ID
XS228-Allo-SCI-CN2-P01
Status last verified
Aug 2025
First submitted
8 May 2025
Last updated
25 Nov 2025
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Undecided: At this stage, the sponsor has not yet finalized a decision regarding the sharing of individual participant data (IPD). The potential risks and benefits of data sharing, including patient privacy, regulatory requirements, and intellectual property considerations, are still under evaluation. A final determination will be made following further internal review and alignment with applicable data protection laws, institutional policies, and ethical guidelines. If IPD sharing is approved in the future, details regarding data accessibility, anonymization methods, and request procedures will be specified in an updated plan.

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 2 study testing Allogeneic Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (iPSC)-Derived Motor Neuron Progenitor Cells in people with Spinal Cord Injury and Safety, run by XellSmart Bio-Pharmaceutical (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. at 1 site in China.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 10 inclusion and 36 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 25 Nov 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in China. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

What does this phase mean?

Phase 2 studies give the treatment to a larger group to see whether it has the intended effect and to keep checking safety.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Michael LEE (+86 21 64027719, CEO@xellsmart.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Improvement in ASIA Impairment Scale (AIS) grade (time frame: Improvement in ASIA Impairment Scale (AIS) grade from baseline at Day 29, Day 90, Day 180, Day 270, and Day 360 after the first dose administration.). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 25 Nov 2025.

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