EastBridge Investment Group announces Cellular BioMedicine Group a keynote speaker at New York Stem Cell Summit

PHOENIX, Jan. 2, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- EastBridge Investment Group Corporation (EBIG), a provider of financial consulting services to companies in Asia ("EBIG") today announced Cellular BioMedicine Group ("CBMG") has been invited to give a keynote speech at the 8th Annual New York Stem Cell Summit, February 19, 2013. Dr. William Cao, president of CBMG , will deliver the keynote speech for CBMG.

EastBridge plans to merge with CBMG in January, 2013.

About Cellular Biomedicine GroupCellular Biomedicine Group, Ltd. is in the development of cell therapies for the treatment of certain cancer and degenerative diseases. Our developmental stem cell, progenitor cell, and immune cell projects are the result of collaborative research and development between scientists and doctors from the U.S. and China. Its flagship GMP facility, consisting of eight independent cell production lines, is designed, certified and managed according to U.S. standards. To learn more about CBMG, please visit: http://www.cellbiomedgroup.com

About EastBridgeEastBridge Investment Group focuses on high-growth companies in Asia and in the United States, offering assistance with all aspects of IPOs, joint ventures and merchant banking services. EastBridge targets industries in the fields of electronics, real estate, auto, metal, energy, environmental, bioscience and retail food distribution. To learn more about EastBridge Investment Group go to our web site: http://www.EbigCorp.com. To receive EBIG's email alert, send a blank email to info@EbigCorp.com.

Forward-Looking StatementsStatements in this press release relating to plans, strategies, economic performance and trends, projections of results of specific activities or investments, and other statements that are not descriptions of historical facts may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking information is inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors, which include, but are not limited to, risk factors inherent in doing business. Forward-looking statements may be identified by terms such as "may," "will," "expects," "plans," "intends," "estimates," "potential," or "continue," or similar terms or the negative of these terms. Although EastBridge and CBMG believe the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, they cannot guarantee that the announced merger will in fact be consummated or that future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements will be obtained. Neither EastBridge nor CBMG has any obligation to update these forward-looking statements other than as required by law.

Contact: Jeff Ramson Investor Relations ProActive Capital Group 646-863-6341

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EastBridge Investment Group announces Cellular BioMedicine Group a keynote speaker at New York Stem Cell Summit

NIH Study Suggests Gene Variation May Shape Bladder Cancer Treatment

Newswise Patients who have inherited a specific common genetic variant develop bladder cancer tumors that strongly express a protein known as prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA), which is also expressed in many pancreatic and prostate tumors, according to research at the National Institutes of Health.

A therapy targeting the PSCA protein on the tumor cell surface is under evaluation in clinical trials for prostate and pancreatic cancer. The researchers hope that this therapy will be tested in bladder cancer patients with the genetic variant, which could help to reduce potentially harmful side-effects, lower costs, and improve treatment efficacy.

Every gene contains a very long string of DNA components termed nucleotides (referenced commonly as T, C, G or A). A single letter variation in the string of letters can lead to changes in cell development, resulting in cancer.

In a previous study, the researchers identified a variant located in the PSCA gene on chromosome 8 as associated with bladder cancer susceptibility. The gene determines whether the corresponding protein is expressed in bladder tumor tissue. In the latest report, they found that the T nucleotide that comprises a gene variant called rs2294008 is a strong predictor of PSCA protein expression. The variant results in increased delivery of the protein to the cell surface, where it is involved in signaling and promotes tumor growth. The study by scientists from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health, appeared online in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute on Dec. 23, 2012.

Weve been pursuing this mechanism for some time now. It started with our early results from the initial genome-wide association study that revealed a marker in the PSCA gene related to bladder cancer risk. This latest work reveals how a specific letter change in DNA influences protein expression at the cell surface. The big payoff is that a simple genetic test can determine which patients could benefit from anti-PSCA therapy, said Ludmila Prokunina-Olsson, Ph.D., NCI Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, and senior author of this publication.

