Page 585«..10 20..584585586 587..590 600..»

Meager, Meager Coverage of Yesterday’s IOM-Stem Cell Meeting

By Dr. Matthew Watson

The $3 billion California stem cell
agency seemed all but invisible this morning in terms of mainstream
media coverage.

Only one major outlet reported on
the watershed events yesterday at the CIRM governing board meeting at
the Claremont Hotel in Oakland – at least from what our Internet
searches show.

The piece was written by Bradley Fikes
in the San Diego U-T, the dominant daily newspaper in that area,
which is a major biotech center. The major media in the San Francisco
Bay area, home to the stem cell agency and also a biotech center, were absent from the coverage.

Fikes wrote a straight forward account
of the meeting, saying that the governing board voted “ to
accept in concept proposed
changes to reduce conflicts of interest on the agency's
governing committee.”

Fikes wrote the story based on the audiocast of the meeting. He probably would not have written his daily piece without the availability of the audiocast.

Some of those connected with the stem
cell agency often wonder about the lack of mainstream coverage of its doings,
particularly the lack of favorable coverage.

Much of it has to do with the shriveled
state of the media business, which is understaffed and overworked
compared to 15 years ago. Specialized science reporters are all but
an extinct species. Also, the mainstream media has traditionally
ignored the affairs of most state agencies.

Speaking as a former editor at a major
Northern California newspaper, I would not have sent a reporter to
cover this week's two-day CIRM board meetings. It would have consumed
too much valuable time with little likelihood of a major story,
especially when weighed against other story possibilities. There was
no guarantee that the board would have even acted. The events and
their significance could be better handled in a roundup story later
with more perspective, perhaps keying on the board's meeting in
March, where details of yesterday's action will be fleshed out. The
fact is that many, very important events occur within state
government every day that never receive media attention. Some don't
even see the light of day until a catastrophe occurs.

All of this may be deplorable in the
eyes in stem cell agency backers and others, but it is the reality of
today's news business.

Source:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uqpFc/~3/8q4FDQb-BUk/meager-meager-coverage-of-yesterdays.html

Stem Cell Therapy commento

Comments Off | data

January 27th, 2013

Reaction to IOM: California Stem Cell Directors Approve Plan on Conflicts of Interest and More

By Dr. Matthew Watson

Directors of the $3 billion California
stem cell agency today approved a far-reaching plan aimed at resolving long-standing
conflict of interest issues involving the agency's governing board
and also at helping to maintain credibility with the public.

Jonathan Thomas
CIRM photo

The framework of the proposal by CIRM
Chairman J.T. Thomas moved forward on a 23-0 vote with one
abstention. He laid out the plan in response to sweeping recommendations from a blue-ribbon study by the Institute of Medicine. Details will be worked out and come back to the board in March.

Acknowledging that many board members
were not pleased with the IOM criticism of the agency, Thomas said,

“This is one of those times that we must move forward and compromise.”

He
said issues such conflicts of interest have “stolen focus” from
the good scientific work that the agency has funded.

Thomas was reacting to the $700,000 IOM
study commissioned by CIRM governing board. The IOM recommendations
called for removing conflict
of interest problems, cleaning up a troubling dual-executive arrangement
and fundamentally changing the nature of the governing board. The IOM proposals would strip the board of its ability to approve individual grants,
greatly strengthen the role of the agency's president, significantly
alter the role of patient advocates on the governing board and engage
the biotech industry more vigorously.

Thomas' plan, which would be put in
place for up to a one-year trial period, would not do all that the
IOM wanted, but would move strongly in that direction.

State Controller John Chiang, chairman
of the only state entity with financial oversight over CIRM, endorsed
most of the proposal, said deputy controller Ruth Holton-Hodson. She
told CIRM directors that Thomas' plan was thoughtful and positive,
although Chiang did not support continued involvement of the chairman
in day-to-day operations.

The Thomas plan, which would not require legislative approval, would:

Have 13 members of the 29-member board
refrain from voting on specific grant applications. The 13 would be from institutions that could benefit from CIRM grants. They would be
allowed to participate in discussions. Thomas said this would deal
with financial conflict of interest questions.
Increase industry participation of
industry in grant application review and step up business involvement
internally at CIRM, including development of RFAs.
Redirect all scientific appeals to
staff to evaluate for possible re-review before they go to the full
board.
Move “programmatic” review of
grants to public sessions of the full board instead of being held
behind closed doors during grant review sessions. Patient advocate
directors now sitting on the grant review group would no longer be
allowed to vote during the closed-door review sessions, but they
could participate in the discussion.

It appears, however, that the Thomas
plan would do little to deal with the dual-executive problems identified
by the IOM.

