April 2005 Archives
Cord Blood America (OTC BB: CBAI) Corp. Sheet
Corporate Summary (site quote):
Cord Blood America's mission is to be the most respected stem cell preservation company in the world. Cord Blood America will achieve its mission through educating expectant parents, families with a history of disease, critically ill patients, and all others who wish to learn about this life saving opportunity. We will provide constant care and support to the families whose stem cells we preserve, and to the medical professionals who help them do so. We are joined in the fight to combat life threatening illness by educating one person at a time.
...Continue reading "Cord Blood America (OTC BB: CBAI) Corp. Sheet"
Posted on April 30, 2005 12:16 PM | Comments (0)
Celgene Corporation First Quarter Results Deliver Record Operating Performance and Key Clinical and Regulatory Progress
SUMMIT, N.J., April 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Celgene Corporation (Nasdaq: CELG) announced adjusted diluted earnings per share of $0.11 for the quarter ended March 31, 2005, driven by record product sales. On a reported basis, under U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Celgene reported earnings per diluted share of $0.26 in the first quarter of 2005 that included a one-time gain from the recognition of deferred tax assets previously reserved. Total revenue for the first quarter increased 35.6% to $112.4 million from $82.9 million for the prior-year quarter. THALOMID net sales in the first quarter of 2005 increased 27.7% to $88.4 million from $69.2 million in the first quarter of 2004. Celgene posted first quarter adjusted net income of $19.1 million, or adjusted earnings of $0.11 per diluted share compared to net income of $8.9 million or $0.05 per share in the first quarter of last year.
...Posted on April 28, 2005 04:20 PM | Comments (0)
Curis Reports First Quarter 2005 Results
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., April 26, 2005 - Curis, Inc. (NASDAQ:CRIS), a therapeutic drug development company, today reported its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2005.
For the first quarter of 2005, we reported a net loss of $5,113,000 or ($0.11) per share, as compared to a net loss of $4,038,000 or ($0.10) per share for the prior year period.
...Continue reading "Curis Reports First Quarter 2005 Results"
Posted on April 27, 2005 06:04 PM | Comments (0)
Serologicals Corporation Reports First Quarter Results; Revenues Increase 55% as Company Confirms Full-Year Guidance
ATLANTA, GA - April 27, 2005 - Serologicals Corporation (NASDAQ:SERO) today announced financial results for the first quarter ended April 3, 2005. Revenues increased 55.1%, to $56.6 million, compared to $36.5 million in the same period last year. Diluted earnings per share were $0.07 per share compared to $0.11 per share in the same period in the prior year.
As the result of our numerous acquisitions over the past three years, the Company has decided to provide pro forma results that exclude acquisition amortization, other similar acquisition related costs and other one-time costs. The Company is providing pro forma information as an addition to, and not as a substitute for, financial measures presented in accordance with GAAP. The Company believes that the pro forma presentation is a beneficial supplemental disclosure to investors in analyzing and assessing its past and future performance.
...Posted on April 27, 2005 03:46 PM | Comments (0)
More On Brain Stem Cells As Possible Cure For Diabetes
Wired has a good followup article regarding the current research being done at Stanford University regarding neurons from fetal brains that are coaxed into to become cells that produce insulin.
Granted this is more or less the same information we discussed before, but its a bit more detailed in this article. If you are looking for information regarding stem cell research and diabetes, like this is a good resource for solutions on the horizon.
However, the one issue that likely will be seen as contentious is that Seung Kim who authored the paper on this research, indicates that the insulin-producing cells are derived from embryonic stem cells.....
...Continue reading "More On Brain Stem Cells As Possible Cure For Diabetes"
Posted on April 27, 2005 03:16 PM | Comments (0)
FRC Action Urges Women to Speak Up on Life Issues
FRC Action, the lobbying branch of Family Research Council, is co-sponsoring "Real Women's Voices," a gathering of women who are ready to speak up about their pro-life views, today, April 27 in Washington D.C.
The abortion lobby has made abortion a "women's issue," but frequently fails to consider women's pro-life opinions. This event is designed to set the United States Senate straight and demand that they protect women's lives and the lives of their unborn children.....
Continue reading "FRC Action Urges Women to Speak Up on Life Issues"
Posted on April 27, 2005 02:31 PM | Comments (0)
Cord Blood America To Discuss Company Profiling In Broadcast Interview
Matt Schissler, Chairman and CEO of Cord Blood America, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: CBAI) recently granted Wall Street Network an exclusive audio interview profiling the company. Interview highlights include discussions on the following topics:
* 167 percent revenue growth in 2004 over 2003
* umbilical cord blood stem cell preservation and storage industry growth
* keeping pace with industry growth
* management bios
* competitive edge
* mergers and acquisitions strategy
* upcoming milestones
To hear the interview in its entirety and to read an in-depth report on the company, visit http://wallst.net/superstock/CBAI/cbai.html
...Posted on April 26, 2005 06:47 PM | Comments (0)
Sheep and Human Chimera's For Potential Organ Transplant Candidates?
"They're sheep still," says Dr. Esmail Zanjani with the University of Nevada. "But they have significant amounts of human cells in their different organs."
Dr. Zanjani creates the sheep that contain human cells at the University of Nevada's agricultural research station outside Reno. The goal is to produce organs, especially livers, for future transplant into humans.
"By putting these organs back into the human, we may be able to allow the humanized portion to regenerate into a full-functioning organ," says Zanjani......
Continue reading "Sheep and Human Chimera's For Potential Organ Transplant Candidates?"
Posted on April 26, 2005 06:34 PM | Comments (0)
Stem Cells From The Brain To Possibly Cure Diabetes
The BBC has a good article on how scientists in the US are looking at a possible method of curing diabetes using stem cells from the brain.
Though the work is obviously no ready for human testing, the results coming from animal studies have shown to be very promising.
Researchers at Stanford University have found a way to coax the immature brain cells to fully develop into insulin producing islet cells that are lacking in diabetes.....
...Continue reading "Stem Cells From The Brain To Possibly Cure Diabetes"
Posted on April 26, 2005 06:15 PM | Comments (0)
Two New Stem Cell Programs at UW-Madison
With its already dominant position in stem cell research, UW-Madison will further add two new stem cell programs to its portfolio.
At a meeting of stem cell researchers in Madison today (April 26), UW-Madison professor of anatomy and neurology Clive Svendsen announced a new regenerative medicine program and a postdoctoral training program that will advance stem cell research across the university.
...Continue reading "Two New Stem Cell Programs at UW-Madison"
Posted on April 26, 2005 12:34 PM | Comments (0)
Geron Announces Equity Issuance to Hong Kong Investors
MENLO PARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 25, 2005--Geron Corporation (Nasdaq:GERN) announced today that it has sold shares of Geron common stock and issued warrants to purchase Geron common stock to prominent investors in Hong Kong for proceeds of $4 million.
The shares and warrants were offered through a prospectus supplement to the company's effective universal shelf registration statement. The Company arranged the financing directly with the investors and the proceeds fund Geron's financial commitment to TA Therapeutics, Ltd.
...Continue reading "Geron Announces Equity Issuance to Hong Kong Investors"
Posted on April 25, 2005 06:50 PM | Comments (0)
U.S. BioDefense Confirms Provisional Patent Application for Matching Stem Cell and Other Biotechnology Transfer Opportunities
U.S. BioDefense, Inc. (OTCBB:UBDE) is pleased to confirm today that it has filed provisional patent application number 60/594081 with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
According to David Chin, CEO, "The objective is to patent our Company's proprietary and proven system for matching stem cell and biotechnology transfer opportunities by identifying candidates for specific opportunities. We are confident that our provisional patent application once approved will provide value for our shareholders and be a strong asset to the company's growing intellectual property pool."
