** Biotech company Humacyte's HUMA.O shares rise ~44.2% to $4.99 premarket

** HUMA, late on Thursday, said the U.S. FDA approved its implant Symvess for patients with extreme blood vessel injury

** The approval was based on clinical tests where Symvess showed high rates of blood flow and low rates of infection

** HUMA says the implant can be used as a channel in patients who need to have their blood flow restored to avoid imminent limb loss

** Up to last close, stock up 21.8% YTD

(Reporting by Christy Santhosh)

((Christy.Santhosh@thomsonreuters.com))