ReNeuron reported on Monday positive results in preclinical trials of its lead line of stem cells for Peripheral arterial disease (PAD).

PAD affects at least one in 20 people over the age of 55 and is commonly associated with other conditions such as diabetes, obesity and stroke.

In rodent tests the cells were seen to generate “significant” recovery of blood flow in an affected limb, ReNeuron said.

“This work will ... give us a significant advantage as we look to move this cell line forward to the clinic as a non patient-specific therapeutic candidate for Peripheral arterial disease,” said Chief Scientific Officer John Sinden in a statement.

PAD and retinal diseases are key targets for the company alongside strokes for which the company got UK approval to start human trials in January.

Stem cells operate as “master cells” in the body that scientists hope to coax into repairing damaged tissue, but getting regulators to approve tests on humans has proved difficult because the technology is so new.

LONDON (Reuters)