Consumer Watchdog's John M. Simpson, a
long observer of the stem cell agency, welcomed the response by
CIRM. Writing on his blog, Simpson said,

"It looks like
the message is finally getting through to California's stem cell
agency board....
Part of what is driving the new
approach is the realization that CIRM will need to find a new source
of funding -- possibly going back to the voters -- if it is to
continue. As Thomas told the board today, 'If we don't
have credibility, we won't have a chance of sustaining the agency.'"

During the lengthy debate this
afternoon, one director after another said they did not agree with
all that the IOM had to say, but said maintaining credibility and
trust was the key to the sustainability of the organization.

CIRM will run out of money for new
grants in less than four years. Thomas said he is working on a plan
to continue the agency's effort into the future. Details of that will
be disclosed later, he said.

(Editor's note: An earlier version of this item, based on incorrect information from CIRM, said the vote was 21-0. The correct figure is 23-0.)

Source:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uqpFc/~3/Phybdqb0SV0/iom-california-stem-cell-directors.html

Stem Cell Therapy commento

Comments Off | data

January 27th, 2013

Potential of differentiated iPS cells in cell therapy without immune rejection

By Dr. Matthew Watson

Jan. 25, 2013 A new study from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) shows that tissues derived from induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells in an experimental model were not rejected when transplanted back into genetically identical recipients. The study, published online in Cell Stem Cell, demonstrates the potential of utilizing iPS cells to develop cell types that could offer treatment for a wide range of conditions, including diabetes, liver and lung diseases, without the barrier of immune rejection.

Ashleigh Boyd, DPhil, and Neil Rodrigues, DPhil, the study's senior authors, are assistant professors of dermatology at BUSM and researchers at the Center for Regenerative Medicine (CReM) at Boston University and Boston Medical Center (BMC). They also are lead investigators at the National Institutes of Health's Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) at Roger Williams Medical Center, a clinical and research affiliate of BUSM.

iPS cells can be developed from adult cell types, such as skin or blood, by returning them to a stem cell state using genetic manipulation. iPS cells are capable of maturing (differentiating) into all the specific cell types in the body, making them a powerful tool for biological research and a source of tissues for transplantation based therapies. Given that iPS cells can be made in a patient-specific manner, there should be great potential for them to be transplanted back into the same patient without rejection. Yet a study published in Nature in 2011 demonstrated that iPS cells transplanted in the stem cell state were rejected in genetically identical recipients.

"The Nature study provocatively suggested that tissues derived from patient-specific iPS cells may be immunogenic after transplantation. However, it never directly assessed the immunogenicity of the therapeutically relevant cell types that could be utilized in regenerative medicine and transplantation," said Rodrigues.

The BUSM researchers evaluated this matter by taking adult cells from an experimental model and deriving iPS cells from them. They then differentiated the iPS cells into three cell types: neuronal (nerve); hepatocytes (liver); and endothelial (blood vessel lining) cells. These three cell types represent each of the three germ layers present during embryonic development -- mesoderm, ectoderm and endoderm. Cells from these layers differentiate and ultimately develop into the body's tissue and organ systems. Using experiments to mirror the potential clinical use of patient-specific iPS cells in cell therapy, the team transplanted each of the differentiated cells into a genetically identical experimental model and found no signs of an elevated immune response or indications of rejection.

The study results suggest that using patient-specific iPS cells should overcome issues of immune rejection in transplantation, which will be a significant problem for potential embryonic stem cell-derived therapies. Immune rejection in transplantation is treated clinically by immunosuppressive drugs but they can have serious side-effects, including the risk of developing cancer.

"If the use of immunosuppressive drugs can be avoided, as may be the case for patient-specific iPS cell based therapies, it would be preferable. Our results are very promising and future work should be directed at assessing whether tissues derived from human iPS cells will similarly lack immunogenicity," said Boyd.

Share this story on Facebook, Twitter, and Google:

Fountain of youth is referred to a spring. If a person drinks the water of it, he or she can easily restore the youth again in themselves. In his writing Herodotus has also mentioned about this concept. This has become a kind of legend and many a famous author like Homer or Shakespeare have also discussed about in the literature. Now the biggest question is that whether there is really any kind of such fountain on this earth or not.

How the search goes on:

The search of such a fountain goes generation after generation because men have always wanted more youth. With the progress of science men have made many an incredible thing successful. The use of stem cells and many other related inventions have made huge change in human life. Men and women are getting longer and fitter life. More researches on cells are going on and scientists are working very hard to invent various things by the help of which we can keep our youth for longer time.

