ViaCell expands ViaCyte trial

ViaCell Inc. said today that it expects to expand its clinical trial to evaluate its ViaCyte product for cryopreserving and thawing a woman's egg for reproductive purposes.

The Cambridge company said it expects to expand the number of US clinical sites participating in its trial from three to eight.

The Food and Drug Administration has approved ViaCell's investigational device exemption supplement supporting the expansion of its US clinical trial sites, the company said.

The trial began in March and is expected to be completed in 2009, the company said.

"Egg freezing is an emerging area, and we believe we are on the forefront of offering a technology to women who need to extend or protect their fertility," chief executive Marc D. Beer said in a statement.
(By Chris Reidy, Globe staff)