In 2012 in the United States alone, there were an estimated 73,510 new cases of bladder cancer and 14,880 deaths. The recurrence rate of bladder cancer is between 50 and 70 percent, and patients require life-long surveillance and treatment, making it an expensive cancer to live with and a major economic burden on the health care system and patients. Up to 75 percent of bladder cancer patients carry this genetic variant.

This is one of the first studies to show direct clinical implications of a genetic variant identified through genome-wide association studies for common cancers, said Stephen J. Chanock, M.D., acting co-director for the NCI Center for Cancer Genomics.

The scientists note that additional work is needed to develop alternative drugs targeting PSCA, and to evaluate drug delivery methods, such as systemic delivery for advanced muscle-invasive tumors and local, inter-bladder delivery in the case of non-muscle invasive tumors. Anti-PSCA therapy is likely to be effective only against tumors that express PSCA. A genetic test for the T nucleotide of this genetic variant can identify bladder cancer patients who could benefit from this treatment.

This research was supported by intramural funding at the NCI under contract number ZIA CP010201-04.

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NIH Study Suggests Gene Variation May Shape Bladder Cancer Treatment

Desperate patients seek stem-cell 'miracle,' but scientists warn of hidden dangers

Boca Raton parents Gary and Judy Susser say the know the hope and promise of stem-cell therapy. Nine years ago they traveled to Mexico for stem cell injections for their son Adam, who has cerebral palsy.

"Maybe it will do some good," Gary Susser said he and his wife thought at the time. They spent $25,000.

But the Sussers stopped stem cell injections in 2005, after spending about $25,000 and seeing no improvement. Now armed with more information, the Sussers are grateful the treatments didn't harm Adam, now 12. While they are advocates of "responsible" stem cell research, they warn other parents against making trips to Costa Rica, Mexico, Russia or other offshore clinics for experimental treatments.

With promising breakthroughs making the news, as well as Internet hype, desperate parents and seriously ill patients may look to stem-cell therapy as the modern miracle that could cure them. And one day, stem cells may be routinely used to repair damaged cells, improve the treatment of diseases and even cure paralysis.

But there are hidden dangers to today's stem cell treatments, both in the U.S. and offshore, scientists said at the recent World Stem Cell Summit in West Palm Beach. They pointed to reports of deaths, tumors, lumbar punctures and other potential harm, as well as vulnerable people being conned out of thousands of dollars.

Patients are "buying hope," said University of Miami scientist James Guest, working on The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis. But he and other scientists say that responsible research takes years to complete. The Miami Project, in the making for 25 years, is just now reaching the human clinical trial stage, he says.

Scientists urge consumers look for regulated clinical trials at universities and research institutions, saying that even those are not without risks.

"Clinics are operating out of loopholes, a gray area disguised as the practice of medicine," said George Q. Daley, director of the stem cell transplantation program at HHMI/Children's Hospital in Boston.

Industry researcher Douglas Sipp has kept records of more than 400 companies advertising stem cell products or procedures on websites since 2007. When he rechecked this summer, Sipp said 80 of the sites were no longer online, though they could have simply changed web addresses.

Some of the offshore clinics have been closed by individual countries after patients died, according to Sipp, who leads the research unit for Science Policy and Ethics Studies at the RIKEN Center in Japan.

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Desperate patients seek stem-cell 'miracle,' but scientists warn of hidden dangers

Bangkok Stem Cell Fat Graft Face Lift, Natural Breast Augmentaion & Brazillian Butt Lift Thailand at Cost-Effective!

Food and Healthcare Press Releases Wednesday January 2, 2013

Bangkok--2 Jan--Urban Beauty Thailand

Beauty is one of the greatest treasures in everyones life. Everyone is aware enough of the new technologies that arise in our society nowadays. One of them is the stem cells that would perfectly give you the youthful beauty that you wanna have.