What the concept is:

Though the whole thing comes from a myth but the main aspect of this thought is to get back the life again. Man has always searched for immortality. According to scientists, now they have found out a way to continue your youth for longer time. Actually our body can have the charm of youth because of cell division. Normally a cell can divide for fifty times and then gradually it stops and the characteristics of old age begin to come in the body. Now the scientists have succeeded to produce such a cell which can divide it over 90 times and still it will not get slow down. Scientists have used an enzyme with the chromosomes the name of which is Telomerase. Telomere shortening is the actual reason of gradually getting old. Now this enzyme will stop the normal shortening process of telomere and thus it can help you to keep your youth in yourself for longer time.

Its drawback:

This enzyme is undoubtedly one of the most incredible inventions at the moment but it may have some drawbacks. According to some of the scientists this shortening process of telomere is a natural process. Now this natural process can eventually ward off cancer. Now by adding this enzyme this natural process of body defense will be destroyed. Some of the scientists are worried of the consequences of that. More experiments are going on and after the successful completion of them the scientists will be able to state the result of this new invention.

Searching for longer life:

Most of the people on this earth like to have a longer life especially a longer youth in which he will have ample energy to enjoy all the entertaining aspects of life. The concept of fountain of youth has been traditionally carried forward generation after generation because of this continuous wish of longer life of human being.

The myth of finding a fountain where the water can be found which can bring back youth may not be found physically. However, progress of science can assure a longer youth for human. In recent future man is going to live a longer enjoyable life.

About The Author: Claudia is a writer/ blogger. She loves writing, travelling and reading books. She contributes to Caribbean Cruise Line Scam

Source:
http://www.biotechblog.org/entry/real-fountain-youth/

Uncategorized commento

Comments Off | data

January 20th, 2013

By Dr. Matthew Watson

Remember StemCells, Inc., and the $40
million it was awarded by the California stem cell agency.

The Newark, Ca., firm, founded by
eminent Stanford researcher Irv Weissman, received an award of $20
million last July and then again in September. Nearly five months
later, however, the stem cell agency has yet to cut a check for the
company, a spokesman for the agency told the California Stem Cell
Report in response to a query.

The hang-up is the $40 million in
matching funds that the company promised the agency. The stem cell
agency has yet to be satisfied that StemCells, Inc., can actually
produce the match, although the spokesman did not offer details.

The StemCells, Inc., awards were
unusual in a number of ways. It was the first time that former CIRM
Chairman Robert Klein lobbied the CIRM governing board on behalf of a
company(see here and here). It was the first time that the governing
board approved an application that had been rejected twice by grant
reviewers. It was the first time that the board said explicitly in a
public session that it wanted proof of the matching funds as a
condition of the award.

It was the first time that a CIRM award
to a company received a careful and critical scrutiny from a major
California newspaper. Michael Hiltzik, a Pulitzer Prize-winning
business columnist and author, wrote in October in the Los Angeles
Times that the award was “redolent of cronyism.” He referred
particularly to longstanding ties between Klein and Weissman.

The CIRM board vote on the StemCells,
Inc., grant in September was 7-5, which amounted to 12 out of 29
members of the board.

In December, a blue-ribbon panel of the
Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommended that the agency tighten its
conflict of interest standards to avoid such perceptions as have been
generated by the StemCells, Inc., awards. The IOM said,

“(C)ompeting personal and
professional interests compromise the perceived independence of
the (governing board), introduce potential bias into the board’s decision
making, and threaten to undermine confidence in the board.”

Concerns about conflicts of interest have long been of concern to observers of the stem cell agency for years. Indeed, the prestigious journal Nature in 2008 warned of "cronyism" at the $3 billion research enterprise.

Source:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uqpFc/~3/5BdZ8FguJp8/stemcells-inc-still-looking-for-40.html

Stem Cell Therapy commento

Comments Off | data

January 20th, 2013

Stem Cell Agency Chair Pressing for Consensus on IOM Recommendations

By Dr. Matthew Watson

The chairman of the $3 billion
California stem cell agency, Jonathan Thomas, yesterday outlined how
he intends to proceed next week when the agency's governing board
considers the far-reaching recommendations of a blue-ribbon Institute
of Medicine panel.

Writing on the agency's blog, Thomas
said,

“While some of the IOM’s
recommendations are administrative in nature and can be implemented,
others are much more complex and would require changes in (governing)
board policy or legislative changes.”

Jonathan Thomas, chairman of CIRM governing board at far right. Art
Torres (center), co-vice chair and former state Democratic party chairman,
who would play key role in dealing with lawmakers. Robert Klein is at the
left in this 2011 meeting, Klein's last as chairman of the agency and the one
in which Thomas was elected chairman.

