May 2005 Archives
Serologicals Corporation To Present At 2005 Pacific Growth Equities Life Sciences Growth Conference
ATLANTA, GA – May 31, 2005 – Serologicals Corporation (Nasdaq/NM: SERO) today announced that it is scheduled to give an investor presentation at the 2005 Pacific Growth Equities Life Sciences Growth Conference on June 6, 2005...
...Posted on May 31, 2005 05:13 PM | Comments (0)
Favrille, Inc. Announces Status of Patient Enrollment in Phase III Registration Trial
SAN DIEGO, May 31 - Favrille, Inc. (Nasdaq:FVRL), a biopharmaceutical company developing targeted immunotherapies for cancer and diseases of the immune system, announced today that it has enrolled 220 eligible patients into its Phase III registration clinical trial testing its lead product candidate, FavId(R), following Rituxan(R) in patients with follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL).
This represents approximately 65% of the 342 randomized, evaluable patients required to be enrolled in the trial. As originally projected, the Company expects to complete enrollment on schedule by year end.
...Posted on May 31, 2005 04:54 PM | Comments (0)
Initial Discoverer of Stem Cells To Test Drugs With Stem Cell Research
Business Week has an article regarding Jamie Thomson, who is the researcher that is credited as being the first to isolate human embryonic stem cells. Effectively Thomson wants to head out into the commercial sector with the hope to profit from his discovery.
Despite the ongoing ethics debate in Washington over federal funding for stem cell research, Jamie Thomson and his colleagues from the University of Wisconsin-Madison have now formed a company to with the goal of testing new drugs on heart cells which they hope to develop from the undifferentiated master cells.
...Continue reading "Initial Discoverer of Stem Cells To Test Drugs With Stem Cell Research"
Posted on May 31, 2005 03:02 PM | Comments (0)
Advanced Cell Technology Reports 2005 First Quarter Results and Highlights Intellectual Property Portfolio
Worcester, MA, May 24, 2005 – A.C.T. Holdings, Inc. (OTC BB: ACTH.OB) and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. (collectively "ACT") announced that the Company has filed Form 10-QSB with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") releasing results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2005. In addition, the Form 10-QSB includes additional disclosure about ACT, including an overview of its business and the field of regenerative medicine, a description of technology and research programs and an overview of the intellectual property portfolio...
...Posted on May 31, 2005 02:52 PM | Comments (0)
CuraGen Announces Single-Dose Phase I Data on Velafermin (CG53135) for Prevention of Oral Mucositis
NEW HAVEN, Conn., May 17 - CuraGen Corporation (Nasdaq: CRGN) today announced that Michael W. Schuster, M.D., Principal Investigator, Professor of Clinical Medicine in the Division of Hematology/Oncology at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University, and Director of Stem Cell Transplantation at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center presented the final Phase I results for a single-dose of velafermin (CG53135) for the prevention of oral mucositis (OM) in patients receiving high dose chemotherapy (HDCT) followed by autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting in Orlando, FL. The final results from this Phase I study suggest velafermin (CG53135) is well tolerated following intravenous administration with data supporting the Company's ongoing Phase II trial and strategy of investigating a single-dose of velafermin (CG53135) for the prevention of OM.
...Posted on May 31, 2005 02:43 PM | Comments (0)
Cord Blood America Provides Corporate Update Discussing Bill HR-2520 and Media Coverage For Cord Blood Stem Cell Transplants
LOS ANGELES, May 25, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Cord Blood America, Inc. (OTCBB:CBAI), an umbilical cord blood stem cell preservation company, is pleased to provide this first installment in a series of Corporate Updates. The purpose of this information campaign is to provide both Cord Blood America investors and the investment community as a whole with a comprehensive overview of the Company, its services and its industry during a time of rapid growth and development.
In this corporate update, our focus is on Bill HR-2520 and further positive industry coverage in the media.
...Posted on May 30, 2005 03:48 PM | Comments (0)
New Stem Cell Institute Already Attracting Top Scientists to Bay Area
Two of the nation's best know and top stem cell researchers are headed to Stanford University this fall. What brought them from their relatively safe positions elsewhere? Part of what attracted them in part is the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine.
Stanford University will add to their list of biotech researchers Stefan Heller, a Ph.D. currently involed with the Stem Cell Institute at Harvard. Furthermore, Dr. Michael Clarke, who is currently a professor of internal medicine at the University of Michigan.
...Continue reading "New Stem Cell Institute Already Attracting Top Scientists to Bay Area"
Posted on May 30, 2005 03:45 PM | Comments (0)
Hwang Woo-suk Criticizes Bush's Stem Cell Policy
The widely spoken of Korean scientist Hwang Woo-suk, recently criticized the Bush Administration's policy of not supporting stem cell research. Dr. Hwang stated that the policy impedes U.S. potential to make medical breakthroughs.
...Continue reading "Hwang Woo-suk Criticizes Bush's Stem Cell Policy"
Posted on May 30, 2005 03:39 PM | Comments (0)
Human Cloning Foundation hails Newcastle University
The Human Cloning Foundation (HCF) hailed recent news that a University of Newcastle team in the United Kingdom had successfully cloned a human embryo in Britain for the first time.
“The significance of this achievement is that the cloned human embryo can provide stem cells that can be used for treating all kinds of degenerative diseases,” said David Madrigal, HCF spokesman. “It’s a major step forward for British research into human cloning.”
...Continue reading "Human Cloning Foundation hails Newcastle University"
Posted on May 30, 2005 03:30 PM | Comments (0)
Doctors Report Regrowing Patient's Livers From Stem Cells
Doctors in the UK are announcing that they have made a significant breakthrough using patients' own stem cells to regrow their own livers. This obviously adds to the hope that one day, researchers could develop methods of replacing organ transplant procedures in future.
Six weeks ago stem cells were extracted from the blood of five human volunteers, and were then injected back into the patient's livers. Early results show that inside the patients' livers, the cells have already started to grow.
...Continue reading "Doctors Report Regrowing Patient's Livers From Stem Cells"
Posted on May 30, 2005 03:14 PM | Comments (0)
Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act of 2005 (HR-2520) Passes the House of Representatives
RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif., May 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- ThermoGenesis Corp. (Nasdaq: KOOL) announced today that HR-2520, the "Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act of 2005" was passed by virtually unanimous decision by the House of Representatives. This Bill amends the Public Health Service Act to establish a National Cord Blood Stem Cell Bank Network to prepare, store and distribute human umbilical cord blood stem cells for the treatment of patients and to support peer-reviewed research using such cells. This authorizing legislation follows the initial $19.4 million appropriation to collect cryopreserved cord blood stem cell units with extended funding over five years.
...Posted on May 30, 2005 11:27 AM | Comments (0)
Bio-Matrix Scientific Group Clarifies Previous Announcement of Stock Distribution and Reverse Split
A spokesperson for Bio-Matrix Scientific Group Inc. (Pink Sheets:BMXG) noted the Company has received numerous questions about its May 20th announcement of a stock dividend in its wholly owned subsidiary, Frezer Inc. and a 1-for-10 reverse stock split. In an effort to address these questions, the following points were offered by the Company:
...Posted on May 29, 2005 09:51 PM | Comments (0)
Bio-Matrix Scientific Group Inc. Announces Regenerative Medicine Company Spin-off and Re-Structuring
SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 20, 2005--Bio-Matrix Scientific Group, Inc. (Pink Sheets:BMXG) today announced (a) a Stock Distribution of a wholly owned subsidiary and (b) a 1-for-10 Reverse Stock Split.
A spokesperson for the Company said that its Board of Directors plans to spin-off 6,035,501 shares of the common stock of Frezer, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Bio-Matrix Scientific Group, to BMXG shareholders of record as of May 31, 2005.
