Posted: November 18, 2012 at 8:00 am
In the womb, a ball of identical cells gives rise to varied cell types that ultimately form highly ordered structures and then the full panoply of organs in the human body. The process advances according to an internal biological script that directs each fold and crease of tissue to assume exactly the proper shape and dimension.
http://rss.sciam.com/click.phdo?i=1e6abdd024c3b29c15070219c99ad16a
Posted: November 18, 2012 at 8:00 am
The California stem cell agency said
today it does not plan to reactivate the $25 million loan to assist
in Geron's spinal injury clinical trial despite an impending deal that would turn the effort over to BioTime, Inc.
“That (earlier) loan was specific to
Geron and when the trial was ended the loan ended too. Of course if
Biotime and Geron do complete their deal then Biotime would be free
to apply to us for a new disease team grant.”
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uqpFc/~3/DS-6n2DoRy0/biotime-will-have-to-compete-for.html
Posted: November 18, 2012 at 8:00 am
Geron Corp., which once pioneered human
embryonic stem cell research, is close to selling off its hESC business in a complicated deal involving two former CEOs of the company and
BioTime, Inc., of Alameda, Ca.
“ BioTime would contribute
to BAC $5 million in cash, $30 million of BioTime common
shares, warrants to purchase eight (8) million common shares
of BioTime at a pre-specified price, rights to use certain
human embryonic stem cell lines, and minority stakes in two of
BioTime’s subsidiaries. In addition, a private investor would
invest $5 million in cash in BAC.
“Following consummation of the
potential transaction, Geron stockholders would receive
shares representing 21.4% of the common stock of BAC as well as
warrants to purchase 8 million shares of BioTime common
stock at a pre-specified price. BioTime would own
approximately 71.6%, and a private investor would own approximately
7.0% of the outstanding BAC common stock for their $5
million investment. BioTime would also receive
warrants that would enable it to increase its ownership in BAC by
approximately 2%, which would reduce the Geron stockholders’
ownership in BAC to 19.2%. BAC would also be committed to pay
to Geron royalties on the sale of products that are
commercialized in reliance upon Geron patents acquired by
BAC.”
“The offer couldn’t come at a
better time for Geron, which in recent months has started to feel
pressure from its shareholders to boost its stock price and move
products through the pipeline. Since last November, when the company
announced its decision to shutter its hESC and regenerative medicine
business and funnel its resources into developing telomerase-related
treatments for cancer, the stock price has dropped more than 50
percent to $1.30 a share. Geron claimed the move was simply to save
money, but many took the decision—which effectively terminated a
clinical trial of an hESC treatment for spinal cord injury—as a
setback for the entire field."
News coverage of yesterday's
announcement was light. Here is a link to a piece by Ryan McBride on
Fierce Biotech.
Posted: November 18, 2012 at 7:59 am
Yoshiki Sasai is not just an ordinary tissue engineer who tries to coax stem cells to grow into fully formed bodily structures. It is true that Sasai has made his mark by taking on big projects like using stem cells to whip up a retina, cortical tissue and the cerebellum, involved with balance and movement. But his research has gone deeper by delving into the way stem cells organize themselves into complex structures under the influence of genes and the prenatal environment. Read a profile of Sasai here to accompany “ Grow Your Own Eye ,” Sasai’s own account of growing a retina in the November Scientific American .
http://rss.sciam.com/click.phdo?i=7291cadd43ac0cf30e9687431d559702
Posted: November 18, 2012 at 7:59 am
In the womb, a ball of identical cells gives rise to varied cell types that ultimately form highly ordered structures and then the full panoply of organs in the human body. The process advances according to an internal biological script that directs each fold and crease of tissue to assume exactly the proper shape and dimension.
http://rss.sciam.com/click.phdo?i=1e6abdd024c3b29c15070219c99ad16a
Posted: November 18, 2012 at 7:59 am
The California stem cell agency said
today it does not plan to reactivate the $25 million loan to assist
in Geron's spinal injury clinical trial despite an impending deal that would turn the effort over to BioTime, Inc.
“That (earlier) loan was specific to
Geron and when the trial was ended the loan ended too. Of course if
Biotime and Geron do complete their deal then Biotime would be free
to apply to us for a new disease team grant.”
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uqpFc/~3/DS-6n2DoRy0/biotime-will-have-to-compete-for.html
Posted: November 18, 2012 at 7:59 am
Geron Corp., which once pioneered human
embryonic stem cell research, is close to selling off its hESC business in a complicated deal involving two former CEOs of the company and
BioTime, Inc., of Alameda, Ca.