He continued,

“My goal is to strive to reach
consensus on a course of action on the 23rd. However, if the board
isn’t able to choose a course of action at this time we will
continue the conversation and bring it up at future board meetings
until we reach agreement.”

It is worth noting that Thomas did not
mention the possibility of having to ask the people of California to
amend the state constitution, which would require a statewide election. Opponents to change at the agency have
used that possibility to discourage action. (See here and here.) An
election would be costly, politically difficult and could open the
door to additional unwelcome changes at the eight-year-old research
enterprise.

Thomas' desire for a consensus among
the 29 board members – instead of a simple majority – could be a
stumbling block as the board becomes snarled internally, perhaps for
months or more. The board normally meets only about once a month and
has a full slate of regular business on those occasions. The agency
will run out of money for new grants in less than four years, and
action on the IOM recommendations seems a necessary prelude to
winning continued financial support.

While four years would appear to an ample
period of time, making the sort of changes the IOM recommends would
require legislative action, which probably would take a minimum of a
year. Timing is important as well. The current leaders in the state
Senate and Assembly will be termed out in 2014. Starting all over
with novice leadership, changes in key committee chairmanships and so
forth would make the task even more difficult. Then there is the need
to address strategies for continued financial support. Should the
agency seek a new statewide bond measure (the current funding
mechanism)? If so campaign committees need to be formed, electoral
strategies planned and tested and tens of millions of dollars raised
for campaign expenses. If private funds instead are to be raised to
the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars(the agency spends about
$300 million a year), such an effort would also require considerable time.
To keep the funding pipeline full, all of this should be completed
well before the money runs out in 2017.

Dilly-dallying this year in drawn-out, fruitless debate over
the IOM proposals would be an unfortunate beginning should CIRM
directors actually want to continue the existence of the
organization.

In his blog item, Thomas sounded this
final note.

“It’s likely the debate will be
passionate – everyone involved in this work cares deeply about it –
and there will undoubtedly be disagreements, but ultimately we all
share the same goal, a desire to make sure that whatever we decide
helps make the stem cell agency even stronger and more effective, and
is in the best interests of the people of California.”

Source:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uqpFc/~3/xriRP02aekU/stem-cell-agency-chair-pressing-for.html

Stem Cell Therapy commento

Comments Off | data

January 20th, 2013

UC Davis Stem Cell Researcher: ‘Ivory Tower’ IOM Recommendations Harmful to California Stem Cell Agency

By Dr. Matthew Watson

The $3 billion California stem cell
agency has funded in the neighborhood of 500 to 600 scientists and
institutions, reviving and starting careers and stimulating
construction of $1 billion in new research labs around the state.

None of those recipients, as far as we
know, has come forward to comment publicly on the sweeping recommendations by Institute of Medicine for changes at the agency.
Until today, that is.

UC Davis researcher Paul Knoepfler, who
may be the only stem cell scientist in the United States with a stem
cell blog, weighed in with his thoughts today, which do not align
with those of the blue-ribbon IOM panel.

“Harmful” is one word that Knoepfler, who is a stem cell agency grant recipient, used to describe the recommendations. He predicted “extremely negative repercussions” that “would
actually make CIRM less effective and less responsive to patients and
California citizens.”

He wrote that the IOM report, which
will come before stem cell agency governing board next week “...seems more like an ivory tower
intellectual exercise than an operative, realistic guide to a dynamic
agency that must operate in the real world.”

He defended the CIRM governing board,
which came under fire from the IOM for conflicts of interest.
Institutions linked to board members have received about 90 percent
of the $1.7 billion that the board has awarded, according to compilations by the California Stem Cell Report. The IOM said,

“Far too many board members
represent organizations that receive CIRM funding or benefit from
that funding. These competing personal and professional
interests compromise the perceived independence of the ICOC,
introduce potential bias into the board’s decision making, and
threaten to undermine confidence in the board."

Knoepfler said,

“(The) IOM itself admits there is no
evidence that any conflicts of interest have ever guided (the agency's governing board) decisions. Not one example.”

Knoepfler also wrote,

“Interestingly, highlighting the
extremely sensitive nature of this issue, while I’ve been talking
with many bigwigs about this, at this point no one is wiling to go on
the record with an opinion about it except one courageous soul, Don
Reed (see
his piece here).”

There is a reason for that. The IOM is the most prestigious organization of its sort. Its studies are
described as the gold standard. And it has a rareified membership
that many scientists seek to join. So few are ready to give the
organization a smack on the nose. Likewise, California researchers
are loath to publicly criticize the stem cell agency because it
holds the strings to the purse that finances their careers.