...Posted on May 29, 2005 09:47 PM | Comments (0)
StemCyte Corp. Sheet
Corporate Summary (site quote):
StemCyte specializes in stem cell technology such as transplantation therapy, diagnostics, research and development, and genomics. One area of focus is in Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cell Transplantation (UCBSCT), a substitute for traditional bone marrow transplantation (BMT). This new technology offers a new avenue of treatment for hundreds of thousands of patients with cancers and genetic diseases. Cord blood transplantation has proven to be effective with over 2,000 transplantations performed to date and shown to be equal to bone marrow transplantation in most aspects, including survival. However, due to the high cost, to date, more than ten years after the first cord blood transplantation, only a few tens of thousands specimens have been banked in the world, mostly by non-profit or government-backed agencies. Therefore, SCI intends to create the largest donor umbilical cord blood stem cell bank in the world.
...Continue reading "StemCyte Corp. Sheet"
Posted on May 28, 2005 02:01 PM | Comments (0)
Blood Cord Donations Needed From and For African Americans
Umbilical cord blood contains rich cells that can be used to treat some forms of cancer, leukemia, immune system disorders and sickle cell. That makes the need even more pertinent in the African American community, said Sharon Bolster Mills, manager of the ItxM Clinical Cord Blood Services in Glenview.
...Continue reading "Blood Cord Donations Needed From and For African Americans"
Posted on May 27, 2005 12:22 PM | Comments (0)
St. Louis Missouri Lab Dispenses Cord Blood
A small lab in St. Louis, Missouri is working towards the goal to use stem cells from newborns' umbilical cord blood to treat some of the nation's most deadly diseases.
The St. Louis Cord Blood Bank has put together what is being reported is the second largest inventory in the world of cord blood listed on a public registry thusfar....
...Continue reading "St. Louis Missouri Lab Dispenses Cord Blood"
Posted on May 27, 2005 12:17 PM | Comments (0)
Researchers Look at Stem Cells to Repair Damage Caused by Multiple Sclerosis
CALGARY, May 26 /CNW/ - Three North American research centres are examining the body's own stem cells in hopes that they may hold the key to repairing damage caused by multiple sclerosis. If successful, people with MS may be able to regain losses of physical ability caused by the often-debilitating disease.
The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada and related MS Scientific Research Foundation announced the funding of $2.25 million to allow scientists from the Hotchkiss Brain Institute in Calgary, Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota and Montreal Neurological Institute to continue their ground-breaking work.
Continue reading "Researchers Look at Stem Cells to Repair Damage Caused by Multiple Sclerosis"
Posted on May 27, 2005 12:14 PM | Comments (0)
Five Nines Ltd. Details New Business Direction
RICHFIELD, OH, May 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Five Nines Ltd. (the "Company") (PINK SHEETS: FVNN) Carman Parente, President of Five Nines, Ltd. reports that the Company has appointed C. Bernard Cardwell as the Company's new Chairman of the Board. Mr. Cardwell, is the President and majority shareholder of OBGYN Cell Secure Inc. ("O-Cell-S"), the corporation with whom Five Nines recently executed an acquisition agreement.
"Following completion of the earlier announced acquisition is our intention to immediately direct our efforts to fulfilling the O-Cell-S business model." said Mr. Cardwell.
...Continue reading "Five Nines Ltd. Details New Business Direction"
Posted on May 27, 2005 09:10 AM | Comments (0)
Czech Republic: Europe's New Biotech Corridor at BIO 2005
SAN MATEO, CA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 05/19/2005 -- CzechInvest, the Investment and Business Development Agency of the Czech Republic, today announced the Czech Republic will showcase leading Czech-based biotechnology companies at the upcoming Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) annual convention, BIO 2005, June 19-22 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia.
"The Czech Republic is becoming the biotechnology corridor of Central and Eastern Europe," says Radomil Novák, Chief Executive Officer of CzechInvest. "This emergent technology sector is garnering international acclaim for its breakthroughs in stem cell research, hepatitis and AIDS (HIV) treatments, and for leading-edge biotechnology-nanotechnology processes."
...Continue reading "Czech Republic: Europe's New Biotech Corridor at BIO 2005"
Posted on May 27, 2005 08:52 AM | Comments (0)
Protein Helps Regulate the Genes of Embryonic Stem Cells
New research from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill shows how a protein may be crucial to the regulation of genes in embryonic stem cells.
The protein, called "eed," is needed for an essential chemical modification of many genes. Embryos cannot survive without the modification.
The findings appear in the May 24 issue of the journal Current Biology.
The research offers an important contribution to a new wave of thinking in genetics: that not all human disease states are due to alterations in DNA sequence. Dr. Terry Magnuson - Sarah Graham Kenan professor, chairman of genetics and director of the Carolina Center for Genome Sciences in UNC's School of Medicine - led the research.
...Continue reading "Protein Helps Regulate the Genes of Embryonic Stem Cells"
Posted on May 25, 2005 10:04 PM | Comments (0)
Adult Stem Cells Yield Groundbreaking Therapies Without Controversy
Stem Cell Therapies Show Hope for People With Cancer, Muscular Dystrophy and Arthritis
ARLINGTON, Va., May 25 /PRNewswire/ -- The use of adult stem cells promises to grow as the controversy over the use of human embryonic stem cells remains a hotbed political, ethical and religious issue. At the upcoming 2005 American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists' (AAPS) National Biotechnology Conference in San Francisco, embryonic and adult-derived stem cells will take center stage as the nation's leading scientists discuss how their research can be immediately applied to create therapies for cancer, muscular dystrophy, arthritis, neurodegenerative disorders, cystic fibrosis, and bone injuries. As the nation continues to debate the ethics and efficacy of using human embryonic stem cells, scientists will demonstrate how the use of adult stem cells has opened the door to groundbreaking therapies including the use of muscle stem cells for arthritis and umbilical cord blood for leukemia.
...Continue reading "Adult Stem Cells Yield Groundbreaking Therapies Without Controversy"
Posted on May 25, 2005 09:03 PM | Comments (0)
Team IDs mechanism for multiplying adult stem cells
While research on human embryonic stem cells gets most of the press, scientists are also investigating the potential therapeutic uses of adult stem cells. Although less controversial, this research faces other difficulties. Adult stem cells are extremely difficult to isolate and multiply in the lab.
Now, as reported in the May 6 issue of Cell, researchers led by Rudolf Jaenisch of the Whitehead Institute have discovered a mechanism that might enable scientists to multiply adult stem cells quickly and efficiently.
...Continue reading "Team IDs mechanism for multiplying adult stem cells"
Posted on May 25, 2005 02:03 PM | Comments (0)
Stem Cell Bill Passes US House But Bush Fires Back
The House voted today to lift the current limits on embryonic stem cell research. This latest measure is thought that it could accelerate cures for diseases but opponents viewed as controversial as abortion.
Bush called the bill a mistake and clearly stated that he intends to veto it. The House approved the bill by a 238-194 vote, which falls far short of the two-thirds majority that would be needed to override a Presidential veto.
...Continue reading "Stem Cell Bill Passes US House But Bush Fires Back"
Posted on May 25, 2005 02:02 AM | Comments (0)
Remarks by President Bush on Bioethics
WASHINGTON, May 24 /PRNewswire/ -- The following are remarks by President Bush on Bioethics:
The East Room
2:07 P.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all. Please be seated. Good afternoon, and welcome to the White House. I have just met with 21 remarkable families. Each of them has answered the call to ensure that our society's most vulnerable members are protected and defended at every stage of life...
Continue reading "Remarks by President Bush on Bioethics"
Posted on May 25, 2005 12:08 AM | Comments (0)
Lifebank Cryogenics Signs Exclusive Technology License Agreement with University of Alberta in Pursuit of New Health Treatments
Burnaby, BC., May 18, 2005 - Lifebank Cryogenics Corp., the only umbilical cord blood stem cell bank in Canada to be accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks, today announced it has signed an exclusive license agreement with the University of Alberta for a new technology that has the potential to set a new clinical standard for stem cell storage and preservation.
Umbilical cord blood (UCB) stem cells have been used to successfully treat a variety of blood disorders and cancers. Additional potential stem cell therapies for treating spinal cord, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative conditions are being actively pursued by the scientific and medical community.