“ BioTime would contribute
to BAC $5 million in cash, $30 million of BioTime common
shares, warrants to purchase eight (8) million common shares
of BioTime at a pre-specified price, rights to use certain
human embryonic stem cell lines, and minority stakes in two of
BioTime’s subsidiaries. In addition, a private investor would
invest $5 million in cash in BAC.
“Following consummation of the
potential transaction, Geron stockholders would receive
shares representing 21.4% of the common stock of BAC as well as
warrants to purchase 8 million shares of BioTime common
stock at a pre-specified price. BioTime would own
approximately 71.6%, and a private investor would own approximately
7.0% of the outstanding BAC common stock for their $5
million investment. BioTime would also receive
warrants that would enable it to increase its ownership in BAC by
approximately 2%, which would reduce the Geron stockholders’
ownership in BAC to 19.2%. BAC would also be committed to pay
to Geron royalties on the sale of products that are
commercialized in reliance upon Geron patents acquired by
BAC.”
“The offer couldn’t come at a
better time for Geron, which in recent months has started to feel
pressure from its shareholders to boost its stock price and move
products through the pipeline. Since last November, when the company
announced its decision to shutter its hESC and regenerative medicine
business and funnel its resources into developing telomerase-related
treatments for cancer, the stock price has dropped more than 50
percent to $1.30 a share. Geron claimed the move was simply to save
money, but many took the decision—which effectively terminated a
clinical trial of an hESC treatment for spinal cord injury—as a
setback for the entire field."
News coverage of yesterday's
announcement was light. Here is a link to a piece by Ryan McBride on
Fierce Biotech.
Posted: November 18, 2012 at 6:41 am
For Dr. Robert Janson-Mller, the science of fresh cell therapy is in his blood.
His grandfather, Dr. Philipp Janson was one of the few doctors who introduced the treatment in Germany. His father, Dr. Wolfgang Janson-Mller continued the work that was eventually passed on to him.
He was exposed to the revolutionary world of fresh cell therapy early on in life. The treatment uses live young cells from a donor animal like sheep to help regenerate damaged cells in the body. Dr. Mller practically grew up in his grandfather and father's clinic where he met the former's patients, some of whom still go to him for their regular treatments.
''A child always wants to grow up like his father and do the same thing. My father left it open for me. He told me I could do whatever I want, the same thing I am doing now for my daughter. I'm also head of a clinic in Munich. This is what I do besides cell treatment. We have a family practice. That is my main job,'' shares the 46-year-old German doctor who recently visited the Philippines to acquaint Filipinos with the science of fresh cell therapy.
Dr. Mller, who owns a fresh cell therapy laboratory and works as head doctor of Med Activ clinic in Munich, says that despite the growing market for it in America and Asia, there are only five doctors in Germany practicing the science. The treatment is known to deter degenerative diseases such as arthrosis, rheumatism and neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis. But it is most popular as an anti-aging treatment. Recently, it has also been used to treat children with autism and Down syndrome.
Yet, Dr. Mller points out that fresh cell therapy is not a miracle cure for aging or these diseases. Some bodies accept the treatment while some don't. And, it doesn't treat every disease known to mankind.
Nevertheless, patients from all over the world still flock to his private clinic at the Prinzregent Hotel in Edenkoben, Germany to avail themselves of the treatment, which does not come cheap. One session would cost about $12,000 or R624,000.
''I don't treat patients with cancer, tuberculosis, AIDS, or those who are pregnant. We don't treat patients with acute inflammations like appendicitis. Aside from that, I need to see if it makes sense. If I don't see a possibility, I say no,'' he explains.
In this 60 Minutes interview, Dr. Mller shares how fresh cell therapy really works and how it can take more than just one, two, 20, 60 or even 100 treatments to get it right. Some may start as young as eight months old or continue the treatment at 99 years old. This just proves that a patient is never too young nor too old for this revolutionary treatment. (Angelo G. Garcia)
STUDENTS AND CAMPUSES BULLETIN (SCB): A lot of people are confused about the difference between stem cell and fresh cell therapy.