...Posted on April 25, 2005 06:40 PM | Comments (0)
Massachusetts Priest Ordered By Archdiocese To Stop Stem Cell Protest
The Archdiocese of Boston has ordered a priest to stop demonstrating outside state Senate President Robert E. Travaglini's home. He is protesting over the politician's position on embryonic stem cell research.
The Rev. Thomas DiLorenzo has recently spent several days demonstrating outside Travaglini's East Boston home along with several from his parish at the Holy Rosary Parish in Winthrop.....
...Continue reading "Massachusetts Priest Ordered By Archdiocese To Stop Stem Cell Protest"
Posted on April 25, 2005 06:33 PM | Comments (0)
Feminists For Life On Stem Cell Research
Feminists for Life of New York held a discussion about embryonic stem cell research this past Monday at Monroe Community College.
The pro-life group's main speaker was the Rev. Tadeusz Pacholczyk, a Catholic priest who is the director at the National Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia, and also holds a degree in neuroscience from Yale University....
...Continue reading "Feminists For Life On Stem Cell Research"
Posted on April 25, 2005 06:30 PM | Comments (0)
Romney's Approval and Economic Perceptions Slump, Stem Cell Favored, According to Merrimack College Poll
NORTH ANDOVER, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 25, 2005--Overview of Bay State Poll Results:
Approval Rating
-- The approval rating of Governor Mitt Romney has plummeted 13% from an all time Bay State Poll high 56% three months ago to an all time Bay State Poll low of 43%.
Economy
-- All six Bay State Poll indicators of people's perceptions of the health of the national economy, the state economy, and their own personal finances have fallen in the last three months.
Stem Cell Issue
-- A majority of those polled (56.9%) support the Legislature's idea that creating embryos to produce stem cells should be permitted. The Governor's position, that this process amounts to cloning and should be banned, is supported by 35.2% of state residents. ....
...Posted on April 25, 2005 05:27 PM | Comments (0)
Israel's Consortium Bereshit for Cell Therapy
Israel's $15-20 million stem cell project was created under the authority of the Chief Scientist's Office of the Ministry of Industry and Trade. The consortium is composed of some of Israel's leading stem cell researchers.
Several Israeli companies participate in the Consortium that we have disucssed here in the past.
"Our main goal is to create embryonic stem cells that will be FDA approved," the group's technical manager, Iris Lewin said. "We are also working to characterize the cells: to understand if they will become cells of the heart, pancreas, liver, etc. At the same time, we must characterize the cells' genome, learn to isolate them and influence them to develop into specific organs." ......
...Continue reading "Israel's Consortium Bereshit for Cell Therapy"
Posted on April 25, 2005 04:55 PM | Comments (0)
Human Neural Stem Cells Persist and Influence Nerve Cells in Rat Model of ALS
Roberta Friedman, PhD, Research Department Information Coordinator
April 21, 2005
[QUICK SUMMARY: ALSA funded researchers placed genetically engineered human stem cells into rat spinal cord and showed that they can secrete, as instructed, a maintaining factor that aids the ability of nerve cells to function.]
Researchers at the Waisman Center in Madison, Wisconsin published, in the April 2005 issue of the journal Human Gene Therapy, encouraging findings in rats modeling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). They showed that human stem cells can integrate into the critical area of the spinal cord that supplies the nerves that control muscles. This is the region where cells attacked by the disease process originate.
...Continue reading "Human Neural Stem Cells Persist and Influence Nerve Cells in Rat Model of ALS"
Posted on April 25, 2005 04:44 PM | Comments (0)
Results of Adult Umbilical Cord Blood Transplants Study
Umbilical cord blood transplants are looking to become more and more an accepted treatment option for traditional bone marrow transplant candidates.
The Eurocord-Netcord Transplant Group indicates that the results of studies shows that umbilical cord blood transplants in adults is an acceptable source of stem cells where patients lack a related or unrelated bone marrow stem cell donor. The analysis was presented at the 31st annual meeting of the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation in Prague this past March....
...Continue reading "Results of Adult Umbilical Cord Blood Transplants Study"
Posted on April 23, 2005 09:13 PM | Comments (0)
Bones Day, Bit Off Topic: UCLA Researchers Discover New Method to Generate Human Bone
Today there was some more news regarding research bones and cartilage. Not directly related to stem cell research, but since I already posted the article regarding growing cartilage by way of stem cell research, this seemed relevant. Additionally its good news for me personally on the quality of life front, though this is more targetting healing bone fractures by way of stimulating bone growth ..
Straight out of UCLA:
Date: April 21, 2005
Contact: Melissa Abraham ( mabraham@support.ucla.edu )
Phone: 310-206-0540
By studying diseases in which the human body generates too much bone, UCLA researchers have discovered and isolated a natural molecule that can be used to heal fractures and generate new bone growth in patients who lack it.
Bioengineering professor Ben Wu at UCLA's Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science, and Kang Ting, Thomas R. Bales Professor at UCLA's School of Dentistry, are developing a new molecule they've named UCB, or University of California Bone.
...Posted on April 22, 2005 10:00 PM | Comments (0)
More Stem Cell Research Involving Cartilage From Johns Hopkins
In the constant search to treat my own infuriating knee issues, all the while knowing there are many out there that have worse, we have found some news here that I missed this week from Johns Hopkins.
We are still waiting to hear some real news regarding Cartilix, but I suppose this will have to do. I know the company has incorated and does have a website that is under construction, but no real corporate news yet. This article also mentions Jennifer Elisseeff, that was refered to in MIT's Technology Review when discussing the company.
Regardless .. here is the news release:
Student Looks for Cell Damage in the Use of Hydrogels
to Repair Injured Cartilage
In a Johns Hopkins tissue engineering lab where researchers are making new materials to repair injured knees, noses and other body parts, an undergraduate is performing critical experiments to determine whether this promising technique might damage cells.
Athar Malik, a senior biomedical engineering major from Novi, Mich., is conducting a study to determine if DNA in cells can be harmed by a chemical reaction that occurs during the tissue engineering process. His experiments in the laboratory of Jennifer Elisseeff, an assistant professor of biomedical engineering, have been supported by a Provost's Undergraduate Research Award from the university.....
...Continue reading "More Stem Cell Research Involving Cartilage From Johns Hopkins"
Posted on April 22, 2005 06:49 PM | Comments (0)
Curis Announces Reports of New Cancers Linked to Abnormal Hedgehog Pathway Signaling
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., April 21, 2005 - Curis, Inc. (NASDAQ: CRIS), a therapeutic drug development company, today announced that there were a number of new reports presented at the current annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research that corroborate and expand our understanding of the linkage between abnormal Hedgehog pathway signaling and the development of various forms of cancer.
Two reports presented at the conference for the first time linked the Hedgehog pathway to certain forms of liver cancer and cervical cancer.
...Posted on April 22, 2005 06:01 PM | Comments (0)
The Never Ending Stem Cell Research Debate Goes On
The issues that seem to continually revolve around stem cell research .. we all know them so well. Effectively through they all boil down in the simplest terms:
Can we cure disease with embryonic stem cells?
And naturally after that:
And should we?
Thankfully there are many out there prividing us all with insights to both sides of the debate. This past Friday (April 15) a debate at Harvard Law School intended to help us see the issues clearly. However, it appears that mostly what came out of it were more questions .....
...Continue reading "The Never Ending Stem Cell Research Debate Goes On"
Posted on April 22, 2005 09:23 AM | Comments (0)
Stem Cell Therapy International Sponsors Tech Council of Maryland's 'The Business of Stem Cell Research Conference'
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 21, 2005--Stem Cell Therapy International Corp. (SCTI), a leading supplier of xeno stem cells, that is, stem cells derived from animals, for transplant procedures in humans, announced that it is a sponsor and scholarship donor of "The Business of Stem Cell Research Conference," hosted by the Tech Council of Maryland and Arent Fox, a leading health care law firm. The conference is being held April 25, 2005, at the Marriott Bethesda North Hotel and Conference Center in Rockville, MD, near Washington, D.C.