Thailand stem cell is a cell that can develop into different types of tissue based on where it is placed in the body. As a result, their potential for regeneration and restoration of old to new is enormous. Although most stem cell therapies for anti-aging are still new, some plastic surgeons are offering stem cell facelift. A stem cell facelift in Thailand is a cosmetic procedure that purportedly uses your own stem cells to remove signs of aging - sagging skin, wrinkles, and decreased facial fullness. Stem cell facelifts have been marketed as a new facial rejuvenation tool.

On the other hand, many women dream of a natural-looking and permanent breast augmentation. Breast augmentation with the Adistem Stem Cell Technology in Thailand, is a gentle procedure that makes this dream a reality without silicone and other artificial fillers, without scars, without general anesthesia, and with no negative effects on natural breast function. This technique is used in the US and used by the doctors affiliated with the Urban Beauty Thailand.

This revolutionary technique is suited for women who have always wanted larger breasts as well as for women who have lost their original breast volume, e.g., through nursing or weight loss. The naturalness, youthful firmness, and durability of the results of Thailand stem cell breast augmentation with the Adistem Technology make them impressive. The best results are achieved with photo activated fat tissue that is processed under Adistem Laser Technology and then injected to the breast rather than artificial foreign materials. The augmented breast feels completely natural and looks genuine in any body position, whether at rest or in motion. Furthermore, the local rejuvenating effect of the Adistem stem cells gives the breasts a more youthful, firmer and tauter appearance.

Aside from the Adistem stem cell facelift and breast augmentation, Urban Beauty Thailand introduced the Adistem stem cell butt augmentation. A newly-popular procedure that women all around the world are undergoing is the Brazilian Butt Lift, which is fat grafting to the buttocks. Since there is no way for some people to add volume to their buttocks, even through daily exercise, the most suitable approach to obtaining fuller contours of the backside is this cosmetic treatment. Performed in a similar fashion to a natural breast augmentation with photo activated fat, the Brazilian butt lift includes the harvesting of fat using the Adistem proprietary medical procedure (mini liposuction), and photo activated fat injections into the buttocks, thus producing a lifted, rounder appearance.

The Adistem procedure is different from the Cell Assisted Lipotransfer or usually known as CAL. The PhotoActivation Technology has also been used for activating adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) for therapeutic and regenerative application since 2008. ASCs lie dormant within adipose tissue and it requires photoactivation for them to awaken and come into full functionality and begin self-renewal by cell division and formation of other cell types by differentiation and transdifferentiation. The very high volume of ASCs in adipose tissue means there is no need to culture in a laboratory for days to achieve therapeutic threshold i.e. therapeutic benefit. Harvesting ASCs is done through a simple, minimally invasive liposuction under local anesthesia. The process is relatively easy and painless and poses minimal risk to the patient. It is a single procedure in a sterile setting.

The procedures of the Urban Beauty Thailand Adistem Stem Cell Facelift, Breast Augmentation and Butt lift came from the US and practiced by the top surgeon in Thailand who is serving for almost 29 years and serving various celebrities and expats not just in Bangkok but all over the world.

Cost of Stem cell in Thailand is an important factor when considering Stem Cell surgery/ therapy. However the quality of stem cell Thailand is more important than the stem cell cost. If the ultimate goal of Stem cell Procedure is to have a happy patient, then the surgeon's expertise and experience are probably more important than the Stem Cell surgery price. Thats why the Urban Beauty Thailand is offering special price for stem cell services that s from 15,000 USD to 9,000 USD that covers the 29 years of expertise and services of the top surgeon in Thailand.

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Bangkok Stem Cell Fat Graft Face Lift, Natural Breast Augmentaion & Brazillian Butt Lift Thailand at Cost-Effective!

Adult Stem Cell Therapy Breakthrough Leads to Crowd Funding Campaign on Indiegogo.com for Centagen, Inc.