Read more from the original source:
The cell therapist
Posted: November 17, 2012 at 11:43 pm
Call for Nominations: "Stem Cell Person of the Year"
UC Davis stem cell scientist Paul Knoepfler is seeking nominees for the 2012 "Stem Cell Person of the Year." He created the new award to recognize an individual who has made an outstanding difference in the field of stem cell-based cellular and regenerative medicine. Nominees can be scientists, patient advocates, individuals from industry or just about anyone who has made the stem cell field better. The award includes a $1000 cash prize.From:UCDavisHealthViews:2 0ratingsTime:01:48More inScience Technology
Link:
Call for Nominations: "Stem Cell Person of the Year" - Video
Posted: November 17, 2012 at 11:43 pm
GIA announces the release of a comprehensive global report on Regenerative Medicine markets. Global market for Regenerative Medicine is projected to exceed US$4.4 billion by 2018, driven by technological advances and favorable demographics. Potentially huge savings on the medical care front and enhanced healing capabilities of regenerative medicine are expected to be the major contributing factors for market growth. Supportive political actions, Government funding, corporate investment, clinical outcomes, increased awareness, increased endorsement from doctors, enhanced manufacturing technologies, and novel sources of stem cells are also expected to impart momentum to the growth of Regenerative Medicine.
San Jose, California (PRWEB) November 16, 2012
Though the current market for regenerative medicine is small in size, the market for tissue engineering holds the potential to reach enormous levels in the coming decade. Growth in the regenerative medicine market is forecast to be propelled by new products to be introduced in the segments of orthopedics, neurology, organ regeneration, wound care, cardiovascular, and urology. With the strengthening of existing markets, the regenerative medicine market is also expected to witness penetration in other markets including Japan, Europe and other emerging countries.
Regenerative Medicine market is presently witnessing the introduction of a limited number of regenerative therapies targeting mainly orthopedics (including bone and joint applications), wound care, and body sculpture. There are a number of therapies in the development pipeline addressing potential areas such as Cardiovascular, Nerve repair, Diabetes and Inflammatory diseases among others. In addition, the future is also expected to witness the introduction of laboratory grown tissue engineered organs and tissues. However, the development of fully functional organs is expected to be very complex and the prediction of the success of this attempt is impossible at present. As an alternative to this approach, attempts to develop the organ in parts are also going on which is relatively less complicated and offer higher success rates.
Orthopedics segment which includes spine, bone grafts and bone substitutes is the largest among the different fields of global regenerative medicine market. Advancements in the biological science has drastically revolutionized regenerative medicine domain. Specifically, regenerative medicine in bone and joint applications made huge strides over the past few years. Healthy growth in the bone and joint applications is primarily due to the ageing baby boomer population and escalating incidence of osteoporosis, arthritis, and several other bone and joint traumas, including knee injuries and hip fractures. Growing awareness among people for regenerative medicines and increasing usage of non-autograft products by doctors and medical personnel are also stimulating growth for these products.
As stated by the new market research report on Regenerative Medicine, the US represents the largest market worldwide. Though the US is expected to retain its leading position, growth in other markets such as Japan is forecast to be higher than that of the US. The higher growth expected in the other markets is attributed to the level of Government as well as public support for the Regenerative Medicine sector. Though the US spends a substantial amount in the area of research, other Governments are also increasing their support for the sector. Bone Replacements represents the largest application for Regenerative Medicine in Bone and Joint Applications, while Tissue Replacements represents the application with highest potential for growth.
The global regenerative medicine market consists of companies engaged in harvesting, processing, purification, cryopreservation, storage, administration, or research activities of cells and tissue-based products. Major players in the global marketplace include BioVest International Inc., Curis Inc., Cytori Therapeutics Inc., Evotec AG, Forticell Bioscience Inc., Geron Corporation, Integra LifeSciences Corporation, LifeCell Corporation, Osiris Therapeutics Inc., Tengion Inc., Tepha Inc., and TiGenix N.V.
The research report titled "Regenerative Medicine: A Global Strategic Business Report" announced by Global Industry Analysts, Inc., provides a comprehensive review of market trends, issues, drivers, regulatory scenario, company profiles, mergers, acquisitions, and other strategic industry activities. The report provides market estimates and projections for Regenerative Medicine Products for Bone and Joint Applications (in US$) by Bone Replacements, Bone Stimulators, and Tissue Replacements applications. Geographic markets analyzed include the United States, Europe and Rest of World.
For more details about this comprehensive market research report, please visit
http://www.strategyr.com/Regenerative_Medicine_Market_Report.asp
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Technological Advances and Favorable Demographics Drives the Regenerative Medicine Market, According to New Report by ...
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