...Posted on May 24, 2005 11:05 AM | Comments (0)
MultiCell Announces Results of Shareholders' Meeting
LINCOLN, R.I. – (BUSINESS WIRE) – May 19, 2005 – MultiCell Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB: MUCL - NEWS), a leading supplier of immortalized non-tumorigenic human hepatocytes as pharmaceutical candidate optimization tools, announced today the results from its Annual Shareholders meeting held Wednesday, May 18, 2005 at the Hilton Mission Bay in San Diego, CA.
Jerry Newmin, Co-Chairman and CEO, welcomed attendees, introduced the board of directors, officers and guests, and conducted the meeting. Shareholders ratified all items on the proxy statement including: 1) The election of Stephen Chang, Ph.D., Anthony Cataldo, W. Gerald Newmin, Thomas A. Page, Ann Ryder Randolph, Edward Sigmond as Directors for a one-year term; 2) The ratification of J.H. Cohn, LLP as independent public accountants; 3) A one for five reverse stock split and 4) An amendment to the 2005 Equity Incentive Plan. Details of voting results will be published in the Company's second quarter report on Form 10QSB.
...Continue reading "MultiCell Announces Results of Shareholders' Meeting"
Posted on May 23, 2005 06:17 PM | Comments (0)
Stem Cell Action Network - Tuesday is the big day in Congress
Monday, May 23 is National Call-in/Fax Day for Congress. If you have already contacted your representative, please ask your 5 (10?) best friends to do so on your behalf.
PLEASE SUPPORT H.R. 810 THE STEM CELL RESEARCH ENHANCEMENT ACT
JOIN WITH OVER 200 MAJOR PATIENT GROUPS, SCIENTISTS, AND MEDICAL RESEARCH GROUPS IN SUPPORT OF ACCELERATING HOPE FOR MILLIONS OF AMERICANS
Embryonic stem cell research is important because of the significant promise it holds for developing treatments and therapies for a wide range of diseases that affect millions of Americans.
...Continue reading "Stem Cell Action Network - Tuesday is the big day in Congress"
Posted on May 23, 2005 03:52 PM | Comments (0)
Patients Rally on Capitol Hill to Urge Passage of Historic Stem Cell Legislation Tuesday in Washington
The House of Representatives will have an historic opportunity today to vote on legislation to expand the current federal stem cell policy. This is the first bill to be voted on to expand the current policy since it was announced by President Bush on August 9, 2001. H.R. 810, introduced by Representatives Castle (R-DE) and DeGette (D-CO), has broad bipartisan support and would build upon the existing federal guidelines at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to oversee the ethical use of embryonic stem cells while expanding the number of lines eligible for federal funding...
...Posted on May 23, 2005 03:49 PM | Comments (0)
Statement on Recent Report in Science Magazine “Patient-Specific Embryonic Stem Cells Derived from Human SCNT Blastocysts”
“This vital scientific discovery is as groundbreaking as the discovery of embryonic stem cells in 1998. It is news that will excite the scientific community and give hope to millions of patients waiting for help.”
“The research presented today shows yet again the undeniable promise of regenerative medicine. This work is powerful evidence that stem cell research can unlock the keys to understanding and eventually treating conditions from spinal cord injuries to diabetes.”
...Posted on May 23, 2005 03:46 PM | Comments (0)
Geron Corporation To Present At UBS 2005 Global Pharmaceuticals Conference
Menlo Park, CA — May 20, 2005 -- Geron Corporation (Nasdaq: GERN) will be presenting an update of the company’s product development programs on Tuesday, May 24, 2005, at the UBS 2005 Global Pharmaceuticals Conference at 10:30 a.m., Eastern Time in New York City.
The update of Geron’s portfolio of telomerase-based anti-cancer therapies includes GRN163L and the ex vivo telomerase vaccine. The presentation will also include reviews of the company’s human embryonic stem cell (hESC) research in spinal cord injury, diabetes and heart disease. Thomas B. Okarma, Ph.D., M.D., Geron’s president and chief executive officer, will be giving the presentation.
...Continue reading "Geron Corporation To Present At UBS 2005 Global Pharmaceuticals Conference"
Posted on May 23, 2005 02:56 PM | Comments (0)
More on Cloning and Stem Cell Research News From Korea
With all the news, including tons of coverage on the popular TV media outlets like CNN and BBC, the breakthrough announcements coming out of Korea are sweeping the minds and attentions of people all across the world. We have been out of town for the weekend, but still the rippling effect of the cloning research being done in Korea still was on every TV we passed by it seemed.
However, this news has many in the US running a bit scared so to speak. Combine that with the efforts to block legislation promoting further funding of embryonic stem cell research in the nation's capital. A busy next few months its going to be here.
Since I am a big fan of Wired, lets look at their latest article today first, as they have some relevant insight. This one discusses how American embryonic stem-cell scientists are naturally concerned that the lack of government funding and hostility toward the field of stem cell research and theraputic cloning is causing them to fall behind other countries. Naturally in this case, the focus is the research done in South Korea....
...Continue reading "More on Cloning and Stem Cell Research News From Korea"
Posted on May 23, 2005 02:36 PM | Comments (0)
Cord Blood Transplantation: An Update And View To The Future
A stem cell transplant from donated umbilical cord blood is sometimes the only hope a patient has for survival, but a patient's medical team may not be aware of the current stem cell options for patients in need of hematopoietic stem cell transplants.
This is exactly what the symposium, "Cord Blood Transplantation: An Update and View to the Future," aims to change. This symposium, hosted by The Bone Marrow Foundation and New York Blood Center's National Cord Blood Program will be held from 6 p.m.-9:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 24 at The New York Academy of Medicine, 1216 Fifth Avenue (at 103rd Street) in New York City.
...Continue reading "Cord Blood Transplantation: An Update And View To The Future"
Posted on May 23, 2005 11:19 AM | Comments (0)
Bush would veto House bill on stem cells
President Bush stated this past Friday that he intends to veto legislation that would reduce restrictions on government funding of embryonic stem cell research. Bush went further and expressed concern about the .
In the House of Representatives, the bill which promotes expanded embryonic research hope for a vote next week and it is believed that it will be close. The bill has bi-partison support and it sponsored by Republican Rep. Mike Castle of Delaware and Democratic Rep. Diane DeGette of Colorado.
Bush stated that this bill would violate his principles....
...Continue reading "Bush would veto House bill on stem cells"
Posted on May 23, 2005 11:14 AM | Comments (0)
Gene Keeps Neural Cells on Correct Developmental Path
Embryonic stem cells with identical genomes grow into distinctive tissues, such as heart, bone, and brain. At one time, scientists believed the differences among cell types arose from various sets of genes switched on inside developing cells. Then, studies showed that adult neurons uniquely lack a protein that permanently turns off neuronal genes in the rest of the body's cells.
Now, it turns out that precursor nerve cells contain that same repressive protein after all. In fact, the protein directs the complex network of genes that transforms an embryonic stem cell into a mature nerve cell, say Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) researchers.
...Continue reading "Gene Keeps Neural Cells on Correct Developmental Path"
Posted on May 20, 2005 02:13 PM | Comments (0)
Cloned Embryos Created to Match Stem Cells, Patients
South Korean scientists have announced a highly efficient way to clone human cells. This latest discovery could alter the scientific and political debate over the procedure.
Effectively they have created 11 new lines of cloned human embryonic stem cells. For the first time, this includes two that are genetically matched to patients with a disease. The two disease-carrying cell lines were cloned from patients with juvenile diabetes and an inherited blood disorder.