Centagen has developed a breakthrough stem cell therapy that rejuvenates a patient's own adult stem cells. The Company has found a way to expand a patients own stem cells in the lab millions of times while rejuvenating the cells. For example, a patients blood pleuropotent stem cells could be rejuvenated and expanded in the lab and then re-injected to repair and rejuvenate organs and tissues damaged by aging or disease. Centagen has announced a funding campaign at http://www.indiegogo.com/centagen for additonal research and development.

Boulder, Colorado (PRWEB) December 31, 2012

Each of us has a limited supply of the kind of stem cells needed to rebuild, repair, and rejuvenate any part of our body. As we age, the supply and healing power of our stem cells diminishes. By providing a practically unlimited supply of one's own rejuvenated stem cells, we may keep people young and healthy for well over a century. In particular, regenerating tissues and organs prepared by expanding ones own stem cells could help with Alzheimers disease, diabetes, immune senescence, damaged heart tissue, arteriosclerosis, failing kidneys, failing hearing or eyesight, osteoporosis, weak muscles, and aged skin.

The technology requires no genetic engineering of the stem cells, so the procedure is much safer than the current procedures requiring genetic tampering. Only a patients adult stem cells are used, so there are no ethical issues common with embryonic stem cell use or side effects due to tissue rejection by your immune system.

Centagen has recently opened a crowd funding bid at http://www.indiegogo.com/centagen in concert with Maximum Life foundation, whose mission is to make 100 years old the new 50.

Forward-Looking Statements for Centagen, Inc.

This press release contains several forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements reflect management's current expectations, as of the date of this press release, and involve certain risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include statements herein with respect to the successful execution of the Company's business strategy of stem cell therapeutics. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward- looking statements as a result of various factors and the Company's further development is highly dependent on future medical and research developments and market acceptance, which is outside of its control. The Company may not update these forward-looking statements in a timely manner as conditions change.

Bryant Villeponteau, Ph.D. Centagen (877) 757-1923 Email Information

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Adult Stem Cell Therapy Breakthrough Leads to Crowd Funding Campaign on Indiegogo.com for Centagen, Inc.

World Stem Cells Clinic announces newly constructed state-of-the art laboratory in Cancun

World Stem Cells Clinic's newly constructed state-of-the art laboratory at the Tulum Trade Center in Cancun. World Stem Cells Clinic's research, protocols and team approach, maximizes patient's benefits from stem cell treatments.

(PRWEB) December 27, 2012

World Stem Cells Clinic's research has developed the best protocols to maximize patients benefit from stem cell treatments, operating under the stringent guidelines as established by The International Cellular Medical Society (ICMS) and the US Federal Drug Administrations Good Tissue Practice (cGTP) regulations for pharmaceutical, biologics and clinical laboratories. World Stem Cells Clinic's strict adherence to these established guidelines and policies guarantees the highest quality of clinical care and stem cell treatment safety for you. The patients are enrolled in a United States open registry to track their changes independently, for up to 20 years.

The staff physicians at World Stem Cells Clinic are all board certified, in their field with years of experience. Dr. Sylvia Abblitt is a Board Certified Hematologist & Oncologist, her practice began in 1984 and is a member of the ICMS ( International Cellular Medical Society), with 20+ years in treating multiple types of diseases with stem cells. Dr. Alan Kadish both Allopathic and Naturopathic with 26 years as a primary care provider and has been an active participant in the Defeat Autism Now movement since the 1990's. Dr. Alan Kadish Continues yearly education, far exceeding the licensure requirements. Dr. Ceballos with 17+ years and receiving the Robins award in 1996 during his residency, then doing his internship, in pediatrics, at the General Hospital in Chetumal. Dr. Ceballos is looking forward to the potentials of the disease modification available through the use of stem cell therapy and participating in our research with his firm background in mathematics and statistics bringing a well rounded approach to disease evaluation to World Stem Cells Clinic's team. Established and knowledgeable the combined expertise of World Stem Cells Clinic's multiple specialists, allows for unique insights and protocol designs.

