Author Archives: admin


Stem Cell Clinic > Articles by: admin

Lifespan opens stem cell research lab in Knowledge District

By Stem Cell Treatment

PROVIDENCE Lifespan opened a new stem cell research laboratory Wednesday afternoon on the fifth floor of the hospital networks Coro Building. The lab is the first phase of a major investment to turn the entire building in Providences Knowledge District into a state-of-the art research facility.

Construction of the new 11,000-sqare-foot research lab, a Center for Biomedical Research Excellence for Stem Cell Biology, was funded through a $300,000 National Institutes of Health grant to Dr. Peter Quesenberry, director of hematology oncology at Rhode Island and The Miriam hospitals.

The lab will provide researchers with the state-of-the-art technology needed to support ongoing research in the areas of cancer, tissue injury and basic stem cell biology, according to Quesenberry.

This new lab space will help us to further study the use of stem cells for the treatment of many illnesses various forms of cancer, tissue and organ damage and much more, Quesenberry said. Creating this research hub provides our researchers with the best possible resources, and places us in close proximity to the hospitals, allowing us to more appropriately collaborate with our peers, and truly bring research from the bench to the bedside.

The laboratory also will support research in novel anti-cancer treatments for pediatric and adult malignancies, and will continue to examine therapeutic mechanisms underlying refractory leukemia and lymphoma, according to hospital officials. The new lab space can accommodate 14 laboratory benches, and can accommodate 10 funded investigators, as well as their technicians and students.

Part of Rhode Island Hospitals mission is to be at the forefront of patient care by creating, applying and sharing the most advanced knowledge in health care, said Peter Snyder, senior vice president and chief of research at Lifespan. One of the ways we do that is by providing our researchers with the tools they need to conduct cutting-edge research in order to discover and create improved diagnostic measures and treatments.

This new research space is the first step in a major renovation project of the 270,000-square-foot Coro Building, creating a research facility that will serve as a focal point for clinical research in Rhode Island, according to Snyder.

Notable elected officials speaking at the labs opening and tour included Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee, Lt. Gov. Elizabeth H. Roberts, U.S. Sens. Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, U.S. Rep. James R. Langevin, and Providence Mayor Angel Taveras.

Speakers from the Rhode Island medical community included Dr. Edward Wing, dean of medicine and biological sciences at The Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University, Dr. Timothy J. Babineau, president and CEO of Lifespan, Snyder, Quesenberry, and Dr. Louis Rice, chief of the department of medicine at Rhode Island and The Miriam hospitals.

See the rest here:
Lifespan opens stem cell research lab in Knowledge District

Hospitals performing stem cell therapy are yet to be accredited – DOH

By Stem Cell Treatment

By: Azer N. Parrocha, Philippine News Agency March 28, 2013 3:16 AM

InterAksyon.com The online news portal of TV5

MANILA, Philippines - Although guidelines for stem cell therapy in the country have already been released, the Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday reminded the public that hospitals performing the treatment are as of the moment, not accredited.

Health Secretary Enrique Ona, in a press conference, explained that for a hospital or clinic to be considered accredited, a years worth of tests and studies have to be done to prove that the procedure is indeed safe and effective.

I hope the general public understands that these stem cells, although called innovative (form of treatment) is not standard and should not be advertised as though it is already an accepted form of treatment, Ona said.

Ona explained that the DOH still continues to look on the capacity of the treatment and will make sure that the stem cells used for procedure are accepted as protocol.

Stem cells like those coming from embryos or animals which are restricted will also be looked into by the DOH to see if there are any hospitals or clinics that do not abide by the administrative order.

If the protocol is accepted, report of results should be evaluated, he said. They are evaluated about a year to see if their claim is effective [and if it is] it will be validated.

At present, there are no hospitals or clinics completely accredited for the stem cell therapy yet. Given that, certain processes must be followed before doctors are allowed to use the treatment.

I cannot see a so-called clinic yet certifying that there is a process that is very effective, Ona explained. We have to see the type of stem cell, the type of claim they have.

Excerpt from:
Hospitals performing stem cell therapy are yet to be accredited – DOH

International Stem Cell Corporation Announces Fourth Quarter 2012 Financial Results and Provides Business Update

By Stem Cell Treatment

CARLSBAD, CA--(Marketwire - Mar 27, 2013) - International Stem Cell Corporation (OTCQB: ISCO) (www.internationalstemcell.com) ("ISCO" or "the Company"), a California-based biotechnology company focused on therapeutic and biomedical products, today announced financial results for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2012.

FY 2012 Highlights:

Three Months Ended December 31, 2012

Revenue for the three months ended December 31, 2012 totaled $1.25 million compared to $1.06 million for the same period in 2011. Sales for Lifeline Skin Care (LSC) and Lifeline Cell Technology (LCT) increased by 39% and 3%, respectively. LSC and LCT accounted for 48% and 52% of total revenue in the three months ended December 31, 2012.

Development expenses decreased by 8% to $3.65 million due primarily to reductions in cost of sales and consulting expenses relating to our research and development projects, partially offset by an increase in sales and marketing spending. General and administrative expenses were $1.89 million, reflecting relatively constant expense compared to the fourth quarter of 2011.

Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2012

Sales for the twelve months ended December 31, 2012 were $4.57 million compared to $4.53 million in 2011. LCT sales were $2.38 million, up 14% from 2011, representing 52% of total revenue in 2012. LSC revenues were $2.19 million compared to $2.45 million in 2011 reflecting a decrease of 11%.

Cost of sales was $1.27 million, or 28% of revenue, compared to $1.62 million or 36% of revenue in 2011. The Company successfully implemented efficiencies in its manufacturing and supply chain management for both LSC and LCT.

Net loss from development activities was $9.81 million, compared to $11.36 million in 2011 reflecting a reduction of $1.55 million or 14% primarily due to favorable reductions in cost of sales, research and development and general and administrative expenses.

Cash and cash equivalents totaled $0.65 million at December 31, 2012 compared to $1.34 million at December 31, 2011.

Excerpt from:
International Stem Cell Corporation Announces Fourth Quarter 2012 Financial Results and Provides Business Update

ReNeuron Group to begin stem cell treatment of critical limb ischaemia

By Stem Cell Treatment

LONDON (ShareCast) - ReNeuron Group (Other OTC: RNUGF - news) has received regulatory approval to begin the first phase of a clinical trial in the UK for the company's ReN009 stem cell therapy treatment for critical limb ischaemia.

Critical limb ischaemia, a condition which leads to blood vessel blockage in limbs such as toes and can lead to amputation, is ReNeuron's second major disease target after stroke in its CTX stem cell line.

The stem cell therapeutics group said ReN009 has the potential to restore sufficient blood flow in the affected lower limb of patients with the condition.

The Phase 1 clinical trial will be undertaken though NHS Tayside at Ninewells Hospital and Medical School in Dundee, Scotland.

ReN009 cells will be administered via straightforward intramuscular injection into the affected lower limb of nine patients with peripheral arterial disease.

ReNeuron was recently awarded a late stage biomedical catalyst grant of 0.4m from the Technology Strategy Board, the UK Government's innovation agency, to be deployed towards the cost of the study.

"These clinical trial approvals for our next major disease target, together with the recently announced biomedical catalyst funding for the Phase I critical limb ischaemia study, represent strong endorsements of the strength of ReNeuron's technologies and its CTX stem cell therapy candidate," said Chief Executive Officer Michael Hunt.

Shares climbed 1.94% to 3.15p at 10:08 Tuesday.

RD

Originally posted here:
ReNeuron Group to begin stem cell treatment of critical limb ischaemia

→←