...Continue reading "Cloned Embryos Created to Match Stem Cells, Patients"
Posted on May 20, 2005 01:13 PM | Comments (0)
Long-Term Outcomes Studied for Stem Cell Transplant Recipients
WASHINGTON, May 19 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Improved techniques and supportive care have resulted in a growing number of long-term survivors of stem cell transplants, though little is known about the impact transplants have on patients' lives long after treatment. To find the answers, researchers from the City of Hope Cancer Center and the University of Minnesota assessed 854 cancer patients that had undergone stem cell transplants, taking a detailed look at the aftereffects of the procedure in the years following the transplant. Their results will be published in the June 1, 2005, issue of Blood, the official journal of the American Society of Hematology.
...Continue reading "Long-Term Outcomes Studied for Stem Cell Transplant Recipients"
Posted on May 19, 2005 06:45 PM | Comments (0)
Joining Folding@Home With FightingAging.org
Not exactly a stem cell related article, but since we are all looking in effectively the same direction, we decided to toss a few cycles out to the Longevity Meme and Fighting Aging team on Folding@Home.
To those of you who have some spare PC cycles you can spare, feel free to follow this link to the FightingAging site and sign up using their team number to help us all out. The more thats found in research, the more we know, and with some hope cure diseases, extend life .. and even more importantly to us here ... improve quality of life.
To those of you who don't know what Folding@Home does .. this is a system that runs in the background of your PC, helping to do research regarding protein folding. Straight from the site: Folding@Home is a distributed computing project which studies protein folding, misfolding, aggregation, and related diseases. We use novel computational methods and large scale distributed computing, to simulate timescales thousands to millions of times longer than previously achieved. This has allowed us to simulate folding for the first time, and to now direct our approach to examine folding related disease.
...Posted on May 19, 2005 03:00 PM | Comments (0)
MacroPore Biosurgery Announces First Quarter Financial Results; Reaffirms
San Diego, CA May 12, 2005- Macropore Biosurgery, Inc. (Frankfurt: XMP),today announced financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2005.
Total revenues for the first quarter of 2005 were $1,789,000 compared to $2,352,000 for the same period in 2004. The decline in revenues is
attributable to the absence of Craniomaxillofacial (CMF) and Thin Film sales as a result of divesting these product lines to Medtronic, Inc. (Medtronic) and MAST Biosurgery AG (MAST), respectively. Of the total revenue for the first quarter of 2005, $1,755,000 was attributable to HYDROSORB™ sales, compared to $1,647,000 for the same period in 2004.
HYDROSORB™ sales grew sequentially for the second consecutive quarter due predominantly to stocking orders for the radiographically identifiable Spine System...
...Continue reading "MacroPore Biosurgery Announces First Quarter Financial Results; Reaffirms"
Posted on May 19, 2005 10:48 AM | Comments (0)
MacroPore Biosurgery Amends Stockholder Rights Plan
San Diego, CA, May 18, 2005 - MacroPore Biosurgery, Inc. (Frankfurt: XMP) today announced its Board of Directors has amended the Company’s Stockholder Rights Plan, which was adopted in 2003. This Amendment allows Neil Gagnon (including Gagnon Securities LLC) to beneficially own up to 20 percent of the outstanding shares of the Company’s Common Stock, before triggering the protective rights of the Plan. All other provisions of the Plan remain unmodified and in full force and effect. A copy of the Amendment to the Company's Stockholder Rights Plan has been filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission.
...Continue reading "MacroPore Biosurgery Amends Stockholder Rights Plan"
Posted on May 19, 2005 10:30 AM | Comments (0)
Infants with Rare Genetic Disease Saved By Cord Blood Stem Cells
DURHAM, N.C. – Children with a fatal genetic disorder called Krabbe Disease can be saved and their brain development preserved if they receive stem cells from umbilical cord blood before symptoms of the disease develop, according to a study published in the May 19, 2005, issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Without an immediate transplant of stem cells, Krabbe infants rapidly begin to lose all cognitive and motor functions and die by the age of two, said the researchers. They are from Duke University Medical Center's Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplant Program and The Clinical Center for the Study of Development & Learning at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH).
...Continue reading "Infants with Rare Genetic Disease Saved By Cord Blood Stem Cells"
Posted on May 19, 2005 02:29 AM | Comments (0)
Sen. Sam Brownback Visits National Cord Blood Program, Meeting Cord Blood Recipients and Continuing His Support for A National Cord Blood Stem Cell Bank Network
NEW YORK, May 16 -- Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.) toured New York Blood Center's National Cord Blood Program and met with cord blood transplant recipients Jaclyn Albanese and Stephen Sprague as a lead co-sponsor of the Cord Blood Stem Cell Act of 2005 (S. 681) during a recent visit to New York. In the course of his visit, Senator Brownback talked with staff of the National Cord Blood Program and continued to emphasize the importance of setting up the National Cord Blood Stem Cell Bank Network. New York Blood Center's (NYBC) President and CEO, Robert L. Jones, M.D., and its National Cord Blood Program Director, Pablo Rubinstein, M.D., recognized the leadership that Senator Brownback has exerted since this effort started in 2002.
...Posted on May 18, 2005 12:06 PM | Comments (0)
Aastrom Stock Sees Significant Movement pops on stem cell results
Aastrom Biosciences Inc. stock rocketed sharply today on the news that its therapy for severe bone fractures treatment was successful clinical trials.
Effectively Aastrom (ASTM) shares went up 16% to close at $2.38....
...Continue reading "Aastrom Stock Sees Significant Movement pops on stem cell results"
Posted on May 18, 2005 02:41 AM | Comments (0)
Aastrom Biosciences Reports Positive Bone Repair Results In Clinical Feasibility Trial
Ann Arbor, Michigan, May 17, 2005 -- Aastrom Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: ASTM) announced today the results from its feasibility clinical trial conducted with the Institut de Terapia Regenerativa Tisular (ITRT) in Barcelona, Spain to evaluate the use of Aastrom's Tissue Repair Cells (TRCs) for the treatment of severe long bone non-union fractures. A report with details of the clinical study is being filed today on Form 8-K with the SEC, providing information on each patient treatment and the results obtained. The report states that all of the patients treated with Aastrom's TRCs, an autologous bone marrow-derived cell product, exhibited clinical and functional healing, with 5 of 6 treatments showing bone regeneration at the fracture site as determined by radiographic imaging by 6 months. The results were notable in that each patient had failed prior treatment with standard of care methodologies and had a poor prognosis for healing. This feasibility trial suggests that Aastrom's autologous TRCs may offer a new way to achieve local bone regeneration for bone grafting and other clinical indications for bone repair. In addition to the Form 8-K filed with the SEC, the report detailing the results from the feasibility clinical trial in Barcelona may be accessed on Aastrom's website using the following link: http://www.aastrom.com/pdf/Whitepaper_Barcelona-051205.pdf.
...Posted on May 17, 2005 10:20 PM | Comments (0)
Unrestrained Retina Too Much of A Good Thing
La Jolla, CA — When primitive nerve cells begin forming an eye in the mouse embryo, they are programmed to build a retina. But the ability to see depends upon connecting the retina to the brain via the optic nerve. Unless these embryonic cells are given the right cue at the right time, they mistakenly form a huge eye that consists entirely of retina and lacks the optic nerve.
The discovery that the retina is the 'default' setting for development in the embryonic eye comes from research by neurobiologist Greg Lemke and his colleagues at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, published in the current issue of Genes & Development. The scientists carried out their work on the laboratory mouse as a model of human biology.
...Continue reading "Unrestrained Retina Too Much of A Good Thing"
Posted on May 17, 2005 10:14 PM | Comments (0)
Cloning To Develop Stem Cells In An Effort To Cure Blood Diseases
In the fight to turn back the fatal blood diseases like leukemia, the most powerful tool thusfar has been the bone-marrow transplant. However, many patients are unable to find a donor who is a close-enough match to limit the risk of rejection.
Even in the instance when there is a good match, the overall treatment procedure is still quite risky. The Children's Hospital in Boston is considered one of the best program is considered one of the world's bes. Nevertheless, 8 percent of its transplant patients die within approximately one year, as indicated by last year's statistics....