World Stem Cells Clinic treatment approach includes stimulation, prior to collection, processing and expansion of the cell along with the use of growth factors, together with an integrated medical approach. This maximizes the growth and implantation potentials yielding optimized potentials of making changes in your disease.

World Stem Cells Clinic does not perform one or two day treatments as it would not be medically sound and could not provide the benefits or safety that World Stem Cells Clinic treatment schedule gives (please do not be fooled). The patient's stem cell treatment at World Stem Cells Clinic takes 5 days to complete as their treatments are comprehensive and designed to maximize the benefits and safety derived from the process.

World Stem Cells, LLC efforts is making positive changes in their patients and family's lives and it is hoped that their research, team approach and the individual designed treatment protocols will continue to make a difference in the lives of their patients and their families.

Colleen Powers World Stem Cells, LLC (800)234-1693 Email Information

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World Stem Cells Clinic announces newly constructed state-of-the art laboratory in Cancun

Frank Farmer named to the Board Of Directors of World Stem Cell Institute, Inc. a 501 (c)(3) non-profit corporation …

Frank Farmer has come on board with World Stem Cell Institute, Inc. after his son Kell's stem cell treatment and was amazed at his son's progress. Frank has become an advocate for the use of Stem Cell Treatment(SCT) for other qualified children with ASD along with promoting and aiding World Stem Cell Institute, Inc. to complete clinical trials for preemie babies and other diseases.

Tampa, FL (PRWEB) December 27, 2012

Kell's video: http://www.youtube.com/embed/O7PSi7Qt5h8

Kell's story:http://worldstemcells.com/kell-stem-cell-treatment-for-autism.html

World Stem Cell Institute, Inc will educate the general public about stem cell and ethical use in general, diseases and potential benefit of a stem cell treatment through publishing an on-going research on stem cells clinical trials.

Frank Farmer said he is dedicated to promoting and aiding World Stem Cell Institute, Inc. to achieve its goals for 2013 to provide financial assistance to a minimum of 20 patients who would benefit from a stem cell treatment but do not have the funds required while undergoing a stem cell treatment, to complete clinical trials such as the Preemie clinical trial that would help prevent blindness and other disease in premature babies with the use of stem cells from the lab of World Stem Cells Clinic or other approved lab, ASD study and macular degeneration, fuch's disease, diabetic neuropathy and other eye related diseases clinical trials. The company will then publish the findings of the research in monthly new releases that will be made available to the general public, medical organizations and scientist all at the same time. For More--http://www.worldstemcellinstitute.com

Colleen Powers World Stem Cells, LLC (800)234-1693 Email Information

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Frank Farmer named to the Board Of Directors of World Stem Cell Institute, Inc. a 501 (c)(3) non-profit corporation ...

The Lives of Kell and Other Children with ASD are Changing Due to The Stem Cell Treatment They Received at the World …

The number of children diagnosed with ASD/Autism is on the rise. The good news is that thanks to the option of Autism treatment with stem cell therapy at World Stem Cells Clinic, parents are enjoying the substantial improvements they are seeing in their children with ASD/Autism.

Cancun, Mexico (PRWEB) December 24, 2012

Autism is a serious developmental problem appearing in early childhood. Before a child turns three-years-old, ASD/Autism can usually be detected. Symptoms seen and the severity of a childs Autism will vary. Autism affects the ability of a child to interact and communicate with others.

Sadly, there is not a cure for Autism, but intensive Autism treatment early on can make an enormous difference in the lives of children who have this disorder.

Children who have ASD/Autism have difficulty meeting some of the typical developmental milestones. These milestones include learning to use the washroom, as well as talking and interacting with others. Children with ASD also tend to perform repetitive body movements (stimming), which can make family outings a challenge.

Kell

The mother of a patient who received Stem Cells Treatment for Autism at the World Stem Cells Clinic details the numerous accomplishments that her son Kell continues to make following stem cell therapy.