...Posted on April 22, 2005 09:14 AM | Comments (0)
CRYO-CELL Comments on Proposed Government Initiative to Fund National Cord Blood Bank
Oldsmar, FL – April 21, 2005 - CRYO-CELL International, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board Symbol: CCEL) (the "Company") today announced its endorsement of proposed federal legislation to create a National Cord Blood Stem Cell Program. The Institute of Medicine (IOM), an agency of The National Academies, recently released a report supporting federal funding to build an inventory of high-quality cord blood units for use in stem cell transplantation. If enacted, funding could provide for upwards of 100,000 additional units of donated cord blood to be potentially used in allogeneic (non-family related) transplants. The IOM report also recommends establishment of a policy board to adopt more rigorous quality standards with respect to cord blood products.
...Posted on April 22, 2005 09:08 AM | Comments (0)
Stem Cell Research In The Czech Republic
Doctor Petr Dvorak in Brno, Czech Republic heads a team of 12 scientists and technicians who are working with embryonic stem cells from mice and humans.
It's in his sterile lab where human embryonic stem cells are being cultured in what Dvorak describes as a "restricted zone."
"So this is our best-developed facility," Dvorak said. "So we have these doors, and inside there is HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filtration, three levels of HEPA filtration -- very clean air. This is our good-quality facility. Of course, the other institutes probably have bigger labs and more labs, but this quite enough for us."
49 year old Dvorak and his team recently made headlines in 2003, when they isolated a new line of human embryonic stem cells. Many laboratories have tried to derive human ESLs, but only a handful have succeeded.
...Continue reading "Stem Cell Research In The Czech Republic"
Posted on April 21, 2005 10:20 PM | Comments (0)
Stem Cell Sciences (STEM) Corp. Sheet
Corporate Summary (site quote):
Stem Cell Sciences (SCS) is an international company with centres in the United Kingdom, Australia and Japan.
...Continue reading "Stem Cell Sciences (STEM) Corp. Sheet"
Posted on April 21, 2005 08:35 PM | Comments (0)
Fear of Stem Cells Becoming Cancerous
We have read articles already where researchers are looking at stem cells gone haywire are the cells that then eventually become cancerous. There has been research too that indicates that in fact stem cells may be the way some cancers move through the body.
Now researchers are looking at the possibility that some stem cells may turn cancerous if they are allowed to grow for too long outside the body... as in within cell cultures.
Two new studies are now showing that adult stem cells, such as those taken from bone marrow, can become harmful if they divide for too long outside of the body.
Further, it has been known that there is a cancer risk from stem cells taken from very early embryos. However, this new research shows that adult stem cells are safe only if the number of times they are allowed to divide outside the body is limited.....
...Continue reading "Fear of Stem Cells Becoming Cancerous"
Posted on April 21, 2005 07:30 PM | Comments (0)
Brazil Getting Into the Stem Cell Research Funding Game
The Brazilian government has announced that it is setting some hard currency ($4 million USD) specifically to finance human stem cell research. Even so far as to include experiments with human embryos.
Half of the funding (11 million reals) that will be authorised by the government will be directly allocated by the Health Ministry. The other half will be under the control of the Science and Technology Ministry.
This past March, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva approved a biosecurity law that paved the way for stem cell research with embryos that are from in-vitro fertilisation and have been frozen for at least three years.....
...Continue reading "Brazil Getting Into the Stem Cell Research Funding Game"
Posted on April 21, 2005 02:25 PM | Comments (0)
John G. Coles, MD Joins Multicell's Scientific Advisory Board Stem Cell Panel
SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 20, 2005--MultiCell Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB: MUCL), a leading supplier of immortalized non-tumorigenic human hepatocytes as pharmaceutical candidate optimization tools, announced today that it has appointed Dr. John Coles to MultiCell's new stem cell panel of the Scientific Advisory Board. "Dr. Coles is a leading expert on cardiac stem cells and brings a wealth of experience and contacts to our forthcoming San Diego-based stem cell research initiative," stated Dr. Stephen Chang, MultiCell's President.
...Continue reading "John G. Coles, MD Joins Multicell's Scientific Advisory Board Stem Cell Panel"
Posted on April 20, 2005 08:23 PM | Comments (0)
Advanced Cell Technology Names Jonathan F. Atzen as General Counsel
Worcester, MA, April 20, 2005 – William Caldwell, IV, Chief Executive Officer of A.C.T. Holdings, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: ACTH.OB) and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Advanced Cell Technology, Inc., a leading biotechnology company applying stem cell technology in the emerging field of regenerative medicine, announced today the appointment of Jonathan F. Atzen as Senior Vice President and General Counsel, effective April 1, 2005. This announcement completes the hiring of the senior management team.
...Continue reading "Advanced Cell Technology Names Jonathan F. Atzen as General Counsel"
Posted on April 20, 2005 07:39 PM | Comments (0)
Bio-Matrix Scientific Group Finalizing Patent Applications for Three New Devices
SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 20, 2005--Bio-Matrix Scientific Group Inc. (BMXG) announced today that it is preparing to file three new patent applications. These patent applications cover additional stem cell and tissue management devices. The Company anticipates the applications will be filed sometime next week. This will mean Bio-Matrix Scientific Group will have four patent applications submitted so far this year.
...Continue reading "Bio-Matrix Scientific Group Finalizing Patent Applications for Three New Devices"
Posted on April 20, 2005 07:33 PM | Comments (0)
Cardio3 to Present at Medtech Insight's "In Circulation'' Conference
CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 19, 2005--Cardio3 has announced that it will be presenting at 10:55 a.m. at Medtech Insight's Prestigious "In Circulation: Strategic Partnering and Investing in Circulatory Medicine" Conference, taking place April 27, 2005, at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place in Chicago, IL.
...Continue reading "Cardio3 to Present at Medtech Insight's "In Circulation'' Conference"
Posted on April 20, 2005 07:31 PM | Comments (0)
AABB Addresses Release of IOM Cord Blood Report
BETHESDA, MD – AABB commends the Institute of Medicine’s (IOM) Cord Blood Study Committee on its recently released report detailing the challenging issues facing the cord blood community. While AABB supports several of the recommendations put forth in the IOM’s "Cord Blood: Establishing a National Hematopoietic Stem Cell Bank Program," the association believes the IOM report does not go far enough to optimize the quality of cord blood banks by integrating the expertise of the diverse organizations currently involved in the collection, processing and transplantation of cord blood units. AABB believes that every standard-setting and accreditation organization currently involved in the cord blood field brings a unique and important perspective.
...Continue reading "AABB Addresses Release of IOM Cord Blood Report"
Posted on April 20, 2005 04:44 PM | Comments (0)
Human Stem Cell Trials On The Horizon
Wired has a really good write up on the current race to get certain stem cell procedures ready for full human trials.
Some of us have read the news regarding procedures that have used embryonic or fetal stem cells to help rodents with spinal cord injuries walk again. It appears that the original researchers are traveling around the country showing videos of these rats dragging their hind legs. Following that are clips of them hopping around following stem-cell injections....
Obviously, the question is, when will the research transfer into helping humans? The answer depends on who you ask. Some scientists believe it could happen as soon as the end of this year. Others say that's too soon, and data from larger animals such as dogs or monkeys is necessary before researching with humans. Some researchers outside of the United States are not waiting that long ...
...Continue reading "Human Stem Cell Trials On The Horizon"
Posted on April 20, 2005 01:03 PM | Comments (0)
University of Wisconsin Stem Cell Research Targeting ALS
Scientists at the University of Wisconsin at Madison are now saying that they may be within two or three years of human trials on a new stem cell treatment for the nerve disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, ALS or Lou Gehrig's Disease.
This latest article was published Tuesday in the journal Human Gene Therapy. In it, the researchers are reporting that they have injected ALS afflicted rats with human nerve stem cells. These stem cells then fully developed within the animals' diseased spinal cords.