California scientists, however, should
be asking themselves a bottom-line question. Do they want to see the
stem cell agency continue for another 10 to 20 years? Under the best
of circumstances, that may be unlikely given the other pressing needs
that the state faces. But if CIRM directors do not forthrightly
address the recommendations of the IOM panel, the fate of the stem
cell agency is exceedingly uncertain.

Source:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uqpFc/~3/pW_1A2nkyrM/uc-davis-stem-cell-researcher-ivory.html

Stem Cell Therapy commento

Comments Off | data

January 20th, 2013

Patient Advocate Says IOM Recommendations Would ‘Destroy’ California Stem Cell Agency

By Dr. Matthew Watson

California's “beloved,” $3 billion
stem cell research program should not be altered despite
recommendations from the most prestigious scientific organization of
its kind. So says longtime patient advocate Don Reed of Fremont, Ca.

Reed says the recommendations by the
Institute of Medicine (IOM) are a “threat” that would “destroy” an
agency that “is like nothing else on earth.” Reed is urging other
patient advocates to turn out at next week's critical meeting of the stem cell agency's board and lobby against alterations in how it does
business.

Reed and CIRM's Amy Adams
World Stem Cell Summit photo

Reed is a fixture in stem cell circles
nationally and in California and has been a regular at the stem cell
agency's public meetings since 2004. He is also vice president of
Americans for Cures, a private stem cell lobbying group created by
Robert Klein when he was chairman of the stem cell agency, formally known as the California Institute for Regenerative
Medicine(CIRM).

Reed has written twice about the IOM
report on his blog with duplicate publication on the Huffington Post.
Yesterday, he said IOM “defies” the voters' will when they
created the stem cell agency in 2004. On Dec. 19, he said the
$700,000, 17-month study was “staggeringly misguided.” He wrote,

“If its recommendations were enacted,
they would silence stem cell patient advocate involvement, eliminate
public debate on funding proposals, and delegate the real decisions
to secret proceedings by an out-of-state-controlled board.”

Reed described the stem cell agency as
“fantastic” and wrote,

“So why mess with it, in such a
brutal and insulting manner?”

This writer has known Reed since the
early days of the stem cell agency and respects him. But in this
case he has many of his facts wrong. To mention just a few key
points: Patient advocates would not be silenced; their role would be
changed. Public comment would not be eliminated. Scientists could
still appeal negative decisions by reviewers to the full board if
they so choose, although the “extraordinary petition” process
would be eliminated. The voters' will would not be defied; they provided for a mechanism for making changes in the stem cell program.

While Bob Klein has not been heard from
publicly on the IOM report, some of Reed's comments reflect Klein's
past positions against altering the agency. Klein, an attorney and
real estate investment banker, might well be considered the father of
the agency. He directed the writing of the 10,000-word measure, Prop. 71, that created the program and wrote much of ballot initiative himself. The initiative contained a detailed description of the
qualifications for the chairman, which fit only one person in
California. It was no surprise when he won the post.

In years past, Klein has been extraordinarily protective of the ballot measure, at one point boxing
in the board on earlier proposals for changes that he disliked and that the IOM report now echoes.

In 2010, he was the prime
advocate for commissioning the IOM report which he expected
to serve as the basis for continued funding of the agency. It will
run out of cash for new grants in 2017.

To keep the money rolling in, Klein
said the IOM report would constitute a “gold standard” that would
generate increased enthusiasm for the research.

According to the transcript of the Aug.18, 2010, governing board meeting, Klein declared,

“(We will) never convince the people
that are adamant against us. But for the public and for the
constituent groups that are reasoned and prepared to look at
evidence, this is a very important validation that they can look to
to separate out what is a false claim from real performance.”

Also writing yesterday about the IOM
study was Bradley Fikes of the San Diego U-T, the dominant daily
newspaper in that area.

He summarized Reed's latest item as well as this on the California Stem Cell Report yesterday. Fikes
plans to file his own story within the next few days.

Feel free to file your own comments by
clicking on the word “comment” below or with the stem cell agency
at info@cirm.ca.gov. Anonymous
comments are permitted on this blog.

Source:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uqpFc/~3/wX7BEi46lc8/patient-advocate-says-iom.html

Stem Cell Therapy commento

Comments Off | data

January 20th, 2013

Live Audiocast Available for Next Week’s CIRM-IOM Meetings

By Dr. Matthew Watson

The California stem cell agency will
provide a live audiocast of next week's critical discussions of
action on the sweeping recommendations proposed for the agency by the
Institute of Medicine.

