Category Archives: Stem Cells

MADISON, Wis., Oct. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --The National Institutes of Health Center for Regenerative Medicine (NIH-CRM) has awarded Cellular Dynamics International, Inc. (CDI), the world's largest commercial producer of human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell lines and tissue cells, a contract to provide human iPS cell lines and terminally differentiated tissue cells from normal or specified patient populations. The contract is worth up to $7.0 million for the three year life of the agreement. This contract follows on two NIH-CRM contracts awarded in September 2011, whereby CDI will generate and genetically engineer iPS cell lines; the company has delivered on several of these cell lines already.

This contract meets a primary goal of the NIH-CRM: to provide researchers with the support needed to move stem cell technology forward. It is expected that these cells will be utilized for preclinical research, including screening compound libraries. As one of the only companies in the world capable of providing iPSC-derived tissue cells in the quality, quantity, and purity required for preclinical research, CDI currently manufactures iCell Cardiomyocytes, iCell Neurons, iCell Endothelial Cells, and iCell Hepatocytes. In addition, the company launched its MyCell Services in June this year, whereby researchers can contract CDI to manufacture iPS cells and tissue cells, as well as do genetic engineering, for patient samples they supply.

"This contract enables NIH researchers to easily access our human iPS cell-derived cells and accelerate the pace of their research," said Chris Parker, chief commercial officer of CDI. "Scientists can now concentrate on their experiments and the data they generate instead of trying to manufacture a consistent and pure supply of human cells. Our expertise is providing the necessary tools human cells so that researchers can focus on discoveries."

Robert Palay, chief executive officer of CDI, continued, "CDI was founded on Dr. James Thomson's vision that the industrial manufacture of human iPS cells and the somatic cells derived from them is critical for discoveries and benefits to human health to be realized. This NIH contract award recognizes CDI's leadership in developing iPSC technology and providing high quality cellular tools to the biological research community in their drive toward improving human health."

About Cellular Dynamics International, Inc.Cellular Dynamics International, Inc. (CDI) is a leading developer of next-generation stem cell technologies for drug development, cell therapy, tissue engineering and organ regeneration. CDI harnesses its unique manufacturing technology to produce differentiated tissue cells from any individual's stem cell line in industrial quality, quantity and purity. CDI is accelerating the adoption of pluripotent stem cell technology, adapting its methods to fit into standard clinical practice by the creation of individual stem cell lines from a standard blood draw. CDI was founded in 2004 by Dr. James Thomson, a pioneer in human pluripotent stem cell research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. CDI's facilities are located in Madison, Wisconsin. See http://www.cellulardynamics.com.

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NIH-CRM Awards Cellular Dynamics up to $7 Million to Produce Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells and Differentiated ...

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Medistem announced today Dr. Alan Lewis, the recently appointed CEO of Medistem, will be presenting at the Stem Cells on the Mesa meeting. The company will discuss its ongoing programs at creating effective treatments for cardiovascular diseases using the Endometrial Regenerative Cell (ERC), a stem cell derived from menstrual blood.

The lining of the uterus is unique in its ability to create large numbers of new blood vessels monthly. We found that the cells responsible for creation of new blood vessels, the ER, are shed into the menstrual blood. The ERC have now been cleared by the FDA for clinical trials, said Dr. Lewis. Currently we are pursuing clinical trials in patients with heart failure and critical limb ischemia, an advanced form of peripheral artery disease. In both of these conditions we anticipate the production of new blood vessels will lead to therapeutic responses.

The NIH has recently published that Medistem's ERC possess a unique genetic profile associated with stimulation of new blood vessel growth. The paper may be found at http://www.translational-medicine.com/content/pdf/1479-5876-10-207.pdf

We are excited about the commercialization potential of these cells, given that one donor can generated 20,000 treatment doses, said Thomas Ichim, President and Chief Scientific Officer of Medistem.

Medistems presentation will be at 5:30 PM, Monday, October 29th, 2012, Location: Sanford Consortium, 2880 Torrey Pines Scenic Drive, La Jolla, CA.

The 2012 Stem Cell Meeting on the Mesa is aimed at bringing together senior members of the business development and scientific research communities in regenerative medicine to advance stem cell science into cures for debilitating diseases and injuries. The meeting features a nationally recognized Scientific Symposium attended by more than 600 leading scientists and researchers alongside the regenerative medicine industry's premier annual Investor and Partnering.

Cautionary Statement

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of our securities. This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified. Future events and actual results could differ materially from those set forth in, contemplated by, or underlying the forward-looking information. Factors which may cause actual results to differ from our forward-looking statements are discussed in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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Medistem CEO Dr. Alan Lewis to Present at the Stem Cell Meeting on the Mesa

Researchers recently announced the beginning of a FDA-approved clinical trial that uses umbilical cord blood stem cells to cure autism.

Dr. Michael Chez, director of pediatric neurology at Sutter Neuroscience Institute in Sacramento, Calif., said he and his colleagues have been processing the trial for more than a year now, and they have high hopes it will succeed.

- Dr. Michael Chez, director of pediatric neurology at Sutter Neuroscience Institute in Sacramento, Calif.

What we are looking at, is cases that dont have an obvious genetic link, Chez told FoxNews.com. Patients that we presume something went wrong with their brains, which caused a change to autistic features.