What makes this unique is that the stem cells carried a disease-fighting protein that not only helped heal the damaged cells, but went further to replace the surrounding support cells...
...Continue reading "University of Wisconsin Stem Cell Research Targeting ALS"
Posted on April 20, 2005 12:36 PM | Comments (0)
Islet Cell Implant From Mother Cures Diatebetes In Woman
This is a bit off topic, but as we know in the focus of stem cell research, this kind of news will be affected .. hopefully in the near term. Slashdot is discussing an announcment from Kyoto, Japan, where a Japanese woman has been seemingly been cured of diabetes via a donor transplant of insulin-producing cells from her mother.
Now these are not stem cells, these are directly her mother's islet cells. Additionally, this is one of the first times an islet cell transplant from a living donor has actually worked.....
Continue reading "Islet Cell Implant From Mother Cures Diatebetes In Woman"
Posted on April 20, 2005 12:12 PM | Comments (0)
The EU Won't Increase Stem Cell Funding
It would appear that the EU is missing the boat so to speak and may not realize the same economic and health benefits that the US may see. With the funding frenzy currently underway in the US, stem cell research projects are popping up all over the biotech field.
Regardless of the doubling of the European Commission's research funding, the Commissioner for Science and Research currently does not seek to directly increase European Union funding for human embryonic stem cell research, his spokeswoman told The Scientist.
Earlier this month, the commissioner, Janez Potočnik, presented the European's Commission's proposed Seventh EU Research Framework Programme 2007–2013 (FP7). This program is intending to allocate €67.8 billion (USD $88.4 billion). This is effectively shy of €10 billion a year, which is double the current annual funding levels—for research......
...Continue reading "The EU Won't Increase Stem Cell Funding"
Posted on April 20, 2005 11:41 AM | Comments (0)
Cord Blood America to Present at the FSX Investment Conference
LOS ANGELES, CA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 04/13/2005 -- Cord Blood America, Inc. (OTC BB: CBAI) announced that Matthew Schissler, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, will present an overview of the Company's progress and strategy at the Cinapsys Microcap Conference on Saturday, April 16, 2005, at 8:30 a.m. PDT at the Sutton Place Hotel in Newport Beach, California.
...Continue reading "Cord Blood America to Present at the FSX Investment Conference"
Posted on April 19, 2005 07:21 PM | Comments (0)
Dr. Stephen Chang, President of MultiCell Technologies Inc., Talks to The Wall Street Transcript
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 19, 2005--The Wall Street Transcript has published an in-depth interview with Dr. Stephen Chang, President of MultiCell Technologies Inc. (OTCBB:MUCL) in which he talks at length about the Company.
...Posted on April 19, 2005 07:14 PM | Comments (0)
Advanced Cell Technology Files 8-K/A with Securities and Exchange Commission
Worcester, MA, April 18, 2005 – Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. (OTCBB: ACTH.OB), a leading biotechnology company applying stem cell technology in the emerging field of regenerative medicine, today announced that the Company has filed Form 8-K/A with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC").
This document, required by the SEC, discloses the Company’s financial statements for periods ending December 31, 2004.
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Posted on April 19, 2005 07:05 PM | Comments (0)
U.S. Patent Office Grants MultiCell Technologies New Liver Stem Cell Patent
MultiCell Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB: MUCL), an innovator in liver cells, announced today that the U.S Patent Office granted MultiCell US Patent Number 6,872,389 for its liver stem cell invention of Dr. Ronald Faris, MultiCell's Chief Science Officer. This patent contains 24 claims to a method of obtaining a population of liver cell clusters. The Company's previous US liver stem cell patent 6,129,911, issued October 10, 2000 contains 50 claims to an isolated liver cluster, a primary liver stem cell, and a method of obtaining an isolated liver stem cell.
...Continue reading "U.S. Patent Office Grants MultiCell Technologies New Liver Stem Cell Patent"
Posted on April 19, 2005 06:58 PM | Comments (0)
University Professors At Stem Cell Research Debate
Physicians and the biomedical ethics expert William Hurlbut met for a debate with Princeton molecular biology and public affairs professor Lee Silver. The focus of the debate is controversy surrounding embryonic stem cell research. The panel this Monday is being moderated by former Princeton University president Harold Shapiro GS '64.
Hurlbut and Silver both agreed that science struggles to firmly define the line during human development that separates groups of cells from what the definition of is a human being.
Tough line to draw, as illustrated by the many fiery debates that have been going on in almost ever State house in the country, as well as the Capital ...
...Continue reading "University Professors At Stem Cell Research Debate"
Posted on April 19, 2005 06:20 PM | Comments (0)
National Cord Blood Bank Promotes Cell Research
In a follow-up to the report from the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies that promotes the etablishment of a National Stem Cell Bank .. the Institute of Medicine also has written a document titled "Establishing a National Cord Blood Stem Cell Bank Program".
New Jersey representative Chris Smith commended the Institute of Medicine (IOM) for their report "Cord Blood: Establishing a National Hematopoeitic Stem Cell Bank Program," which was released today.
"Creating a national network of cord blood stem cell banks will turn medical waste into medical miracles for thousands of patients who otherwise have no hope to recover from lethal diseases," said Congressman Smith.....
Continue reading "National Cord Blood Bank Promotes Cell Research"
Posted on April 18, 2005 07:39 PM | Comments (0)
ViaCell Supports National Program to Bank Donated Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cells
ViaCell, Inc. (Nasdaq: VIAC) announced today its support for a proposed federal program to oversee the banking and use of allogeneic (non-family-related) stem cells derived from donated umbilical cord blood. According to the Institute of Medicine (IOM) of the National Academies, "Transplants of cord blood stem cells have saved the lives of roughly 20,000 Americans with leukemia, lymphoma, sickle cell anemia, and several other illnesses in recent years. However, thousands of patients who might benefit from a transplant die every year waiting for a match. Although 22 public banks have been established in the United States to collect, store, and distribute donated cord blood containing these cells, these banks operate without any centralized coordination."
Marc D. Beer, President and CEO of ViaCell, commented, "The primary objective of a national system for obtaining allogeneic (non-related) cord blood stem cells should be to make it easier for physicians to efficiently gain access to cord blood anywhere in the nation. The current system has not benefited all patients that it could, and we applaud the IOM's new recommendations to address this." .....
Continue reading "ViaCell Supports National Program to Bank Donated Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cells"
Posted on April 18, 2005 06:54 PM | Comments (0)
Geron Corp Sets Up Company to License Its Animal Cloning Technology
In cloning news, Geron Corp., which was widely known for involvement in the cloning of Dolly the sheep, is now creating a company to license its technology.
Geron holds a portfolio of patents specifically for animal reproductive technologies. It has teamed up with Phoenix-based Exeter Life Sciences Inc. to form the new company named Start Licensing Inc. ....
...Continue reading "Geron Corp Sets Up Company to License Its Animal Cloning Technology"
Posted on April 18, 2005 03:51 PM | Comments (0)
2nd Stem Cell Operation Planned for Patient Hwang
Another stem cell operation is planned for a woman who was able to walk last year after being paralyzed for 19 years .. from reportedly her first stem cell operation ...
Hanyang University medical team led by professor Kim Jae-min is repoprting that spinal cord patient Hwang Mi-soon was hospitalized on Monday for stem cell therapy late this week....
...Continue reading "2nd Stem Cell Operation Planned for Patient Hwang"
Posted on April 18, 2005 03:49 PM | Comments (0)
Bulgaria Gets Into the Stem Cell Treatment Field
Now this is a bit vague, and gives us no real information, but in looking around for the latest news entries this one caught my eye.
Effectively, this is experimental, but at least worth noting....
It appears that Bulgarian surgeons have carried out a successful transplantation of stem cells into a patient's spinal cord the Sophia News Agency is reporting today...
...Continue reading "Bulgaria Gets Into the Stem Cell Treatment Field"
Posted on April 18, 2005 03:45 PM | Comments (0)
States Compete In Attracting Stem Cell Researchers
Throughout the US, states are evaluating or actually setting up their own embryonic stem cell programs.