Instructions for hooking into the
telephonic arrangement can be found on the agendas for Wednesday and
Thursday. Also expected to be posted soon on the Wednesday agenda are
recommendations by CIRM Chairman J.T. Thomas.

The audiocast will only provide the
opportunity to listen and no opportunity to provide testimony. If you
are interesting in making suggestions or comments ahead of the
meeting, email them to info@cirm.ca.gov. The public can also testify at the board meeting.

The meeting is scheduled for the
Claremont Hotel in the Berkeley hills across the bay from CIRM's San
Francisco headquarters.

Source:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uqpFc/~3/XiZzHp3Zp_s/live-audiocast-available-for-next-weeks.html

Stem Cell Therapy commento

Comments Off | data

January 20th, 2013

California Stem Cell Face-Off: CIRM Directors Wrestle with Tough IOM Recommendations

By Dr. Matthew Watson

Two days next week at the posh
Claremont Hotel in the Berkeley hills could settle the fate of
California's $3 billion stem cell agency.

At 9 a.m. next Wednesday, the governing
board of the state research effort will begin a critical, two-day
public session. On the table will be the $700,000, blue-ribbon
report from the prestigious Institute of Medicine (IOM). The study
recommends sweeping changes in the structure and operations of the
California Institute of Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), as the stem
cell agency is formally known.

The IOM report alone poses major
challenges for the agency. But the recommendations are freighted with
even more significance. Below the surface lies the hard fact of
CIRM's dwindling resources and possible demise. In less than four
years – without either renewed public support or private
contributions – the research effort will begin a shriveling,
downward spiral.

Claremont Hotel

The IOM report places a special burden
on the agency governing board. The board paid the IOM to evaluate its
performance. In 2010, then CIRM Chairman Robert Klein trumpeted the
value of an IOM study, saying it would serve as a springboard for a
new, multibillion-dollar state bond measure for the agency(see here and here). Given the
state's difficult financial condition – not to mention the position
of potential private sector investors – winning approval of that
kind of investment will be more than difficult.

California's major newspapers already have editorially backed the IOM proposals. Indeed, if the
directors choose to ignore the major IOM recommendations, they will
hand opponents a devastating weapon, one that could be used to convince voters to reject
any proposal for continued funding. The board
would also give private investors more major reasons to say no to
CIRM pitches for cash.

Under Klein's leadership, the 29-member
board has rejected similar proposals for changes in the past. When
the IOM presented the study to the board just last month, the
reception was not much different. Several board members bristled. One
influential board member, Sherry Lansing, chair of the University of
California board of regents, said the directors' “hands are tied”
because some of the recommendations might require a vote of the people. Her comments echoed similar statements from Klein in 2009,
when he said board members would violate their oath of office if they
supported recommendations for changes that he opposed.

The IOM discussion in December,
however, was relatively brief and less than definitive. Klein has
been off the board since June 2011, replaced by Los Angeles bond
financier Jonathan Thomas, who is regarded as a welcome change by a
number of board members.

Nonetheless, the recommendations of the IOM could mean that some members of the board would lose their seats; others would lose important roles in the grant-award process or
within the agency itself. Conflict of interest rules would be
tightened. In some ways, the board would lose power, which would be
shifted to the president. The board would no longer vote on
individual applications – only a slate recommended by reviewers.
Applicants for CIRM awards would be directly affected, being barred
from making the sort of direct and public appeals that clogged the
CIRM board meetings last year. And that would be just the beginning.

Thomas, the CIRM chairman, is expected
to make his recommendations for action on the report, although they
have not yet been posted on the CIRM web site. Under what might be considered “normal” leadership, Thomas would be testing sentiment
among board members via personal conversations and phone calls.
However, in California that would be illegal – a violation of open
meeting laws that bar what are called “serial meetings” at nearly
all public agencies.

Thomas' task is not easy. Rounding up a
majority vote for anything significant among 29 strong-minded
individuals is not simple. But it is even more difficult when facing
a board that has a tradition of consensus management and
oversight.

The site of next week's meetings is
interesting. The nearly 100-year-old, iconic Claremont hotel has a
troubled financial history. It was up for sale for $80 million last
spring but there were no takers. In the early 20th century, the
property on which it is located was lost and won in a checkers game
in Oakland, or so the story goes.

The stakes are also high for the
California stem cell agency. Moves next week by directors could
easily determine whether CIRM becomes nothing more than an
interesting scientific footnote or establishes a path that will lead
it to long-lasting leadership in regenerative medicine.

