Category Archives: Stem Cell Therapy

Mainstream news coverage today was skimpy, to put it mildly, of the testy session yesterday involving the governing board of the California stem
cell agency and representatives of the prestigious Institute of
Medicine(IOM).

"'I'm a
colon cancer survivor,' said Art Torres, vice chairman of the
oversight committee, and a patient advocate designate. 'Does having
colon cancer make me biased?'
“Jeff
Sheehy, another patient advocate designate, protested what he called
a 'defenestration' of patient advocates, whose interests often span
multiple diseases.”

Source:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uqpFc/~3/sTuRbsA7d_w/meager-coverage-of-yesterdays-bristling.html

Jon Shestack, a patient advocate member
of the governing board of the California stem cell agency, weighed in
today on the virtues of the grant application appeal process at the
$3 billion research enterprise.

Source:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uqpFc/~3/ROhqJSUEC28/appeals-at-california-stem-cell-agency.html

The headline on the Los Angeles
Times web site this afternoon read,

"Is California's stem cell program
preparing to waste $700,000?"

"If you're betting that
the California
stem cell agency will spurn key recommendations of a
blue-ribbon review panel that criticized its leadership and
management structures, you might want to double that bet. Several
board members showed overt hostility to the panel's recommendations
during a public meeting today."

"CIRM Chairman Jonathan
Thomas glided over those issues when he introduced Shapiro.
Thomas observed that the Institute of Medicine report included many
statements "validating CIRM, its process, what it was able to
achieve," which is a bit like launching the investigation of a
plane crash by focusing on all the planes that land safely every day.
Thomas did mention that the Institute of Medicine had made numerous
recommendation about how to "take something which is already a
great experience and improve it even further." 

"Shapiro got only a few minutes
into his presentation before board members started interrupting him
with objections to the Institute of Medicine's recommendation for a
majority of independent members."

"Thomas promised to stage a public
workshop on the Institute of Medicine report soon and to subject them
to 'lengthy discussion.' 

"Does that sound as if the board
will be taking seriously the advice that it change the way it does
business? Stay tuned, but don't hold your breath."

Source:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uqpFc/~3/9CY8_m5Reqo/la-times-on-california-stem-cell-agency.html

The 12 winners in the latest round of grants from the California stem cell agency all come from institutions linked to directors on the agency's governing board. Board members with conflicts of interest are not allowed to vote on the grants or participate in the debate. Since the inception of the agency, more than 90 percent of its awards have gone to institutions linked to the directors. Here is a link to the CIRM press release on today's meeting.

Here is the list of researchers who won awards today.

New Faculty Physician Scientist Translational Research Awards

Source:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uqpFc/~3/QdM4BZ5hPnc/winners-from-todays-awards-by.html

The California stem cell agency, which
has awarded ViaCyte, Inc., $36 million, today pumped another $3
million in the firm following the collapse of an alliance between the
San Diego firm and GlaxoSmithKline.

 “This is
verification of our program. To have (the head of Glaxo regenerative
medicine program) join us through a partnership arrangement with GSK
means that a project that we've shepherded from the basic science
through to the preclinical work and is heading to the clinic we're
now going to do in partnership with a very major organization.”

Source:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uqpFc/~3/qtxtQt3nhU0/viacyte-wins-another-3-million-from.html

The outside counsel to the governing board of the California stem cell agency is preparing an opinion on whether some of the major changes recommended by the blue-ribbon Institute of Medicine(IOM) study might require a vote of the people.

More than three years ago, the same issue was raised  and used by the agency to resist unwanted changes.

Kevin McCormack, agency spokesman, said today that James Harrison of Remcho Johansen & Purcell of San Leandro will perform the analysis. Harrison has been counsel to the CIRM board since its inception. He also wrote part of Proposition 71, which created the stem cell agency in 2004.

Harrison's analysis was disclosed after CIRM Director Sherry Lansing, who is also chairwoman of the University of California Board of Regents, said this morning that the board's "hands are tied" concerning some of the IOM proposals because they could require a vote of the people. Other members of the board bristled at the IOM recommendations.

In 2009, Harrison tackled a similar task in connection with related, proposed structural changes at the $3 billion stem cell research effort. In reaction to proposals by the Little Hoover Commission, the state's good government agency, Harrison said,

“The Little Hoover Commission’s proposals would effect drastic and disruptive changes to CIRM’s governance and operating systems. Such changes run counter to the voters’ intent, and do not further Proposition 71’s purposes.”

The California Stem Cell Report wrote at the time, 

"The 10-page legal memo hung most of its arguments on a provision in Prop. 71 that states that it can only be amended by the legislature if the changes 'enhance the ability of the institute to further the purposes of the grant and loan programs.'
"Harrison's memo said the Hoover proposals (in question) could only be enacted through another ballot measure...."

The Little Hoover proposals dealt with the structure of the board and the conflicting responsibilities of the president and the chairman. The IOM has recommended major changes in both areas and approvingly cited the Hoover study .

Harrison's analysis will also delineate which IOM recommendations can be implemented by board action and which will require legislative approval.

Source:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uqpFc/~3/6UqNIAVe5JY/constitutional-questions-raised-on.html

Carrie Miceli UCLA photo

Stan Nelson UCLA photo

“(The researchers) hope this one-two
punch used in combination will overcome the genetic mutations that
cause DMD, restore a missing protein needed for proper muscle
function and allow those affected by the disease to lead relatively
normal lives.”

“Their youngest son, Dylan, 11, was
diagnosed with DMD in 2004. While he’s still ambulatory – many
DMD patients require the use of wheelchairs by about age 10 – Dylan
can no longer run or climb stairs and he can’t shoot a basketball
over his head like other boys his age.  Despite these
challenges, Miceli said Dylan remains a happy, funny and engaged boy,
full of life and passion.

“'We entered into this field because
of the diagnosis of our son, but we hope our research can help many
others,' she said. 'There are drugs that can help manage the symptoms
of the disease, but nothing that changes its course dramatically.
We’re trying to correct the defect that causes DMD with highly
personalized genetic medicine.'” 

Source:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uqpFc/~3/aAacD9507GI/a-singular-scientific-story-duchennes.html