The potential rewards in medical breakthroughs and economic development are too lucrative to ignore. As a result, the legislatures in these states are putting mountains of money on the line behind these plans ...
Some of the more notable states are:
California
New Jersey
Illinois
Wisconsin
The issues is that Connecticut’s proposed $20 million is being seen as only a speed bump next to California’s $3 billion....
...Continue reading "States Compete In Attracting Stem Cell Researchers"
Posted on April 18, 2005 02:15 PM | Comments (0)
Italian Stallion Cloned From Sterile Champion Race Horse
Scientists in Italy are reporting that they have created their second cloned horse. This latest clone entry is an Italian stallion that is the first ever produced from a sterile race champion.
The cloned foal was born on February 25 weighing 42 kg and "is in excellent health", the scientists stated.
This horse is a clone of the hore know as Pieraz. Pieraz was a champion race horse and Arabian breed that won the world endurance race championship back in 1994 and 1996. Pieraz is now retired and in a stable in the US....
Scientists classified the birth as a breakthrough that paves the way for preserving the lines of the best race horses by creating clones that can breed.
...Continue reading " Italian Stallion Cloned From Sterile Champion Race Horse"
Posted on April 18, 2005 02:15 PM | Comments (0)
India - Family cord blood bank inaugurated in city
A family cord blood bank has been started in Ludhiana. It was formally inaugurated this past week ...
Dr Saranya Nandakumar, medical director of the LifeCell company, said that stem cells had revolutionised the very face of medicine.
She said the medical breakthrough was discovered 16 years ago. LifeCell has now brought it to India with the ideal of reaching out to expectant parents and families across the country. ‘‘In technical collaboration with CRYO-CELL International, USA, LifeCell has established a world class cord blood stem cell bank in Chennai. And with operations successfully running in Chennai, we are bringing this wonderful concept to this part of the region by starting this cord blood bank in Ludhiana,’’ Dr Nandakumar said.
...Continue reading "India - Family cord blood bank inaugurated in city"
Posted on April 18, 2005 01:42 PM | Comments (0)
New Jersey Governor Cody Creates Stem Cell Research Ethics Panel
After pledging to invest $380 million in stem cell research, New Jersey Governor Richard J. Codey this past Friday named a well-known academic to oversee the ethical issues involved in the project.
Codey stated that bioethics expert Harold T. Shapiro, who is the former president of Princeton University, will preside over a panel charged with ensuring New Jersey's state-funded research will be in compliance with the state's guidelines.
Shapiro is not new to this field as it were. He served as chairman of the National Bioethics Advisory Commission through much of President Bill Clinton's administration....
Continue reading "New Jersey Governor Cody Creates Stem Cell Research Ethics Panel"
Posted on April 17, 2005 08:10 PM | Comments (0)
Tissue Engineering and Cell Therapy Showing Proof-of-Concept, Encouraging Continued Investment and Acquisition, According to New Report from MedMarket Diligence, LLC
"There is no question but that the potential markets for cell therapy and tissue engineering are huge," says Patrick Driscoll, President of MedMarket Diligence. "But a current market of roughly $150 million worldwide, earned against the backdrop of hundreds of millions of investment, point up that the industry is a long way from a breakeven point. But even for this nascent industry, the preclinical successes as well as the limited markets already established appear to be more than sufficient to continue the investment and development drive toward realizing the market potential."
At this time, tissue engineering is occurring in the areas of Skin, Cartilage and Bone; the worldwide market for these areas is estimated to be $144.6 million. The total market by 2015, covering the areas of Skin, Bone, Cartilage, Cardiovascular, and Other (Dental and Organ Regeneration or Replacement) is predicted to be about $2.1 billion, with a compound annual growth rate of 28%.
Posted on April 16, 2005 10:53 PM | Comments (0)
World's Largest Newborn Stem Cell Bank Supports Institute of Medicine Report
- Cord Blood Registry Cites Education as the Key to Increasing Banked Cord Blood Samples
SAN BRUNO, Calif., April 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Cord Blood Registry, (CBR) supports the Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommendation that all pregnant patients be provided with a "balanced perspective" on all cord blood banking options. The IOM study reflects the "coming of age" of cord blood stem cells as a viable treatment option for children and adults in need of a stem cell transplant and validates the importance of education regarding birth options.
...Continue reading "World's Largest Newborn Stem Cell Bank Supports Institute of Medicine Report"
Posted on April 16, 2005 01:54 PM | Comments (0)
MultiCell Moves to Larger Facilities to Support Expanding Research Programs
(BUSINESS WIRE) - April 13, 2005 -MultiCell Technologies (OTCBB:MUCL) announced today that it will relocate its offices and laboratory into larger, more modern facilities on April 15th.
The new space will significantly upgrade the Company's research capabilities and bring research functions in-house that are now sourced elsewhere.
"We are expanding a number of existing research programs and developing new innovative cell-based technologies for liver support and liver tissue regeneration, " said Ron Faris, Senior Vice President and CSO.
...Continue reading "MultiCell Moves to Larger Facilities to Support Expanding Research Programs"
Posted on April 15, 2005 08:06 PM | Comments (0)
Report Proposes Structure for National Network of Cord Blood Stem Cell Banks
WASHINGTON -- To achieve a more cohesive national system for storing and distributing lifesaving stem cells derived from umbilical cord blood, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services should establish a new National Cord Blood Policy Board to set rules for the donation, collection, and use of this resource, says a new report from the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies. In addition, the department's Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) should call for proposals to identify an organization that can serve as a new Cord Blood Coordinating Center to manage daily operations of cord blood banking and allocation nationwide, says the congressionally requested report.
Blood from umbilical cords -- a byproduct of normal childbirth -- is a good source of hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs), the type of stem cells also found in bone marrow that give rise to various kinds of blood cells. Transplants of these stem cells have saved the lives of roughly 20,000 Americans with leukemia, lymphoma, sickle cell anemia, and several other illnesses in recent years, the report notes. But thousands of patients who might benefit from a transplant die every year waiting for a match. Although 22 public banks have been established in the United States to collect, store, and distribute donated cord blood containing these cells, these banks operate without any centralized coordination, noted the committee that wrote the report.
...Continue reading "Report Proposes Structure for National Network of Cord Blood Stem Cell Banks"
Posted on April 15, 2005 02:53 PM | Comments (0)
PharmaFrontiers Provides Update, Financial Results
THE WOODLANDS, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 15, 2005--PharmaFrontiers Corp. (OTCBB:PFTR), a company involved in the development and commercialization of cell therapies, today provides an update on its research programs and future plans. In addition, the Company reports financial results for the 12 months ended December 31, 2004.
Research and Development
"We began our journey as a public company during May 2004 with the completion of a reverse merger into a public shell, and strengthened our pipeline of potential therapies for the treatment of several debilitating diseases," said David B. McWilliams, president and chief executive officer of PharmaFrontiers....
Continue reading "PharmaFrontiers Provides Update, Financial Results"
Posted on April 15, 2005 02:34 PM | Comments (0)
City College of San Francisco Offers Stem Cell Training
For students intending to work in the field of stem cell research, City College of San Francisco is now offering some advantages as compared to other college level programs. Courtesy of a California state-funded training program that the school announced this past Wednesday, new classes will be added specifically targetting stem cell research.
City College Chancellor Philip Ray made the announcement alongside several program partners, whiched includes representatives from the Mayor's Office and UC San Francisco, where City College faculty will train with researchers before beginning the new program.
...Continue reading "City College of San Francisco Offers Stem Cell Training"
Posted on April 15, 2005 11:32 AM | Comments (0)
Wisconsin Researchers Dismayed Over Stem Cell Vote
Wisconsin business and research leaders reacted with dismay this past Wednesday when the Assembly Tuesday night voted on a bill that would bar companies doing research on new stem cell lines from applying for research and development tax credits.