Related: Cord blood cures baby's grapefruit-sized tumor

In other words, the trials patients will essentially have no reason to have autism or at least no genetic markers for the disease. This means they must have presumably developed it through another factor, such as the environment or exposure to an infection.

Chez got the idea to treat autism with cord blood stem cells when he observed the cells make a big difference for a little boy who had cerebral palsy.

Related: Cord blood reverses cerebral palsy in Colorado girl

Now, Chez wants to put this boys experience to work for children with autism.

Autism is a developmental disorder that appears in a childs first three years of life, according to the National Institutes of Health. One in 88 U.S. children have it, and it affects one in 54 boys. The condition impacts the brains normal development of social and communication skills sometimes mildly, sometimes extremely.

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Clinical trial attempts to cure autism with cord blood

SEOUL, South Korea, Oct. 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Grace of Stem Cells byDr. Jeong Chan Ra, biomedical scientist and Chairman of RNL BIO, was published by October 24, 2012.At the National Press Club, leaders from around the world and the media gathered to discuss Dr. Ra's claim that huge amounts of peer reviewed data is systematically ignored in order that opponents of ethical stem cell research are able to promote unsuccessful, unsafe embryonic strategies. Dr. Ra is Chairman of RNL BIO, itself a leader in stem cell translational research.

The Grace of Stem Cells is the first comprehensive analysis of adult stem cell interventions to be published in the English language, and was hailed by leaders for its equally profound story of the relationship between Christian faith and a scientific approach to stem cell research.

Dr. Ra's previous work includes dozens of scientific papers and a book that has sold over 30,000 copies and is ranked one of the best-sellers in science books in Asia.

Emeritus President of the Southern Baptist Convention and one of America's most influential religious leaders Dr. Morris Chapman joined others from America and abroad to celebrate the work as, to quote Dr. Chapman, "the most important book for pro-life advocates on this subject to be published ever."

Patients who had received treatment for incurable diseases using their own (autologous) stem cells were both in attendance and spoke of Dr. Ra's story. Chloe Sohl, who lost her hearing to autoimmune hearing loss, told her story. But the discussion pivoted not on the stories of individuals but the huge amount of published data of recent origin and its effect on the huge demand for stem cells.

Dr. Jeong Chan Ra stated, "As much controversy and issues of safety are concerned in the field of stem cells or embryonic stem cells, autologous adult stem cells are derived from cells that already exist in our bodies to help us treat all kinds of diseases, which is a reminder of God's omnipotence."

Dr. Ra added, "I sincerely hope The Grace of Stem Cells instills faith to people with incurable diseases to be treated." He described the complete commitment of RNL BIO and its partners and friends to bioethics, to protection of life, and to aggressive and systematic research and translational medicine and educational programs. He also discussed the recent and extraordinary growth of RNL BIO and what his plans include for the future.

All royalties from the publications in the United States will be donated to Bethesda Life Foundation in Tennessee, USA. The book is now available in paper as well as e-book at amazon.com.

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National Press Club Celebration of the Publication of "The Grace of Stem Cells" by Jeong Chan Ra, Chairman of RNL BIO

Public release date: 26-Oct-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Yixian Zheng zheng@ciwemb.edu 410-246-3032 Carnegie Institution

Baltimore, MD The ability of embryonic stem cells to differentiate into different types of cells with different functions is regulated and maintained by a complex series of chemical interactions, which are not well understood. Learning more about this process could prove useful for stem cell-based therapies down the road. New research from a team led by Carnegie's Yixian Zheng zeroes in on the process by which stem cells maintain their proper undifferentiated state. Their results are published in Cell October 26.

Embryonic stem cells go through a process called self-renewal, wherein they undergo multiple cycles of division while not differentiating into any other type of cells. This process is dependent on three protein networks, which guide both self-renewal and eventual differentiation. But the integration of these three networks has remained a mystery.

Using a combination of genetic, protein-oriented and physiological approaches involving mouse embryonic stem cells, the teamwhich also included current and former Carnegie scientists Junling Jia, Xiaobin Zheng, Junqi Zhang, Anying Zhang, and Hao Jianguncovered a mechanism that integrates all three networks involved in embryonic stem cell self-renewal and provide a critical missing link to understanding this process.

The key is a protein called Utf1. It serves three important roles. First, it balances between activating and deactivating the necessary genes to direct the cell toward differentiation. At the same time, it acts on messenger RNA that is the transcription product of the genes when they're activated by tagging it for degradation, rather than allowing it to continue to serve its cellular function. Lastly, it blocks a genetic feedback loop that normally inhibits cellular proliferation, allowing it to occur in the rapid nature characteristic of embryonic stem cells.

"We are slowly but surely growing to understand the physiology of embryonic stem cells," Zheng said. "It is crucial that we continue to carrying out basic research on how these cells function."

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Non-Carnegie co-authors on the paper include Gangquing Hu, Kairong Cui, Chengyu Liu and Keji Zhao of the National Institutes of Health; and John Yates III and Bingwen Lu of the Scripps Research Institute, the latter of whom is now at Pfizer.

This research was supported by NIH, NHLBI intramural research, HHMI, and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics Inc.

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Solving stem cell mysteries