Source:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uqpFc/~3/SS09uwQmVDQ/california-stem-cell-face-off-cirm.html

Stem Cell Therapy commento

Comments Off | data

January 20th, 2013

NeoStem's Subsidiary, Progenitor Cell Therapy, Enters Into a Cell Therapy Manufacturing Services Agreement With …

By Dr. Matthew Watson

ALLENDALE, N.J. and OXFORD, United Kingdom, Jan. 16, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NeoStem, Inc. (NYSE MKT:NBS) and its subsidiary, Progenitor Cell Therapy LLC ("PCT"), together with Adaptimmune Limited and Adaptimmune LLC (collectively, "Adaptimmune"), announced today a Services Agreement under which PCT will provide services to support Adaptimmune's NYESO-1c259-T cell therapy product being developed for multiple oncology indications (for more information with respect to Adaptimmune's clinical trials, see clinicaltrials.gov, identifiers NCT01350401, NCT01343043 and NCT01352286).

PCT's services will include the transfer and qualification of Adaptimmune's manufacturing process for its NYESO-1c259-T cell therapy product candidate at PCT's facility in Allendale, New Jersey and subsequent manufacturing of the product for Adaptimmune's clinical trials.

Adaptimmune develops products containing unique engineered T cell receptors for the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. The company has a research base in Oxford, UK and a clinical base in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

In December, at the American Society of Hematology conference, Adaptimmune announced encouraging preliminary results from its expanded multiple myeloma trial. Related trials in melanoma and sarcoma are also recruiting patients.

PCT is an internationally recognized contract development and manufacturing organization with facilities in Allendale, New Jersey and Mountain View, California. The company has expertise in GMP manufacture for cell therapies, including dendritic cells, stem cells and T cells. Notably, PCT provided manufacturing for the pivotal studies for Dendreon's Provenge(R), the first cell therapy approved for cancer treatment.

"With our sights set on future pivotal trials for our T cell therapy products, we have invested significant effort towards establishing capabilities within Adaptimmune that support expansion of our clinical platform in terms of both scale and compliance with FDA requirements beyond phase I/II. Our relationship with PCT is an important component," said James Noble, Chief Executive Officer of Adaptimmune. "PCT's impressive level of experience in the burgeoning field of cell therapy, combined with their flexible capacity and professionalism, are among the reasons we selected them for this critical role for our T cell product."

"We are excited to enter into this agreement with Adaptimmune, an innovator for T cell therapy to treat cancers," said Robert A. Preti, PhD, President and Chief Scientific Officer of PCT. "Given our extensive experience with technology transfer, process qualification and GMP manufacturing, we feel PCT will be an asset to Adaptimmune as it develops its product for the U.S. commercial market."

Dr. Robin L. Smith, NeoStem's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated that, "PCT's expertise is recognized globally as demonstrated by the services agreement executed with Adaptimmune. As PCT continues to expand its GMP manufacturing capabilities and focus to support the development of an increasingly wide range of cell therapies under development, it remains focused on providing outstanding client services."

About Adaptimmune

Adaptimmune focuses on the use of T cell therapy to treat cancer and infectious disease. It aims to use the body's own machinery -- the T cell -- to target and destroy cancerous or infected cells.

More here:
NeoStem's Subsidiary, Progenitor Cell Therapy, Enters Into a Cell Therapy Manufacturing Services Agreement With ...

Uncategorized commento

Comments Off | data

January 16th, 2013

Stem Cell Therapy Guidelines Readied

By NEVAGiles23

MANILA, Philippines --- The Department of Health (DOH) is preparing guidelines for the use of stem cell therapy in the treatment of diseases in the Philippines.

This was announced by DOH Secretary Enrique T. Ona yesterday in a convention on stem cell therapy at the Manila Hotel.

Ona said a bio-ethics advisory board will develop the guidelines which will include ethical standards in the application of stem cell therapy to treat diseases such as malignancies, blood disorders and metabolic disorders, among others.

"The institutional board will review and approve Stem Cell therapies based on guidelines by the advisory board," Ona said.

He added that the board will also include ethical and legal issues surrounding stem cell therapy.

Last week, the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) and the Philippine Society for Stem Cell Medicine (PSSCM) issued a joint statement that warned against the dangers of receiving stem cell transplants that came from another source other than the patient's body.

"If the stem cell that you received is not from your own body, it could lead to fatal complications," Philippine Society for Stem Cell Medicine (PSSCM) and the PMA said.

The doctors warned that complications arising from stem cell transplants include graft-versus-host disease, stem cell (graft) failure, organ injury, infections, cataracts, infertility, new cancers, and even death.

Ona said a public hearing will be held on January 18 regarding the preliminary draft of the guidelines.

He said the guidelines will ensure the minimum quality of service and application in the use of stem cells in health settings.