The amendment was put forward by Rep. Steve Kestell, R-Elkhorn and passed the Assembly on a 59-36 vote and then sent to Senate. It was part of a package aimed at improving the state's business climate.
Kestell indicated that he believes the amendment a compromise and said it was aimed at preventing human cloning or creating new embryonic stem cell lines in Wisconsin.
...Continue reading "Wisconsin Researchers Dismayed Over Stem Cell Vote"
Posted on April 15, 2005 11:26 AM | Comments (0)
NMDP welcomes IOM Recommendation for Fully Integrated Cord Blood System
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn.– The National Marrow Donor Program® (NMDP), the largest national registry of both cord blood and adult donors, agreed with the Institute of Medicine's (IOM) recommendation today calling for an integrated national cord blood and adult donor program and applauded the recommendation to fully fund that program.
The IOM report recognized the desirability of "one-stop-shopping" for all sources of hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPC). However, it concluded that a new government structure must be established because the IOM believes that a mechanism for searching all HPCs does not exist.
...Continue reading "NMDP welcomes IOM Recommendation for Fully Integrated Cord Blood System"
Posted on April 14, 2005 10:03 PM | Comments (0)
Banking Cord Blood from Sibling of a Child that Could Benefit from a Transplant Feasible
At the European Bone Marrow Transplant Group, further reserach results were presented showing that parents of children who have certain health problems that would benefit from a stem cell transplant should consider collecting and banking umbilical cord blood from a newborn sibling.
The United Kingdom has already cast a vote regarding tissue typing babies, so this could be the closest solution available to some of the treatments researchers are reviewing.
Stem cell transplantation is the only available treatment option for some types of leukemias, cancers, and other diseases. Stem cell transplantation usually is done in combination with high doses of chemotherapy and/or radiation. The higher dose treatments also tend to kill more healthy cells in the body, such as blood cells, leading to increased rates of severe side effects.
Following the high doses of treatment, patients generally receive infusions of hematopoeitic stem cells to replace the blood cells that are killed during treatment. In an allogeneic stem cell transplant, patients receive a donor’s hematopoietic stem cells following treatment. The problem is, that perfect matches for patients is usually difficult to find.
...Posted on April 14, 2005 09:12 PM | Comments (0)
Bio-Matrix Scientific Group to Unveil Its Latest Stem Cell Cryogenic and Tissue Management Technologies at the Financial Services Exchange Conference in Los Angeles April 22nd - 23rd
SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 14, 2005--Bio-Matrix Scientific Group Inc. (BMXG) announced today that it would be making a presentation on its stem cell cryogenics, non-invasive monitoring and other medical device technologies at the Financial Services Exchange Conference in Los Angeles to be held April 22nd - 23rd.
...Posted on April 14, 2005 01:22 PM | Comments (0)
Dedicated Umbilical Cord Blood for Sibling Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation Described
Researchers from Italy have described a program where umbilical cord blood is collected and stored for transplantation into a sibling with hematological disease. The details of this program were reported at the 2005 meeting of the European Bone Marrow Transplant Group.
Allogeneic stem cell transplants are usually performed using stem cells from related or unrelated donors. More recently umbilical cord blood has been found to be a good source of stem cells, especially for children.
...Posted on April 14, 2005 01:12 PM | Comments (0)
Stem Cells Derived From Fat Used To Treat Horses
Interestingly, it appears that the human stem cell research debate has effectively help out roar some of the research being done in other fields. So a story about horses being treated with stem cells may crawl under the radar. Count on Wired to give us all a heads up on this ...
Vet-Stem in Poway,California is treating prize race horses and even average equines for with tendons, injured ligaments and fractures using stem cells derived from the animal's own fat cells.
Further, Vet-Stem's research is helping researchers who focusing on stem cells treatment in humans.
...Continue reading "Stem Cells Derived From Fat Used To Treat Horses"
Posted on April 13, 2005 04:29 PM | Comments (0)
International Stem Cell Meeting Reports Pluripotent Stem Cells Isolated From Placenta
SAN DIEGO, April 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Celgene Corporation
(Nasdaq: CELG) announced that human placenta-derived stem cells that are "pluripotent", or have the ability to become different types of tissue, can be isolated with a proprietary perfusion technology from placentas so they are available for potential treatment applications, according to an oral presentation yesterday at the International Conference on Stem Cells Research and Therapeutics in San Diego by Qian Ye, PhD, Senior Scientist, at Celgene Cellular Therapeutics.
Posted on April 13, 2005 03:52 PM | Comments (0)
Stem Cell Research Breakthrough in Australia
A new way of extracting stem cells from embryonic stem cells has been developed in Australia that may ultimately lead to new treatments for diabetes and Parkinson's disease, scientists said on Wednesday.
Seen as an Australian first, the breakthrough puts the researchers one step closer to developing a group of homogenous, identical cells which can be used to treat specific conditions....
Continue reading "Stem Cell Research Breakthrough in Australia"
Posted on April 13, 2005 03:42 PM | Comments (0)
California Stem Cell Agency Adopts Stringent Conflict of Interest Rules - New Policies Apply to Board Members, Advisory Panels and Staff
Los Angeles, CA – Taking a step forward to advance ethical standards, leaders of the California stem cell agency acted to adopt a stringent set of rules governing its grant-making, policy-making, scientific and administrative practices. The policies are designed to prevent any real, potential and/or apparent conflict of interests.
After careful consideration, and with extensive input from the public, members of the Independent Citizens Oversight Committee ("ICOC"), the governing Board of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine ("CIRM"), voted to adopt conflict of interest codes for ICOC members, advisory working group members and CIRM staff. The rules were established to be strict and enforceable, without being unreasonable.
...Posted on April 13, 2005 02:38 PM | Comments (0)
Four Cities on the Stem Cell Headquarters .. San Fran Moves Ahead
San Francisco appears to have be one of the front-runners that may get California's new $3 billion stem cell headquarters. Effectively its highly incentived bid scored the highest among the four cities named to the list of contenders throughout California...
This is quite a contest all things considered. With a state budget of roughly $3 Billion to administer over the next several years .. the location of the headquarters sets a regional presidence as to where much of the research infrastructure will be established....
...Continue reading "Four Cities on the Stem Cell Headquarters .. San Fran Moves Ahead"
Posted on April 13, 2005 02:34 PM | Comments (0)
Biolaser Used to See The Inner Workings of Stem Cells
It appears that researchers will finally be able to see stem cells actually go through the process of differentiation ..
A new laser has been developed that will illuminate stem cells in more detail. This will allow researchers to actually see the steps that stem cells take to become neurons, heart cells or essentially any other types of cell.
Thusfar the steps stem cells go through to establish various identities are poorly understood. Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories in New Mexico say their "biocavity laser" could help clear the way to a better understanding of these processes.
...Continue reading "Biolaser Used to See The Inner Workings of Stem Cells"
Posted on April 13, 2005 02:28 PM | Comments (0)
Laser Beams Detecting "Springiness" of Stem Cells
Now here is some research thats from outside the fold so to speak. Scientists are now using a laser technique to detect stem cells within blood, and hopefully distinguish cancer cells from benign cells.
Using what they are calling an "optical stretcher", Josef Käs and Jochen Guck from the University of Leipzig in Germany have successfully separated adult stem cells from human blood by pushing and pulling individual cells to measure their elasticity.
Reportedly they can also pinpoint cancerous cells from within biopsies as small as just 50 cells. Traditional biopsies need between 10,000 and 100,000 cells to give an accurate diagnosis. What is obviously a major plus in this type of research is that this is the first test which able to identify metastatic cancer cells without actually locating any metastatic tumours, which in many cases are hard to locate because of their small size.....
