 NEW YORK, Dec. 17, 2020 GLOBE NEWSWIRE -- Mesoblast Limited Nasdaq:MESO; ASX:MSB today provided an update on the randomized controlled trial of remestemcel-L in ventilator-dependent patients with moderate to severe acute respiratory distress syndrome ARDS due to COVID-19 infection after the Data Safety Monitoring Board DSMB performed a third interim analysis on the trials first 180 patients. The trial was powered to achieve a primary endpoint of 43 reduction in mortality at 30 days for treatment with remestemcel-L on top of maximal care in a trial of 300 patients. This projected mortality reduction was based on pilot data observed during the initial stages of the pandemic when control mortality rates were exceedingly high and prior to new evolving treatment regimens that have reduced disease mortality in ventilated patients. The DSMB reported that there were no safety concerns and noted that the trial is not likely to meet the 30-day mortality reduction endpoint at the planned 300 patient enrolment. The DSMB recommended that the trial complete with the currently enrolled 223 patients, and that all be followed-up as planned. 