Category Archives: Stem Cell Human Trials

MARLBOROUGH, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. (ACT; OTCBB: ACTC or the Company), a leader in the field of regenerative medicine, today announced treatment of the fifth and sixth patients in the companys European clinical trial for Stargardts Macular Dystrophy (SMD) using retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), completing the second patient cohort. The patients were injected with 100,000 hESC-derived RPE cells, as compared to 50,000 cells in the first cohort. The outpatient transplantation surgeries were performed successfully and the patients are recovering uneventfully. Having completed the second, higher-dose patient cohort in all three of our clinical trials in the U.S. and Europe, we are now officially at the halfway point in all three, which we find very gratifying, commented Gary Rabin, chairman and CEO of ACT. We have been able to add new trials sites and consequently to quicken the pace of patient enrollment in our ongoing trials. We feel this should also serve to hasten the pace at which we are able to complete the second half of the trials. The E.U. clinical trial is one of the three trials being carried out by the company in the U.S. and Europe. Each … Continue reading →

ROCKVILLE, Md., Dec. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Neuralstem, Inc. (NYSE MKT: CUR) announced that Jonathon Glass, MD, Director of the Emory ALS Center, presented new data from the Phase I trial of Neuralstem's human spinal cord stem cells, NSI-566, in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease) at the International Symposium on ALS/MND in Chicago, sponsored by the Motor Neurone Disease Association. In a Thursday presentation, "RESULTS OF PHASE 1 TRIAL OF SPINAL CORD TRANSPLANTATION OF NEURAL PROGENITOR CELLS IN ALS (THE NEURALSTEM, INC. TRIAL)," Dr. Glass revealed that researchers were able to establish the long-term survival of Neuralstem's transplanted spinal cord stem cells in autopsied patients, through a technology called DNA fingerprinting. Dr. Glass, who is the principal site investigator of the trial at Emory, also announced that the study team has received a grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to cover a majority of the cost of an upcoming Phase II trial. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20061221/DCTH007LOGO ) "We are quite pleased by our ability to perform all of the surgeries planned for the Phase I trial without evidence of significant surgical or medical complications, including those patients who received both lumbar and cervical transplantations," said Dr. Glass. "We … Continue reading →

LOS ANGELES (AP) California has transformed into a powerhouse player in stem cell research, but the taxpayer-funded institute responsible for that needs an overhaul, a report released Thursday found. The review by the Institute of Medicine lauded the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine for making the state a leader in the field by funneling research money with an eye toward stem cell therapies. But the report found too many members of the governing board represented schools that won funding and recommended a restructuring to avoid the appearance of conflict of interest. California voters in 2004 passed Proposition 71, a state ballot initiative that created CIRM, at a time when there were federal restrictions on human embryonic stem cell research and such work was opposed by some on religious and moral grounds because embryos have to be destroyed to harvest the cells. The agency was given broad power to distribute $3 billion in bond proceeds to promising research. So far, it has awarded $1.3 billion to nearly five dozen universities that went mostly to new buildings and basic research. The team of experts that reviewed the stem-cell agency's operations did not judge the merits of individual studies because it would have … Continue reading →

LOS ANGELES (AP) California has transformed into a major player in stem cell research, but the taxpayer-funded institute responsible has "significant deficiencies" in how research dollars are distributed, experts said Thursday. A report by the Institute of Medicine found too many members on the board of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine represented schools that won funding and recommended a restructuring to avoid the appearance of conflict of interest. California voters in 2004 approved Proposition 71, a state ballot initiative that created CIRM, at a time when there were federal restrictions on human embryonic stem cell research and such work was opposed by some on religious and moral grounds because embryos have to be destroyed to harvest the cells. The agency was given broad power to distribute $3 billion in bond proceeds to promising research. So far, it has distributed more than $1 billion to some five dozen universities that went mostly toward investments in new buildings and basic research. The team of 13 experts that reviewed the stem-cell agency's operations did not judge the merits of individual studies because that was outside the scope of the report and it would have been too time-consuming and costly. But they raised … Continue reading →

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/6kl7tg/stem_cell_and) has announced the addition of the "Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine" book to their offering. The potential use of stem cells in transplantation for the purpose of tissue regeneration is an exciting area of research currently undergoing rapid development. Implantation of human embryonic or autologous, ex vivo-expanded adult stem cells, particularly in older individuals, could circumvent the limited availability of organs/tissues as well as prevent complications related to immune rejection and disease transmission. Musculoskeletal tissue degeneration is closely associated with aging. Strategies employing autologous adult MSCs from older individuals for transplantation in order to regenerate their own ailing organ or tissues require that we vigorously define MSCs capacity to maintain growth potential and differentiation potential into the desirable cell lineages. We are currently restricted by the limited knowledge about physical parameters, such as biomechanical forces, that influence MSC growth and differentiation capacities. This is particularly important for MSCs isolated from older individuals, for whom little information is available. This special volume aims to serve as an impetus in generating more interest among stem cell researchers and biotechnologists to improve and develop the cell-based therapies of damaged tissue using stem cells. Topics Covered: Foreword Preface … Continue reading →