...Continue reading "Laser Beams Detecting "Springiness" of Stem Cells"
Posted on April 13, 2005 12:33 PM | Comments (0)
Stem Cell Services Re-Named to Better Reflect Its Corporate Culture of Creating and Sustaining Families; Family Cord Blood Services to Serve as New Moniker for a Recognized Leader in Cord Blood Banking
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr 12, 2005 - California Cryobank Stem Cell Services, an umbilical cord blood processing and storage company, and division of one of the largest and oldest reproductive tissue banks in the world, California Cryobank, Inc., announced today that effective April 22, 2005, it will be known as Family Cord Blood Services.
According to Kaj Rydman, President of Family Cord Blood Services, "The decision to change our name was prompted by our many clients who told us that their experience with us made them feel like they were banking their most precious possession with "a member of the family".
...Posted on April 12, 2005 10:01 PM | Comments (0)
Establishing a National Cord Blood Stem Cell Bank Program
Blood stem cells allow for hematopoietic reconstitution in patients with blood disorders. Bone marrow from siblings or otherwise histocompatible donors has been the traditional source of these cells. However, even with the development of the National Bone Marrow Donor Registry, many patients lack a suitable donor--minorities are especially affected.
Umbilical cord blood has been found to have a high concentration of blood stem cells, and as such, offers a potential source of treatment for patients who lack a matching marrow donor.
...Continue reading "Establishing a National Cord Blood Stem Cell Bank Program"
Posted on April 12, 2005 08:34 PM | Comments (0)
A Paralyzed Patient's Perspective on Stem Cell Treatment In China
We have had several articles regarding Will Terpstra from New Zealand a motor neurone sufferer that went to China for stem cell therapy. This procedure was done by American-educated neurosurgeon Dr. Hongyun Huang, and have heard some promising reports.
What we have found in our digging is another patient named David Landewee who after going through a similar treatment with Hongyun Huang who claims he can feel sensations in his stomach, that he can breath stronger and can even sit up and flex the muscles in his legs.
David Landewee was paralyzed for nearly 10 years after a severe car wreck and has been unable to walk ever since.....
...Continue reading "A Paralyzed Patient's Perspective on Stem Cell Treatment In China"
Posted on April 12, 2005 08:06 PM | Comments (0)
Umbilical Cord Blood Collected and Sold Arbitrarily In Korea
Now here is a mess .. it is being reported that doctors at various obstetrics and gynecology offices in South Korea have been arbitrarily extracting umbilical cord blood when women who delivered babies through Cesarean section or were under anesthesia. Effectively in many cases where women did not specify what to do with their umbilical cord blood.
Hospitals have been packaging the extracted cord blood into vinyl packs then sold them for approximately 150,000 won ($147 USD) per pack to an unnamed umbilical cord blood bank....
...Continue reading "Umbilical Cord Blood Collected and Sold Arbitrarily In Korea"
Posted on April 11, 2005 10:41 PM | Comments (0)
US Nation Institute of Health Criticizes Stem Cell Laws
In a change regarding the tradition of deference to top federal administration officials, several institute directors at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) last Wednesday went public with their distaste for current federal restrictions on human embryonic stem cell research.
Both in writing and testimony before the subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education, NIH officials made it clear that there is frustration regarding the policies initiated by President George W. Bush back in 2001....
...Continue reading "US Nation Institute of Health Criticizes Stem Cell Laws"
Posted on April 11, 2005 06:31 PM | Comments (0)
Serologicals' Upstate Group Sponsors Second Annual Cell Signalling Symposium June 12-15, 2005
ATLANTA, Apr 11, 2005 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Serologicals Corporation (NASDAQ: SERO) today announced that Upstate Group, its wholly owned subsidiary, is sponsoring the Second Annual Cell Signalling Symposium to be held June 12-15, 2005, at the Apex City Quay Hotel, Dundee, U.K. It is co-sponsored by Upstate and the MRC Protein Phosphorylation Unit at the University of Dundee. This two-and-a-half day, not-for-profit meeting is entitled "Implications of the LKB1 and AMPK Systems". Registration is open to all scientists with an interest in cell signaling, drug discovery and disease.
...Posted on April 11, 2005 06:12 PM | Comments (0)
Serologicals Corporation (SERO) Corp. Sheet
Corporate Summary (site quote):
Serologicals Corporation is a global provider of biological products and enabling technologies to life science companies. The Company’s products are essential for the research, development and manufacturing of biologically based life science products.
...Continue reading "Serologicals Corporation (SERO) Corp. Sheet"
Posted on April 11, 2005 05:59 PM | Comments (0)
U.S. BioDefense to Sponsor "Business of Stem Cell Research'' Conference Produced by The Technology Council of Maryland and Leading Health Care Law Firm Arent Fox
CITY OF INDUSTRY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 11, 2005--U.S. BioDefense, Inc. (OTCBB:UBDEE) CEO David Chin is pleased to announce today that it will sponsor the "Business of Stem Cell Research" Conference, produced by The Technology Council of Maryland and leading health care law firm Arent Fox.
The Business of Stem Cell Research Conference will be held on April 25, 2005 at the Marriott Bethesda North Hotel & Conference Center in Rockville, Maryland, the first forum to bring together C-Level executives from industry, politics, academia and science to discuss the promise of stem cell research from a business perspective.
...Posted on April 11, 2005 05:27 PM | Comments (0)
ThermoGenesis Corp. to Present at SunTrust Robinson Humphrey's Annual Conference
RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif., April 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- ThermoGenesis Corp. (Nasdaq: KOOL), a pioneer in the development of systems that enable the production and storage of therapeutic components, today announced that Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Philip H. Coelho, will be presenting at the SunTrust Robinson Humphrey 34th Annual Institutional Conference on Tuesday, April 12 at 11:05 am EDT at The Ritz-Carlton Buckhead Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia.
...Continue reading "ThermoGenesis Corp. to Present at SunTrust Robinson Humphrey's Annual Conference"
Posted on April 11, 2005 03:27 PM | Comments (0)
Cord Blood Accelerates Eye Treatments
Scientists in New Delhi, India have used a component of umbilical cord blood to treat eye defects related to cornea damage and are claiming that it speeds up healing.
"Use of serum, obtained from umbilical cord blood, was found to accelerate healing (cornea-related eye defects) to two-three weeks. Normal time for healing using other interventions is six-seven weeks," Dr R B Vajpayee from the R P Centre at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, whose team carried out the study, told PTI....
The umbilical cord serum was delivered in form of eye drops, Vajpayee said adding it was first tested for diseases such as HIV, hepatitis B and C.
...Continue reading "Cord Blood Accelerates Eye Treatments"
Posted on April 11, 2005 01:36 PM | Comments (0)
New Cord Blood Bank To Be Opened in Scotland
A new cord blood bank targeting the storage of stem cell-rich umbilical cord blood is to be established in the west of Scotland. Glasgow is the likely location.
This new facility will allow mothers to voluntarily donate blood left in the placenta once the umbilical cord is clamped off during birth of a baby.
This blood is an enriched source of stem cells which has already been used as an alternative to bone marrow for creating new blood cells in the treatment of people suffering from lymphomas, leukaemia and other serious disorders.
The donation and collection scheme is to be introduced soon in a maternity hospital in the west of Scotland.
...Continue reading "New Cord Blood Bank To Be Opened in Scotland"
Posted on April 11, 2005 01:23 PM | Comments (0)
Melissa Little, Australian kidney researcher, applauded
Melissa Little who is a researcher at the University of Queensland's Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB) was recently presented with the prestigious GlaxoSmithKline Australia Award for Research Excellence. The award was given specifically for her contribution to the development of new treatments for renal disease.
Speaking at the award ceremony with roughly 300 of Australia's top medical researchers, Associate Professor Little stated that there is a real need for new therapies to develop new technologies and strategies to treat kidney disease.
...Continue reading "Melissa Little, Australian kidney researcher, applauded"
Posted on April 11, 2005 12:35 PM | Comments (0)
Massachusetts State Senate Endorses Stem Cell Research Bill
Massachusetts State Senator Cynthia Stone Creem, D-Newton, jumped into the debate in the State Senate on stem cell research by directly asking her fellow senators to support her legislation and to resist calls by the governor to restrict these types of studies.