Kells mother states that due to the stem cell therapy he received, a completely new environment exists inside Kells body. Kell is now focusing on objects and doing things that he has never done before.

Kell mastered drinking from a straw in just two days and then began drinking from a typical cup of his own accord. Kells mother states that she previously attempted to teach him this skill to no avail. She is ecstatic that he decided to complete this task on his own.

Before his stem cell therapy treatments, Kell would choose something in the store to stim with. Another common occurrence was Kell jumping around in a whirlwind of chaos. However, the most recent trip was different from those before it. Kell actually moved alongside the family while they shopped. Before his stem cell treatment, the family would drag him along and keep him from finding objects to stim with.

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The Lives of Kell and Other Children with ASD are Changing Due to The Stem Cell Treatment They Received at the World ...

OncoMed Pharmaceuticals Initiates Phase 1 Clinical Trial of Anti-Cancer Stem Cell Therapeutic OMP-52M51 (Anti-Notch1)

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

OncoMed Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a clinical-stage company developing novel therapeutics that target cancer stem cells (CSCs), or tumor-initiating cells, today announced that patient dosing has begun in a Phase 1 clinical trial of OMP-52M51 in patients with hematologic cancers. OMP-52M51 is OncoMeds fifth product candidate to enter clinical development. OMP-52M51 is a proprietary monoclonal antibody that targets the Notch1 receptor. Enrollment of the first patient in the Anti-Notch1 Phase 1 trial has triggered a $4 million milestone payment from the companys strategic collaborator GlaxoSmithKline (GSK).

The first Phase 1 clinical trial of OMP-52M51 is an open-label dose escalation and expansion study in patients with hematologic cancers. These patients are assessed for safety, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and initial evidence of efficacy, and the clinical trial will also assess a predictive biomarker-based patient selection approach. OncoMed also has filed an additional IND application with the FDA to evaluate this monoclonal antibody in patients with solid tumors.

The trial is being conducted at several sites in the United States including Sarah Cannon Research Institute (SCRI) in Nashville, Tennessee. According to Dr. Ian Flinn of SCRI, who treated the first patient with OMP-52M51, It is exciting to bring a novel antibody such as OMP-52M51 that targets the Notch pathway, a key cancer stem cell pathway, into the clinic. There is significant scientific evidence to suggest that Notch1 could be an important therapeutic target in hematological malignancies, and we look forward to generating clinical data that might help patients with these cancers. The biomarker strategy employed in this study is also quite innovative.

We continue to execute on our core strategy of discovering and advancing novel product candidates that target cancer stem cells, said Paul Hastings, President and Chief Executive Officer of OncoMed Pharmaceuticals. OncoMeds clinical pipeline is broad, and with the addition of this novel Anti-Notch1 antibody, we now have 5 product candidates in the clinic, several which are advancing towards Phase 2 testing. We have made significant progress in building and developing our pipeline, and we look forward to generating important clinical data across each of our product candidates now being tested in humans.

About OMP-52M51

OMP-52M51 is a humanized monoclonal antibody targeted to the Notch1 receptor that has shown substantial anti-tumor and anti-CSC activity in Notch-dependent hematologic malignancies and solid tumors in preclinical studies. Certain hematologic malignancies have mutations that increase Notch1 signaling activity and may be a primary driver of tumor growth, as well as resistance to chemotherapy. Predictive biomarker tests have been identified that enable analyses of potential predictive biomarkers in clinical trials for OMP-52M51 to identify those subsets of patients with certain hematologic malignancies or certain solid tumors that may benefit most from the product candidate. OMP-52M51 is part of OncoMeds strategic collaboration with GSK. In December 2007, OncoMed and GSK entered into a broad strategic alliance to discover and develop novel product candidates targeting CSCs via Notch pathway signaling modulation. GSK retains an option through the end of certain Phase 1 or certain Phase 2 clinical trials to obtain an exclusive license to OMP-52M51.

