Creative Medical Technology Holdings Achieves Second WHO INN Milestone, Strengthening Global Regulatory Positioning Across Expanding Cell Therapy Pipeline
Rhea-AI Summary
Creative Medical Technology Holdings (NASDAQ: CELZ) announced a second WHO International Nonproprietary Name (INN) milestone: the WHO published the proposed INN etaroleucel for CELZ-101 in Proposed INN List 134 following the 80th INN Consultation.
The name is entering the formal objection period prior to final confirmation. This follows prior proposed INN olastrocel for CELZ-201 in Proposed INN List 133, reinforcing multi-program regulatory positioning.
Positive
- Second proposed WHO INN achieved for etaroleucel (CELZ-101)
- Demonstrates multi-program regulatory progress across distinct cell therapy platforms
- Prior proposed INN olastrocel (CELZ-201) underscores repeatable WHO engagement
Negative
- Proposed INN etaroleucel is entering a formal objection period pending final confirmation
News Market Reaction
On the day this news was published, CELZ gained 1.58%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
CELZ slipped 1.55% while peers showed mixed moves: ERNA down 11.58%, RNAZ up 24.65%, others near flat. With no clear directional consensus and scanner names split between up and down, trading looked stock-specific rather than a coordinated biotech move.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 13 | Interim trial data | Positive | -11.2% | Strong ADAPT 180-day efficacy and safety data for CELZ-201 in chronic back pain. |
| Jan 06 | Program approval | Positive | +9.3% | Regulatory approval for BioDefense Burn Pit Initiative to expand veteran data collection. |
| Dec 17 | Trial enrollment done | Positive | +1.2% | Completed enrollment in FDA-cleared ADAPT trial for CELZ-201 in back pain. |
| Dec 02 | WHO INN approval | Positive | -11.8% | WHO approved olastrocel as INN for lead allogeneic cell therapy CELZ-201. |
| Oct 30 | Program launch | Positive | -13.0% | Launched BioDefense Veterans Initiative using iPSC and AI for burn pit exposure. |
Positive clinical and regulatory news has often seen mixed-to-negative next-day price reactions for CELZ.
Over the last few months, CELZ has reported multiple positive clinical and regulatory milestones, including completion of ADAPT enrollment on Dec 17, 2025 and strongly positive interim ADAPT data on Jan 13, 2026. WHO INN approval for olastrocel on Dec 2, 2025 and launch/approval steps for the BioDefense burn pit initiative expanded the pipeline. Despite these developments, several announcements were followed by double‑digit percentage declines, underscoring a history of volatile or skeptical market responses to good news.
Regulatory & Risk Context
An effective Form S-3 dated Nov 21, 2025 covers 2,790,340 common shares for resale by existing investors upon warrant exercise. The company will not sell shares directly in this offering and would only receive cash upon warrant exercises. The filing notes that ongoing resale activity by holders could pressure the share price over time.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement highlights CELZ’s second WHO INN achievement, adding etaroleucel for CELZ-101 to prior olastrocel recognition for CELZ-201. These steps support global regulatory positioning across autologous and allogeneic cell therapy programs. Recent filings indicate potential resale activity from warrant-related shares, which could influence trading dynamics. Key metrics to watch include further clinical data, additional regulatory milestones, and updates on commercialization planning for the lead indications.
Key Terms
international nonproprietary name (inn) regulatory
world health organization (who) regulatory
autologous regulatory t-cell (treg) medical
type 1 diabetes medical
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
WHO recognition of “etaroleucel” (CELZ-101) builds on prior “olastrocel” (CELZ-201) milestone, reinforcing platform credibility and supporting multi-program execution
PHOENIX, Feb. 10, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Creative Medical Technology Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: CELZ) (“Creative Medical” or the “Company”), a regenerative medicine company advancing disruptive cell-based therapies for high-unmet-need indications, today announced the achievement of its second International Nonproprietary Name (INN) milestone with the World Health Organization (WHO), marking continued regulatory progress across its expanding clinical pipeline. INNs are assigned by the WHO to uniquely and universally identify pharmaceutical substances and biologics worldwide.
The WHO has published the proposed INN “etaroleucel” for CELZ-101, the Company’s autologous regulatory T-cell (Treg) immunotherapy program, in Proposed INN List 134, following expert review during the 80th WHO INN Consultation (March 18–21, 2025). As part of the standard WHO process, the name is now entering the formal objection period prior to final confirmation.
CELZ-101 (etaroleucel) is designed to induce immune tolerance in complex autoimmune settings, including Type 1 diabetes in the context of pancreatic islet transplantation. The CELZ-101 platform has also been validated in cardiovascular and hepatic clinical applications.
This achievement follows WHO approval of “olastrocel” as the INN for the active cellular substance in CELZ-201, the Company’s lead allogeneic cell therapy also known as AlloStem®. This name was reviewed during the 79th WHO INN Consultation (October 22–25, 2024) and published in Proposed INN List 133, underscoring Creative Medical’s ability to advance multiple, distinct cell therapy programs through internationally recognized regulatory frameworks.
CELZ-201 (olastrocel) is being developed for chronic lower back pain and degenerative disc disease.
CEO Commentary
“Achieving proposed INN status for a second independent clinical program is a powerful validation of both our science and our regulatory execution,” said Timothy Warbington, President and CEO of Creative Medical. “Very few emerging regenerative medicine companies successfully advance multiple platforms through the WHO INN process. The recognition of both olastrocel and etaroleucel highlights the differentiation of our technologies and reflects the growing maturity of our pipeline.”
Warbington continued: “These milestones are not symbolic — they are foundational. INN recognition is essential for global clinical development, regulatory alignment, and eventual commercialization. We believe Creative Medical is building a scalable, internationally credible platform positioned for long-term value creation.”
Momentum Across the Pipeline
With both programs advancing through internationally recognized regulatory pathways, Creative Medical continues to execute on its strategy to translate innovative cell technologies.
About Creative Medical Technology Holdings, Inc.
Creative Medical Technology Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: CELZ) is a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering regenerative medicine therapies derived from adult and perinatal stem cell technologies. The Company’s pipeline targets large, underserved markets across orthopedics, immunotherapy, endocrinology, urology, and gynecology, with a mission to deliver scalable, disease-modifying solutions for patients with high unmet medical needs.
For more information, visit www.creativemedicaltechnology.com
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding clinical development, regulatory strategy and positioning, commercialization potential, and market opportunity. These statements are based on current expectations and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. Factors include clinical trial outcomes, regulatory decisions, manufacturing considerations, competitive dynamics, and market conditions. Please refer to the Company’s filings with the SEC for a discussion of these risks. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required by law.
Investor & Media Contacts
Creative Medical Technology Holdings, Inc.
IR@CreativeMedicalTechnology.com
www.creativemedicaltechnology.com
Investor Relations
Devin Sullivan — The Equity Group Inc.
dsullivan@theequitygroup.com
Conor Rodriguez — The Equity Group Inc.
crodriguez@theequitygroup.com
RedChip Companies
Dave Gentry — CELZ@redchip.com | 1-407-644-4256
Paul Kuntz — paul@redchip.com | 412-708-4590