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Posted on May 17, 2005 02:07 PM | Comments (0)
PharmaFrontiers Adds Three Members to Its Scientific Advisory Board
THE WOODLANDS, Texas May 17, 2005 PharmaFrontiers Corp. (OTCBB:PFTR), a company involved in the development and commercialization of cell therapies, announced today that it has appointed three new members to its scientific advisory board (SAB). The new members are Norman Barton, M.D., Ph.D., executive vice president and chief medical officer of CepTor Corporation; Daniel R. Marshak, Ph.D., senior vice president -- research and development, and chief technology officer for Cambrex; and Shelly Heimfeld, Ph.D., director of the Stem Cell Program at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Washington.
These new members join Eliezer Huberman, Ph.D. (SAB Chairman), the director of Biological & Biotechnological Research at the Argonne National Laboratory since 1981 and a noted authority in the area of adult pluripotent stem cell technology; and Dr. Jingwu Zhang, professor of Neurology and Immunology at Baylor College of Medicine and Scientific Director of the Baylor-Methodist Multiple Sclerosis Center in Houston since 1996.
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Posted on May 17, 2005 01:54 PM | Comments (0)
Precise timing enabled pig-to-rat transplants to cure diabetes
May 16, 2005 — Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have learned that a temporal "window of opportunity" was critical to their earlier successes in treating diabetic rats with embryonic pig tissues.
In those experiments, published in 2004, researchers were surprised to find that they didn't have to give anti-rejection drugs to diabetic rats treated with embryonic pig cell transplants. They had expected rats that received no immune suppression would reject the transplants. Instead, the new tissues engrafted with little difficulty, curing the rats of their diabetes....
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Posted on May 16, 2005 11:57 PM | Comments (0)
New Poll: Most Americans Oppose Federal Funding of Stem Cell Research Using Human Embryos
Now keeping in mind that this is a poll commissioned by Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, here is some news for the politics fans out there, that want to keep on top of the current movement along the stem cell research debate. Now as most have noticed, we have tried limiting our news here to research news, and less to politics. From time to time, it is perhaps good to show both sides of things.
So no matter what side of the debate you stand on, here is a poll that discusses the issue:
WASHINGTON, May 16 /PRNewswire/ -- A majority of Americans, 52 percent, oppose federal funding of embryonic stem cell research while just 36 percent support it, according to a new poll commissioned by the Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)....
...Posted on May 16, 2005 11:43 PM | Comments (0)
Russian Scientists Are Warning About Stem Cell Treatment Advertising
While we are on the topic of stem cell research in Russia, here we have a report from RIA Novosti regarding what we have heard in the past: clinics across Russia have been advertising stem cell treatments for a variety of ails, from hair loss to younger looking skin. Scientists in Russia are now warning that it is too early to do so, as representatives of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences gathered for a joint session today.
"Advertising has got far ahead of fundamental studies," said Nikolai Nikolsky, head researcher of the Cytological Institute under the Russian Academy of Sciences.
...Continue reading "Russian Scientists Are Warning About Stem Cell Treatment Advertising"
Posted on May 16, 2005 11:25 PM | Comments (0)
Russian Scientists Store Cord Blood Cells in Moscow Cord Blood Bank
The cord blood banking spreads even farther abroad. Russian specialists from Russia’s Hemobank at the national oncology center of the Russian Academy of Sciences have started to collect umbilical cord blood stem cells and store them, as is reported by RIA-Novosti.
The cells will be available for donating child to help fight any possible deadly diseases. The blood taking procedure is simple and painless. The main issue is to notify the Hemobank of the desire to bank the cord blood before the child is born. The stem cells of each newborn are kept separately and can be used only in the interests of the child or his/her family, the agency reported....
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Posted on May 16, 2005 10:59 PM | Comments (0)
Stem Cell Treatments In Horses For Tendon Injuries
An 11 year old horse that suffered a tendon injury in March of 2004, underwent a stem cell treatment recently. Co-owner Nick Mills went to Britain's VetCell BioScience Ltd., which, in partnership with the Royal Veterinary College of London, has developed a method of using stem cell technology to repair damaged tendons and ligaments.
The treatment involved extracting bone marrow from the horse's sternum while it was under sedation. The bone marrow, was then taken to a laboratory where the stem cells were isolated and multiplied to more than four million cells. The cells were then suspended in a bone marrow supernatant before being injected into the site of the injury. The goal of this type of treatment was to promote the re-growth of flexible tendon tissue, rather than allowing less pliable and more injury-prone scar tissue to form. ...
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Posted on May 16, 2005 10:40 PM | Comments (0)
Bio-Matrix Scientific Group Inc. to Manufacture It's First Set of Stem Cell Devices
SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 12, 2005--Bio-Matrix Scientific Group Inc. (Pink Sheets:BMXG) announced today that Collective Technologies will manufacture Bio-Matrix's first set of Stem Cell Devices. The Company anticipates having this set of instruments sometime within the next two weeks...
...Posted on May 16, 2005 01:52 PM | Comments (0)
President's Council on Bioethics Report Outlines Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research Alternatives
As expected, the President's Council on Bioethics on Thursday released a report outlining possible ways to move forward with embryonic stem cell research without "upsetting ethical concerns" by describing methods for producing stem cells without destroying human embryos, Reuters reports. The report was released while Congress is considering whether to loosen federal restrictions on the research (Fox, Reuters, 5/12). President Bush's embryonic stem cell policy -- which he announced on Aug. 9, 2001 -- limits federally funded embryonic stem cell research to stem cell lines created on or before that date. Critics of Bush's policy have said that the embryonic stem cell lines available for federal funding are not biologically diverse, are contaminated with nonhuman material and are useless for research into possible cures for degenerative diseases (Kaiser Daily Reproductive Health Report, 5/12). "Much of the ethical controversy over stem cells derives from the fact that, until now, the only way to obtain human pluripotent stem cell lines has been to derive them from living human embryos by a process that necessarily destroys the embryos," the report says, adding, "If a way could be found to derive such stem cell lines without creating and destroying human embryos, a good deal of that ethical controversy would subside" (Reuters, 5/12)...
...Posted on May 16, 2005 01:48 AM | Comments (0)
Favrille, Inc. (NASDAQ:FVRL) Corp. Sheet
Corporate Summary (site quote):
We are a biopharmaceutical company focused on the research, development and commercialization of targeted immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer and other diseases of the immune system. We have developed a proprietary technology that enables us to develop and manufacture active immunotherapy products that are designed to stimulate a patient's immune system to mount a specific and sustained response to disease.
...Continue reading "Favrille, Inc. (NASDAQ:FVRL) Corp. Sheet"
Posted on May 15, 2005 02:48 PM | Comments (0)
BioE, Inc. Corp. Sheet
Corporate Summary (site quote):
Founded in 1993, BioE, Inc. develops high quality, antibody-based technologies used to create a variety of leading-edge diagnostic and therapeutic products designed to continually improve patient outcomes and quality of life.
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Posted on May 15, 2005 02:23 PM | Comments (0)
Cord Blood Banking Concerns
The BBC is looking at the issues surrounding storing or banking cord blood. Effectively, storing the blood from a baby's umbilical cord and placenta is becoming the ultimate critical disease insurance policy for parents.
Most of our readers here already know that cord blood is a rich source of stem cells, which may one day be used to treat diseases such as leukaemia. What is basically being discussed here are the how doctors are starting to voice concern about this possible playing on parents fears.
BBC has learned that a group of medical experts is going to investigate this new field ....
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Posted on May 13, 2005 09:04 PM | Comments (0)
Vitamin A's Paradoxical Role in Influencing Symmetry During Embryonic Development
In this week's journal Nature, scientists at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies report that they have solved one of the “holy grail” puzzles of developmental biology: the existence of a mechanism that insures that the exterior of our bodies is symmetrical while inner organs are arranged asymmetrically.
In research with zebra fish, as a model for human biology, Juan-Carlos Belmonte and his Salk Institute colleagues found that retinoic acid (vitamin A) is the signal that buffers the influence of asymmetric cues in early-stage embryonic stem cells and allows these cells to develop symmetrically.