See the original post:
Stem Cell Therapy Guidelines Readied

To Read More: Stem Cell Therapy Guidelines Readied

Uncategorized commento

Comments Off | data

January 16th, 2013

SanBio Announces Enrollment Of The Second Cohort Of Patients In Its Clinical Trial Of Stem Cell Therapy For Chronic …

By Dr. Matthew Watson

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Jan. 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --SanBio Inc. today announced the successful enrollment of the second dose cohort of patients in its Phase 1/2a clinical trial testing the safety and efficacy of a novel allogeneic stem cell therapy product, SB623, in patients suffering from chronic deficits resulting from previous stroke injuries. The first 12 patients, of a planned total of 18, have been successfully administered SB623. The trial is being conducted at Stanford University, the University of Pittsburgh and Northwestern University. No safety concerns have been attributed to the cell therapy product. For details regarding this clinical trial, please refer to http://www.strokeclinicaltrial.org.

SB623 is derived from adult bone marrow and has shown safety and efficacy in rodent models of chronic stroke. "The successful completion of the first two dose cohorts of this pioneering clinical trial is a clear indication of the dedication and professionalism of the entire team," said Keita Mori, SanBio CEO.

SB623 is being delivered to the damaged region of the brains of patients who have suffered an ischemic stroke. Product safety is the primary focus of the study but various measurements of efficacy are also being tested.

"We are pleased with the safety findings of the study thus far," said Dr. Ernest Yankee, SanBio's Executive Vice President of Development. "We anticipate completing the enrollment of the third and final dose cohort early in the year and reporting the results shortly thereafter."

About SB623: SB623 is a proprietary cell therapy product consisting of cells derived from genetically engineered bone marrow stromal cells obtained from healthy adult donors. SB623 is administered adjacent to the area damaged by stroke and functions by producing proteins that aid the regenerative process.

About SanBio: SanBio is a privately held San Francisco Bay Area biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of new regenerative cell therapy products.

For more information: http://www.san-bio.com

Read the rest here:
SanBio Announces Enrollment Of The Second Cohort Of Patients In Its Clinical Trial Of Stem Cell Therapy For Chronic ...

Uncategorized commento

Comments Off | data

January 14th, 2013

Next Page · Previous Page

Page 585«..10 20..584585586 587..590 600..»

Meager, Meager Coverage of Yesterday’s IOM-Stem Cell Meeting

By Dr. Matthew Watson

Reaction to IOM: California Stem Cell Directors Approve Plan on Conflicts of Interest and More

By Dr. Matthew Watson

Potential of differentiated iPS cells in cell therapy without immune rejection

By Dr. Matthew Watson

Thelma 9 weeks after Stem Cell Therapy – Video

By raymumme

Thelma 8 weeks after Stem Cell Therapy – Video

By Dr. Matthew Watson

Head Injury Improves After Stem Cell Therapy – Video

By JoanneRUSSELL25

Moderate Mental Retardation with Behavioral Issues Improves with Stem Cell Therapy – Video

By Sykes24Tracey

Things to know about the real fountain of youth

By Dr. Matthew Watson

Animal Welfare Institute Requests Action from Federal Agencies on Santa Cruz … – Bay Area Indymedia

By Dr. Matthew Watson

Federal Investigations Reveal Severe Neglect of Animals at Santa Cruz … – Bay Area Indymedia

By Dr. Matthew Watson

Genetech Biotechnology Corp. (OTC:GNBT) Recovers Lost Ground – HotStocked

By Dr. Matthew Watson

StemCells, Inc., Still Looking for $40 Million from California Stem Cell Agency

By Dr. Matthew Watson

Stem Cell Agency Chair Pressing for Consensus on IOM Recommendations

By Dr. Matthew Watson

UC Davis Stem Cell Researcher: ‘Ivory Tower’ IOM Recommendations Harmful to California Stem Cell Agency

By Dr. Matthew Watson

Patient Advocate Says IOM Recommendations Would ‘Destroy’ California Stem Cell Agency

By Dr. Matthew Watson

Live Audiocast Available for Next Week’s CIRM-IOM Meetings

By Dr. Matthew Watson

California Stem Cell Face-Off: CIRM Directors Wrestle with Tough IOM Recommendations

By Dr. Matthew Watson

NeoStem's Subsidiary, Progenitor Cell Therapy, Enters Into a Cell Therapy Manufacturing Services Agreement With …

By Dr. Matthew Watson

Stem Cell Therapy Guidelines Readied

By NEVAGiles23

SanBio Announces Enrollment Of The Second Cohort Of Patients In Its Clinical Trial Of Stem Cell Therapy For Chronic …

By Dr. Matthew Watson

Categories

Archives

Recommended Sites