MARLBOROUGH, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. (ACT; OTCBB: ACTC or the Company), a leader in the field of regenerative medicine, announced today that the company is a sponsor of the 2012 World Stem Cell Summit , Dec. 3-5 at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida. The Company will host an Experts Luncheon and chairman and CEO Gary Rabin and director of business development Matthew Vincent, Ph.D., will also serve on panels at the event. On Monday, Dec. 3, Dr. Vincent will host a Conversation with Experts Luncheon at which he will meet with conference attendees to discuss the Companys programs and the future of regenerative medicine and stem cell therapies. Also on Monday, Dec. 3, at 4:00 p.m. EST Dr. Vincent will serve on a panel titled Understanding the Legal and Policy Challenges to Stem Cell Research and on Tuesday, Dec. 4, at 10:30 a.m. EST Mr. Rabin will be part of a Clinical Trial Update session, providing an update on the Companys three ongoing human clinical trials for dry age-related macular degeneration (dry AMD) and Stargardts disease using human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. The full conference agenda is … Continue reading →

Company's ability to do something nobody has done before confirms world-leader status. Scottsdale, AZ (PRWEB) November 30, 2012 In the companys news yesterday, International Stem Cell Corp. has achieved a critical milestone towards the clinical development of its non-embryonic stem cell therapy. Through much dedication and hard work, the companys research and development team has created the worlds first human clinical-grade stem cell lines that can be immune-match to millions of individuals. ISCOs existing research-grade parthenogenetic stem cell lines, one of which may be an immune-match to approximately 70 million people, are being used in pre-clinical development. ISCO is now in a position to conduct clinical trials in the United States. Weve been working diligently for three years to perfect this technology, which was first developed by our scientific founder, Dr. Elena Revazova in Moscow, and Im excited to report that we have been able to derive new stem cell lines in the United States under the US and California regulatory frameworks. Im optimistic that the new parthenogenetic stem cell lines, by providing a potentially unlimited supply of cells and tissue for transplantation, will be of great benefit to the medical community and patients world-wide, stated Dr. Semechkin, CEO and … Continue reading →

MARLBOROUGH, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. (ACT; OTCBB: ACTC or the Company), a leader in the field of regenerative medicine, today announced treatment of three additional patients in the companys two U.S. trials using retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). The fifth and sixth patients in the companys Phase I/II clinical trial for dry age-related macular degeneration (dry AMD) were treated, completing the second patient cohort. The fifth patient was treated at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, a Harvard Medical School affiliate, by a surgical team led by Dean Eliott, M.D., afull-time retina surgeon, scientist and associate director of the Retina Service at Mass. Eye and Ear. Additionally, the sixth patient in the companys clinical trial for Stargardts Macular Dystrophy (SMD) was treated, also completing that second cohort. All three patients were injected with 100,000 hESC-derived RPE cells and are recovering uneventfully. We could not be more pleased to have now completed the second, higher-dose patient cohort in both of our U.S. clinical trials, commented Gary Rabin, chairman and CEO of ACT. We continue to be encouraged by our progress in all three of our clinical trials and are eagerly anticipating proceeding to … Continue reading →

CARLSBAD, CA--(Marketwire - Nov 29, 2012) - International Stem Cell Corporation ( OTCQB : ISCO ) (www.internationalstemcell.com) ("ISCO" or "the Company"), a California-based biotechnology company focused on the development of therapeutic products, today announced the achievement of a critical milestone towards the clinical development of its stem cell therapy. The Company's research and development team has created the world's first human clinical-grade stem cell lines with the ability to immune-match millions of individuals. ISCO's existing research-grade parthenogenetic stem cell lines, one of which contains the most common immune type in the Caucasian population and may be an immune-match to approximately 70 million people, are used in pre-clinical development. These new clinical-grade stem cell lines position ISCO to be able to conduct clinical trials in the United States. Dr. Semechkin, CEO and Co-Chairman of the Board, comments, "We've been working diligently for three years to perfect this technology, which was first developed by our scientific founder, Dr. Elena Revazova in Moscow, and I'm excited to report that we have been able to derive new stem cell lines in the United States under the US and California regulatory frameworks. I'm optimistic that the new parthenogenetic stem cell lines, by providing a potentially … Continue reading →

Seoul (The Korea Herald/ANN) - Korean scientists have discovered a new molecular compound that could increase the efficiency of human adult cell reprogramming to induced pluripotent stem cells. The low-molecule Reprogramming Stimulating Compound 133, or RSC133, adds to the list of non-viral vectors that are crucial to advancing the biotechnology and production of iPS cells. Dr. Cho Yee-sook and Dr. Lee Jung-woon of the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience & Biotechnology led a team of researchers for this latest discovery that was published in Angewandte Chemie International journal early this month. It said that the compound derivative acts as the "booster of pluripotency," and it "potently improves the reprogramming of human somatic cells into a pluripotent state and aids the growth and maintenance of human pluripotent stem cells." Pluripotent stem cells, like embryonic stem cells, can be turned into any type of cell in the body. The biotechnology of iPS cells has been gaining recognition since Kyoto University professor Shinya Yamanaka discovered that they could be created from mature cells. He won the Nobel Prize in Medicine last month for his research. The reprogramming of adult cells to their immature state has the potential uses for patient-specific cures, such as … Continue reading →