In the absence of retinoic acid, the exterior of our bodies would develop asymmetrically, with the result being that our right side would be shorter than the left one.
“ On the outside, the human body looks very symmetrical,” says Yasuhiko Kawakami, a senior research associate in Belmonte's Gene Expression Laboratory and the first author of the Nature paper. “But, inside the human body, the pattern of the organs is asymmetrical. For example, we don't have two stomachs, one located on the right and the other on the left. We have one stomach, located on the left half.”
...Continue reading "Vitamin A's Paradoxical Role in Influencing Symmetry During Embryonic Development"
Posted on May 13, 2005 08:01 PM | Comments (0)
Company Profile for StemCell Pharma, Inc.
May 13, 2005 Today 4 million have been diagnosed in the U. S. alone as suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Of that total, approximately 2.25 million Americans are in the early (I-III) stages. Presently, there are only about five drugs approved by the FDA for treatment, with the results of these drugs being less than satisfactory. This growing crisis challenges the medical profession to look for effective ways of handling this disease.
StemCell Pharma, Inc. believes that the beneficial results of its proprietary treatment will benefit positively not only this large group of patients, but also the highly stressed families of these patients who are burdened with their care.
Stemcell Pharma, Inc. has developed an innovative, proprietary placenta/stem cells "Implant" technique that presents a new alternative approach and represents the cutting edge in the treatment of early Alzheimer's. Without the need for FDA approval and a physician-based target market, StemCell Pharma, Inc. is positioned as a leader in the early treatment of Alzheimer's. Investors have a ground floor opportunity to not only make an excellent return projected up to 10 times within five years on their investment but also to help alleviate one of mankind's most destructive diseases. ..
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Posted on May 13, 2005 05:58 PM | Comments (0)
U.S. BioDefense To Partner With MD Andersen
U.S. BioDefense (OTCBB:UBDE) announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement with the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. The company has the priority option to review and license the patent pending technology entitled ``Use of Non-marrow Stem Cell for Cardiac Regeneration''. Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Transplants can be Life-Saving for People with Blood Cancers, Solid Tumors and Some Non-Cancerous Blood Disorders. CEO David Chin stated that, ``We are very excited to announce to shareholders that the company has entered into an evaluation agreement for the cardiac regeneration of stem cell technology. Currently, the use of these stem cells for myocardial regeneration may prove to be superior to other stem cell sources by circumventing the pain and anesthesia complications associated with bone marrow aspiration procedures, by doing so would also reduce the number of deaths associated with bone marrow transplants.'' Array BioPharma Inc. (Nasdaq: ARRY) announced that a scientific poster will be presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida....
...Posted on May 13, 2005 04:54 PM | Comments (0)
BioMS Medical announces first quarter 2005 results
EDMONTON, May 13 /CNW/ - BioMS Medical Corp (TSX: MS), a leading developer in the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS), today announced results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2005.
"During the quarter, we initiated patient dosing for our pivotal phase II/III multiple sclerosis trial for the treatment of secondary progressive MS. This trial now involves 9 sites across Canada and we are on track to expand the trial into the United Kingdom and other jurisdictions in Europe," said Mr. Kevin Giese, President of BioMS Medical. "By raising more than $41 million in the quarter through a prospectus offering, we have ensured that we are well financed to advance this trial and also undertake a Phase I clinical trial for HYC750 this year."
...Continue reading "BioMS Medical announces first quarter 2005 results"
Posted on May 13, 2005 03:15 PM | Comments (0)
Serologicals Corporation to Present at Banc of America 2005 Healthcare Conference
Serologicals Corporation (Nasdaq/NM: SERO) today announced that it is scheduled to give an investor presentation at the Banc of America 2005 Healthcare Conference on May 17, 2005.
Bud Ingalls, Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer for Serologicals Corporation, will be making the presentation, scheduled for 11:00 a.m. (ET) at the Four Seasons Hotel in Las Vegas, NV....
...Posted on May 13, 2005 01:45 PM | Comments (0)
Massachusetts Govenor Mitt Romney Wants Stem Cell Legislature Amended
Massachusetts Govenor Mitt Romney said this past Wednesday that he would ask the state legislature to amend the current stem cell bill by changing the definition of when life begins and by excluding a type of embryonic stem cell research that he opposes.
In an interview the govenor said that instead of vetoing the bill immediately, he would ask the legislature on Thursday to adopt four amendments. The legislature approved the bill overwhelmingly, by votes of 119 to 38 in the House and 34 to 2 in the Senate, which would be enough to override any veto....
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Posted on May 13, 2005 12:18 PM | Comments (0)
Stem Cell Therapeutics Corp. to Present at BioFinance 2005
CALGARY, Alberta, May 12, 2005 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Dr. Joseph Tucker, President and CEO of Stem Cell Therapeutics Corp. ("SCT"), will present a corporate overview to senior life sciences executives, institutional and venture capital investors, industry analysts, corporate finance executives and experts from the scientific and medical communities at the BioFinance 2005 Conference which will be held May 17-19 at the Toronto Marriott Eaton Centre Hotel. Dr. Tucker is scheduled to present on Wed, May 18th, at 9:30am in the Trinity V conference room.
...Continue reading "Stem Cell Therapeutics Corp. to Present at BioFinance 2005"
Posted on May 12, 2005 10:30 PM | Comments (0)
Geron Announces Publication Describing Animal Cell-Free Derivation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells
MENLO PARK, Calif. May 12, 2005 -- Geron Corporation (Nasdaq:GERN) announced today the publication of studies which show that human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) can be derived without the use of animal cell feeders.
In a report published in the May issue of Fertility and Sterility, Dr. Susan Fisher and her colleagues at the University of California, San Francisco, in collaboration with scientists at Geron, describe the derivation of new human embryonic stem cell lines which were never exposed to live cells of animal origin. As described in the new publication, irradiated human placental fibroblasts that were previously shown to be free of pathogens of human, bovine and porcine origin, were used as feeders for the hESC derivations. The new hESC lines were derived from excess embryos that were obtained from unpaid donors who had undergone in vitro fertilization and had given informed consent. No animal-derived serum was used during the culture of the new hESC lines....
Posted on May 12, 2005 07:12 PM | Comments (0)
Following Up On A Paralyzed Stem Cell Transplant Recipient
We posted a few articles previously back in January regarding the Hospital de Egas Moniz facility in Lisbon and the work being done by Dr. Carlos Lima.
In a followup with some of his patients, to see how they are getting along, we found an article that looks into the overall feeling of the patients.
Cortney Hoffman, of Michigan has surpassed her first goal coming from the therapy, that being standing unassisted. She went to Portugal in January for adult stem-cell surgery to repair her injured spinal cord.
The success of the experimental surgery, is dependent on at least two years of aggressive physical therapy...
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Posted on May 12, 2005 05:15 PM | Comments (0)
Novel Stem Cell Trial In Heart Failure Patients To Begin At University Of Pittsburgh Medical Center
PITTSBURGH, May 12, 2005 – The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) is beginning a clinical trial to evaluate the safety and feasibility of a potential treatment for congestive heart failure that involves injecting a patient’s own bone marrow-derived stem cells directly into the heart muscle. The procedure is expected to be performed in five to 10 patients who are scheduled to receive a heart assist device as a bridge to organ transplantation.
The stem cell trial is one of only a handful that has been cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for heart disease. And because most patients in the UPMC study will eventually receive transplants, the trial represents the first time researchers will be able to examine a human heart treated with stem cells, an opportunity that should help solve some of the mystery as well as resolve scientific debate about just how it is that stem cells work to improve heart function.
...Posted on May 12, 2005 04:58 PM | Comments (0)
New GOP Poll and Ad Campaign Boost Republican Main Street Partnership Support for Expanded Federal Stem Cell Policy
WASHINGTON, May 11 -- Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) joined the Republican Main Street Partnership today to unveil new national polling results showing strong Republican voter support for expanded embryonic stem cell research by a margin of 55 to 38 percent. Sen. Hatch then endorsed H.R. 810, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act sponsored by Main Street President Rep. Mike Castle (R-Del.). "I come to this issue as a strong and outspoken Right-to-Life Senator. While I admire and respect those who do not share my views on this, I do believe, very strongly, that it is possible to be both anti-abortion and pro-embryonic stem cell research".
