California's Alpha Stem Cell Clinics: Open in 2014, Six to Eight Locations

The San Francisco Business Times
yesterday said that the first Alpha Clinic sponsored by the $3
billion California stem cell agency could open as early as 2014.

The timing was disclosed by CIRM
President Alan Trounson in an article by Ron Leuty, who also reported
that that Trounson's $70 million proposal (see here and here) would involve as many as
six to eight clinics. The locations of the clinics was not disclosed
and would be subject to a competitive RFA. However, Leuty's piece
mentioned UC San Francisco and Stanford.

The article also said initial
treatments might focus on eye disease, “brain therapies” and
spinal cord injuries.

The Alpha Clinic plan is scheduled to
come before the CIRM board in late July. The proposal is aimed at
speeding stem cell treatments and creating something of a one-stop
shopping experience for patients.

Once the CIRM board approves the
concept, an RFA will be issued and interested institutions will have
to submit bids and compete for funding.