Sen. Creem's bill (Senate Bill 2028), states that the commonwealth's policy is to promote and improve research, therapies and clinical applications in regenerative medicine. This also includes those involving stem cells, placental and umbilical cord cells, human adult stem cells and somatic cell nuclear transplantation.
...Continue reading "Massachusetts State Senate Endorses Stem Cell Research Bill"
Posted on April 11, 2005 12:02 PM | Comments (0)
Chandigarh Institute In India To Set Up Umbilical Cord Blood Bank
The Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGI) in Chandigarh will be setting up an Indian National mbilical cord bank. The goal is to facilitate the use of cord blood as an alternative to bone marrow as a source of stem cells.
"We have forwarded a proposal to the Government. We are expecting a favourable response from them shortly," Akshay Anand, Assistant Professor at the PGI, told The Hindu....
...Continue reading "Chandigarh Institute In India To Set Up Umbilical Cord Blood Bank"
Posted on April 11, 2005 11:52 AM | Comments (0)
Massachusetts Senator Brown Promotes Umbilical Cord Donations
Massachusetts State Sen. Scott Brown recently proposed an amendment to the current stem cell bill which would establish a public bank for umbilical cord and placental tissue within the state.
This new amendment would ask that the Department of Public Health, in partnership with the UMass Medical Center, Worcester, establish and maintain a bank to with the goal of collecting donated blood and tissue from maternity patients throughout the state....
...Continue reading "Massachusetts Senator Brown Promotes Umbilical Cord Donations"
Posted on April 11, 2005 11:42 AM | Comments (0)
New Gene Therapy and Stem Cell Technique Using Natural Repair Processes
By artificially initiating a DNA repair process known as homologous recombination, Dr. Matthew Porteus of UT Southwestern, working with scientists from Richmond, Calif.-based Sangamo Biosciences, was able to replace a mutated version of the gene that encodes a portion of the interleukin-2 receptor ( IL-2R ) in human cells, restoring both gene function and the production of the IL-2R protein. Mutations in the IL-2R gene are associated with a rare immune disease called severe combined immunodeficiency disease, or SCID. Children with SCID are unable to successfully fight off infections, and must constantly live in a germ-free environment. Their lifespans are usually shortened by systemic infection, and while bone marrow transplants can be used to treat the disease, they are not always successful.
"SCID is ideal for this sort of therapy because you only need to correct the defect in a small number of immune cells to fix the problem," said Dr. Porteus, assistant professor of pediatrics and biochemistry at UT Southwestern. "This is called selective advantage; the healthy cells grow and divide preferentially over the mutant ones." ....
...Continue reading "New Gene Therapy and Stem Cell Technique Using Natural Repair Processes"
Posted on April 10, 2005 11:32 PM | Comments (0)
Progenitor Cell Therapy, LLC Corp. Sheet
Corporate Summary (site quote):
Andrew L. Pecora, M.D. and Robert A. Preti, Ph.D. founded Progenitor Cell Therapy, LLC (PCT), in 1997 as a New Jersey limited liability company.
...Continue reading "Progenitor Cell Therapy, LLC Corp. Sheet"
Posted on April 8, 2005 06:07 PM | Comments (0)
Cells Caught In a Time Warp? Wired Sings Dedifferentiation
Wired has an interesting article that discusses the idea of dedifferentiation. Basically, as we all know, when a salamander or newt or even some lizards have their tail cut off, they can grow replacements. What happens is that the animal's cells revert to earlier versions of themselves. This is the process of dedifferentiation.
Now, here is the catch that makes us all perk our ears ... researchers who have been studying this type of cellular reversion hope to be able to induce human cells to do this. Even to revert back all the way to stem cells.....
...Continue reading "Cells Caught In a Time Warp? Wired Sings Dedifferentiation"
Posted on April 8, 2005 05:40 PM | Comments (0)
Scientists Share Type 1 Diabetes Research
With the news regarding coaxing white blood cells to produce insulin, this conference, which will be taking place tomorrow, hopefully will discuss some more of this research. Hope to hear some more on this soon ....
The American Diabetes Association Research Foundation announced today its first ever Islet Cell Summit, taking place in Chicago, Illinois on Friday, April 8th. The Summit will convene seven of the world's leading researchers who have received ADA Islet Cell Replacement Research Awards and are currently about fifteen months into their three to four year projects. These research awards support investigators who are developing basic science, clinical and translational research focusing on islet ( insulin-producing ) cell replacement in type 1 diabetes. The work of these researchers could lead to procedures that would ultimately restore the body's ability to produce insulin.
The scientists' ongoing work reflects one of three major focus areas:
* Genetic engineering of non-pancreatic cells into glucose-sensitive, insulin-producing cells;
* Transforming stem cells or pancreatic ductal cells into insulin producing cells; and
* Transplanting non-human islet cells to restore normal glucose levels in people with diabetes, with particular focus on preventing rejection of these islets by the immune system.
...Continue reading "Scientists Share Type 1 Diabetes Research"
Posted on April 7, 2005 11:22 PM | Comments (0)
The Nation's Leading Speakers Confirmed for Upcoming Stem Cell Conference
ROCKVILLE, Md., April 7 /PRNewswire/ -- The Tech Council of Maryland and Arent Fox announced and confirmed one of the most impressive rosters of speakers ever assembled on stem cells for the Business of Stem Cell Research Conference, on April 25, 2005 at the Bethesda North Marriott Conference Center in Rockville, MD.
With legislation pending throughout the country and literally millions of dollars of stem cell money at stake, this conference offers the best look at business issues surrounding the most revolutionary scientific issue since genetic mapping. Hosted in Maryland, home of the genome and the nation's 3rd largest biotechnology industry, the event is expected to draw more than 100 senior-level executives from across the country....
...Continue reading "The Nation's Leading Speakers Confirmed for Upcoming Stem Cell Conference"
Posted on April 7, 2005 07:11 PM | Comments (0)
Cord Blood America Files 10-KSB, Reports 167% Revenue Increase Over Previous Year
LOS ANGELES, CA -- (Market Wire - Apr 07, 2005) -- Cord Blood America, Inc. (OTC BB: CBAI), an umbilical cord blood stem cell preservation company, has reported financial results for the year ended December 31, 2004. The Company also announced that it has filed its Form 10-KSB for 2004 with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
For the year ended December 31, 2004, Cord Blood America reported revenue of $751,850, up 167% over 2003 net revenue of $281,175. The company also reported a gross profit of $154,502, up 87% over 2003 gross profit of 82,405, and a net loss of $1.65 million, or $(0.07) per diluted share, compared to a 2003 net loss of $45,838 or $(2.87) per diluted share.
The increase in expenses is a result of doubling the sales staff headcount, deployment of a new customer database, new accounting system, new sales and marketing management system, new network infrastructure, additional office space, additional general and administrative costs, and new marketing initiatives.
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Posted on April 7, 2005 04:52 PM | Comments (0)
IRRC’s Primer on Stem Cell Research Assists Institutional Investors in Social Policy Development
(CSRwire) WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Investor Responsibility Research Center’s newly released Stem Cell Research: An Analysis for Investors, 2nd Edition, is the resource of “choice” for inves-tors grappling with the ethical, scientific and financial decisions associated with investments in companies conducting stem cell research. Institutional investors can count on an impartial and concise analysis of the stem cell research debate that covers the most up-to-date developments on the political, social and financial fronts affecting the industry.
"With stem cell research inextricably linked to the controversies surrounding abortion and clon-ing, many institutional investors are struggling to develop a policy regarding investments in this fast-paced field,” says Craig Metrick, Director of Corporate Benchmarking Service at IRRC. “Portfolio managers who need information on this issue can obtain historical and the most cur-rent data available in this report.”
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