The Senator praised Rep. Castle and Main Street for its efforts on this life saving issue, "I am also very grateful for the support of the Republican Main Street Partnership, a distinguished group of individuals who are seeking pragmatic solutions to some of the most challenging issues our nation faces. We are confident that when our colleagues and the public consider all of the issues, including the ethical questions, a good majority will reach the conclusion that this bill will advance important science and is consistent with our moral values."
...Posted on May 12, 2005 02:59 PM | Comments (0)
Wired On Stem Cells and Paralysis Recovery In Rats
Though we intended to put the links in on this on the article involving rats with spinal cord injury being able to walk, this one seemed worth mentioning directly. Wired has published an article regarding the announcement coming out of the Reeve-Irvine Research Center.
As a catchup, in case those of you missed it ...
Researchers studying embryonic stem cells have recently published data in a peer-reviewed journal, that revealed how they enabled rats with crushed spinal cords to walk again. Needless to say, spinal cord injury patients are hopeful, but cautious.
Certainly this is a step in the right direction for the treatment of patients with damaged spinal cords. One key point though is that the study found that the technique worked on recently injured rats, not those with chronic injuries. The researchers say they hope to begin human clinical trials in the near future, but the tests will likely study only newly injured patients....
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Posted on May 12, 2005 02:26 PM | Comments (0)
Cellerant Therapeutics Raises $16 Million to Advance Stem Cell-Based Therapies for Life-Threatening Diseases
- Series B proceeds to fund cancer, sickle cell and autoimmune programs -
PALO ALTO, Calif. – May 11, 2005 – Cellerant Therapeutics Inc. announced that it has raised $16 million in a series B financing led by Novel Bioventures. Participants in this round included George Rathmann and CX Venture Group. Allen & Company and MPM Capital were among the Series A stockholders who also invested in this financing.
"Cellerant represents one of the strongest and most impressive platforms and management teams for commercializing stem cell products," said Han Chiu, M.D., Managing Director of Novel Bioventures.
...Posted on May 12, 2005 12:20 PM | Comments (0)
Stem Cell Therapeutics Corp. Shareholders Approve Resolutions at its First Annual General Meeting
CALGARY, May 10 /CNW/ - Stem Cell Therapeutics Corp. ("SCT") announced the results of its Annual General Meeting held May 10, 2005.
The following resolutions were approved by the Company's Shareholders:
1. Re-election of the Board of Directors for the ensuing year.
...Posted on May 12, 2005 12:12 PM | Comments (0)
U.S. Biodefense, Inc. New Agreement for Use of Non-Marrow Stem Cell for Cardiac Regeneration Technology with U. of Texas
CITY OF INDUSTRY, Calif., May 10, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- U.S. BioDefense (OTCBB:UBDE) announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement with the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. The company has the priority option to review and license the patent pending technology entitled "Use of Non-marrow Stem Cell for Cardiac Regeneration".
Bone marrow and stem cell transplants can be life-saving for people with blood cancers, solid tumors and some non-cancerous blood disorders.
...Posted on May 12, 2005 12:02 PM | Comments (0)
ViaCell, Inc. Reports First Quarter 2005 Financial Results
BOSTON, May 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- ViaCell, Inc. (Nasdaq: VIAC), a clinical-stage biotechnology company dedicated to enabling the widespread application of human cells as medicine in the areas of cancer, cardiac disease, diabetes and infertility, today reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2005.
"ViaCell has begun 2005 with excellent results as we have made progress across each of our business initiatives," said Marc D. Beer, President and Chief Executive Officer of ViaCell, Inc. "Additionally, we have successfully completed our initial public offering and continued the momentum of our Viacord product by recording another quarter of record revenues. We believe our business has never been healthier from a commercial and financial strength standpoint, and our progress continues within our therapeutic pipeline."...
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Posted on May 11, 2005 03:50 PM | Comments (0)
Reeve-Irvine Research Center's Press Release On Stem Cell Treatment Improveing Mobility After Spinal Cord Injury
A treatment derived from human embryonic stem cells improves mobility in rats with spinal cord injuries, providing the first physical evidence that the therapeutic use of these cells can help restore motor skills lost from acute spinal cord tissue damage.
Hans Keirstead and his colleagues in the Reeve-Irvine Research Center at UC Irvine have found that a human embryonic stem cell-derived treatment they developed was successful in restoring the insulation tissue for neurons in rats treated seven days after the initial injury, which led to a recovery of motor skills. But the same treatment did not work on rats that had been injured for 10 months. The findings point to the potential of using stem cell-derived therapies for treatment of spinal cord damage in humans during the very early stages of the injury. The study appears in the May 11 issue of The Journal of Neuroscience.
...Posted on May 11, 2005 03:29 PM | Comments (0)
More News On Stem Cells and Spinal Cord Injury Repair
Today we are going to see a lot about this, from all angles. We will try to have the articles from analysts and science journals that reference the work being done on spinal cord injury repair.
So I figured for some of our readers I would get some of the articles listed for everyone to look through. Our previous article involved Geron's studies with researchers at the University of California.
These articles will be a bit more widespread...
...Continue reading "More News On Stem Cells and Spinal Cord Injury Repair"
Posted on May 11, 2005 03:20 PM | Comments (0)
Geron Announces Publication of Studies Showing Oligodendrocyte Progenitors Derived From Human Embryonic Stem Cells Induce Functional Recovery After Spinal Cord Injury
Now this is some news we have all been looking for.
Stem Cell Research Leading To Recovery For Spinal Cord Injury
This news is also flooding out through the wire. We will try and get a list of news entries put together that references this in more detail.
MENLO PARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 11, 2005--Geron Corporation (Nasdaq:GERN) announced today the publication of studies showing that oligodendrocyte progenitors, differentiated from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), produce functional improvements in rats with spinal cord injuries. These studies provide proof of concept for the therapeutic potential of differentiated hESCs in the treatment of neurological disorders such as spinal cord injury.
In the May 11 issue of the Journal of Neuroscience, Dr. Hans Keirstead and his colleagues from the Reeve Irvine Research Center at the University of California, Irvine published studies demonstrating that hESC-derived oligodendroglial progenitor cells (OPCs) could be delivered to the injured spinal cord in rats and resulted in functional improvement in locomotion as well as histological evidence of spinal cord repair.
...Posted on May 11, 2005 03:15 PM | Comments (0)
Favrille, Inc. Announces Phase 2 Clinical Trial Results for FavId(R) Following Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation to Be Presented During ASCO
SAN DIEGO, May 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Favrille, Inc. (Nasdaq: FVRL) today announced that the results of a physician-sponsored Phase 2 clinical trial using FavId® following autologous stem cell transplantation in patients with follicular cell and mantle cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) will be presented during a poster session at the 2005 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting taking place in Orlando, Florida May 13-17. The trial is being conducted by Peter Holman, M.D. at the University of California, San Diego.
...Posted on May 11, 2005 12:05 AM | Comments (0)
New Life Scientific Acquires Novo Life Scientific of Ukraine
FREEHOLD, N.J., May 9, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- New Life Scientific, Inc (OTCBB:NWLF) announced today that it has completed the acquisition of Novo Life Scientific of the Ukraine.
Novo is a holder of certain licensing agreements with the Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics of Ukrainian Academy of Sciences (IMBG).
New Life's CEO, Henry Val stated, "We are looking forward to working closely with Novo Life and the Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics on a number of projects. Their expertise and reputation in the field of Molecular Biology and Genetics is superb. It is our honor and privilege to be partnering up with a leader." ...
...Continue reading "New Life Scientific Acquires Novo Life Scientific of Ukraine"
Posted on May 11, 2005 12:01 AM | Comments (0)
Stem Cell Research Faces Continous Political Challenges
Paul Berg, who is both a Nobel Laureate and a biotech pioneer forecast a chilling view of the future of scientific research at a BayBio conference in San Mateo this past April 28th.
Berg, who is also a Stanford University professor, warned attendees of the conference that ideology and political forces are posing an increasing threat to cutting-edge scientific research. Most notably in the sphere of human embryonic stem cell research....
...Continue reading "Stem Cell Research Faces Continous Political Challenges"
Posted on May 10, 2005 11:56 PM | Comments (0)
Reduced Intensity Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplants Uses for CLL
Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center as well as several other from cooperating transplant centers are now reporting that reduced intensity allogeneic stem cell transplants were found to be effective therapy for patients with advanced chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).
This from a report which appeared as an advanced publication on April 4, 2005 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology...
...Continue reading "Reduced Intensity Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplants Uses for CLL"
Posted on May 10, 2005 11:44 PM | Comments (0)
Mount Sinai School of Medicine establishes stem cell institute
Financier Leon D. Black has committed $10 million to Mount Sinai School of Medicine to establish the Black Family Stem Cell Institute.
The Institute, which will be directed by Gordon Keller, PhD, Professor of Gene and Cell Medicine, will integrate research in embryonic stem cells, developmental biology, and adult stem cell biology....
...Continue reading "Mount Sinai School of Medicine establishes stem cell institute"
Posted on May 10, 2005 11:35 PM | Comments (0)
Cord Blood Banks in Australia Hit With Funding Cuts
Funding cuts are hitting Australia's network of cord blood banks. These cuts will reduce the overall availability of non-embryonic stem cells, a researcher says.
It is being reported that the Australian government is reducing funding for the network for the next three years. This will amount to A$7.4 million, as compared to the A$20.1 million for the previous four years.
This means an effective funding cut of roughly A$2 million a year....
...Continue reading "Cord Blood Banks in Australia Hit With Funding Cuts"
Posted on May 10, 2005 11:03 PM | Comments (0)
Moms In Portugal To Donate Umbilical Cord Blood
Plans are being made in Portugal to set up a public umbilical cord blood bank later this year to provide stem cells as an alternative to bone marrow transplants officials said on Monday.
Doctor Mario de Sousa, who is a specialist in reproductive health is one of the organisers of the project. He said that once the bank opens, hospitals will begin asking pregnant women for the permission to remove the blood from their umbilical cords when they give birth...
...Continue reading "Moms In Portugal To Donate Umbilical Cord Blood"
Posted on May 10, 2005 10:59 PM | Comments (0)
US Patent Office Denies Third Party Reexamination Request Of Key PharmaStem Patent Claims
PharmaStem Therapeutics, Inc. announced today that the United States Patent Office has confirmed key patent claims in two of its pioneering patents.
In Office communications, the Patent Office stated that the prior art cited by third parties did not raise a new question of patentability of these claims. These Office communications were prompted by reexamination requests that had been filed with the Patent Office.
...Posted on May 10, 2005 10:54 PM | Comments (0)
Sen. Leibham: State Senate Passes Leibham Bill That Promotes Umbilical Cord Blood Donation
Madison, WI - The State Senate unanimously approved Senator Joe Leibham’s (R-Sheboygan) and Representative Steve Wieckert’s (R-Appleton) umbilical cord blood banking bill that would require physicians and other health care professionals to discuss umbilical cord blood banking with expectant mothers. The proposal, known as Senate Bill (SB) 127, will now be considered by the State Assembly.
...Posted on May 10, 2005 10:43 PM | Comments (0)
Aastrom Biosciences, Inc. Reports Third Quarter Fiscal Year 2005 Financial Results
Ann Arbor, Michigan, May 6 , 2005 -- Aastrom Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: ASTM) today reported financial results for the third fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2005.
The Company also reported several achievements of the last quarter, both clinically and operationally.
For the quarter ended March 31, 2005, these achievements included:
• Clinical progress:
...Posted on May 10, 2005 10:01 PM | Comments (0)
Stem Cell Therapeutics Corp. to host Annual General Meeting on May 10, 2005
CALGARY, May 5 /CNW/ - Stem Cell Therapeutics Corp. ("SCT") announced today that it will be holding its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Tuesday May 10, 2005 at 2:30pm MT.
The AGM will be held at the Northcote Room in the Bow Valley Square Conference Center, 3rd floor Bow Valley Square, 205-5th Ave SW, Calgary, AB.
...Posted on May 10, 2005 09:53 PM | Comments (0)
Venture Capital Firms Get Ready For Stem Cell Research In San Francisco
California's $3 Billion dedicated to stem cell research has the investors lining up, and naturally venture capitalists lead the race
California's stem-cell agency, is getting the investors in line too, a lot of the coming funding is headed to the Bay Area. As we know, San Francisco was chosen as headquarters for California's $3 billion stem-cell agency and it will be known as the Institute for Regenerative Medicine.
As catchup, this mother load of funding was created when voters passed Proposition 71 back in November, and will be doled out to support stem-cell research over the next 10 years. Most of this funding is slated for studies on human embryonic stem cells, which show potential for developing treatments for a variety of diseases ranging from diabetes to Parkinson's....
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Posted on May 10, 2005 02:57 PM | Comments (0)
Geron Announces Publication of Studies Demonstrating Hematopoietic Stem Cells Differentiated From Human Embryonic Stem Cells Engraft and Establish Hematopoiesis in Animals
MENLO PARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 10, 2005--Geron Corporation (Nasdaq:GERN) announced today the publication of studies demonstrating that hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) can establish hematopoiesis in mouse models, leading to production of all major human blood cell types. These results document the potential of differentiated hESCs to survive and establish functional tissue in vivo and have positive implications for strategies to promote therapeutic graft acceptance without use of long-term immunosuppression.
Dr. Mickie Bhatia and his colleagues from the Krembil Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine at the Robarts Research Institute in London, Ontario, Canada have now published studies in the May issue of the Journal of Experimental Medicine showing that hESCs can be differentiated into HSCs, the cells which produce all of the cellular components of blood. When transplanted into immune deficient mice, the hESC-derived HSCs survive and establish multi-lineage hematopoiesis-producing human lymphocytes, red blood cells, and myeloid cells. These studies were sponsored in part by Geron Corporation.
...Posted on May 10, 2005 02:48 PM | Comments (0)
Thermogenesis Announces Third Quarter Results
RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif., May 09, 2005 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- THERMOGENESIS CORP. today announced results for its third quarter of fiscal 2005.
Quarterly Results:
Net revenues for the quarter ended March 31, 2005 decreased to $1,727,000, compared to $3,367,000 for the third quarter of fiscal 2004. The gross margin for the third quarter was $454,000 or 26% of net revenues compared to $1,167,000 or 35% of net revenues for the quarter ended March 31, 2004. The net loss for the quarter ended March 31, 2005, was $2,117,000 or $0.05 per basic and diluted common share compared to $1,218,000 or $0.03 per basic and diluted common share for the third quarter of fiscal 2004.
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Posted on May 9, 2005 10:56 PM | Comments (0)
Laboratory Model of Immune System Overcomes Ethical Constraints on Studies of Hematopoietic Stem Cells In Humans
Scientists at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital have joined with colleagues at several other institutions to develop a laboratory model of the human immune system. This model will allow scientists to study ways for improving the results of hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation without putting patients at risk.
Researchers say the model will also be a valuable tool for studying how stem cells give rise to various parts of the immune system, including T lymphocytes; how immune cells kill cancer cells and fight infections; and how immune cells respond to radiation and chemotherapy, two major treatments for many cancers. A report on this work appears in the May 15 issue of Journal of Immunology. The study was done in cooperation with The Jackson Laboratory (Bar Harbor, ME), the University of Tennessee (Memphis), EMD Lexigen Research Center (Billerica, MA) and the University of Massachusetts (Worcester, MA)....
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