About Cancer Stem Cells

Cancer stem cells, or CSCs, are the subpopulation of cells in a tumor responsible for driving growth and metastasis of the tumor. CSCs, also known as tumor-initiating cells, exhibit certain properties which include the capacity to divide and give rise to new CSCs via a process called self-renewal and the capacity to differentiate or change into the other cells that form the bulk of the tumor. Common cancer drugs target bulk tumor cells but have limited impact on CSCs, thereby providing a path for recurrence of the tumor. OncoMeds product candidates target CSCs by blocking self-renewal and driving differentiation of CSCs toward a non-tumorigenic state, and also impact bulk tumor cells. OncoMed believes its product candidates are distinct from the current generations of chemotherapies and targeted therapies, and have the potential to significantly impact cancer treatment and the clinical outcome of patients with cancer.

About OncoMed Pharmaceuticals

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OncoMed Pharmaceuticals Initiates Phase 1 Clinical Trial of Anti-Cancer Stem Cell Therapeutic OMP-52M51 (Anti-Notch1)

Stemedica and Scripps to Jointly Investigate Therapeutic Effect of Ischemia Tolerant Mesenchymal Stem Cells (itMSC …

Stemedica Cell Technologies, Inc., a leading manufacturer of adult ischemia tolerant allogeneic stem cells and stem cell factors announced that the Company has signed an agreement with The Scripps Research Institute to investigate the role of Stemedicas ischemia tolerant human mesenchymal stem cells and stem cell factors as a therapy for severe lung injury and sepsis.

San Diego, CA (PRWEB) December 21, 2012

Acute Lung Injury (ALI) and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) are the most common causes of respiratory failure among critically ill patients. The mortality for this syndrome remains high at 30-40% and accounts for approximately 75,000 deaths per year. Severe bacterial pneumonia is the most common cause of ALI/ARDS and is frequently associated with septic shock. The only intervention for ALI/ARDS that has resulted in a mortality benefit is low tidal volume ventilation. Despite several attempts, there have been no pharmacological agents that have reduced the morbidity or mortality from ALI/ARDS. Furthermore, treatment of bacterial pneumonia is increasingly hampered by the rapid spread of multi-drug resistant bacteria and the lack of new antimicrobial agents to treat them. Therefore, given the large public health impact of severe bacterial pneumonia and ALI/ARDS, novel therapies are needed to address this common and growing clinical problem.

Bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are an emerging form of cell-based therapy that have been increasingly studied in experimental models of lung injury and sepsis. Experimental studies have shown that murine MSCs can improve survival, reduce lung injury, and enhance bacterial clearance in clinically relevant models of bacterial pneumonia in mice. These beneficial effects have also been achieved using human MSCs in an ex-vivo human lung model of ALI.

Naveen Gupta, MD, Assistant Professor of Molecular and Experimental Medicine and Principal Investigator at The Scripps Research Institute, has authored and co-authored a number of publications in peer-reviewed journals in this field. He commented that, This project will investigate the therapeutic effects of Stemedicas ischemia tolerant MSCs in experimental lung injury and sepsis. Specifically, it will determine the optimal route, dose and timing of cell delivery in an E. coli pneumonia model. In addition, studies will be done using purified soluble factors secreted by the stem cells to determine whether a therapeutic effect comparable to using live MSCs can be achieved. Dr. Gupta continued: Given Stemedica's expertise in the field of developing MSC-based clinical therapies and the scientific and clinical expertise in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine present at Scripps, I believe that this will be a mutually beneficial and productive collaboration that may have important implications in how cell based therapy is applied to critically ill patients.

Nikolai Tankovich, M.D., Ph.D., President and Chief Medical Officer of Stemedica noted, One of the great advantages of using Stemedicas cGMP produced, FDB licensed (Food & Drug Branch of the California Department of Public Health) stem cells is that they have already been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in a variety of clinical trials. The same cGMP manufactured cell can be used in all phases of the approval process from preclinical through clinical trials and ultimately to commercialization. This will contribute significantly to accelerating the process from benchtop to bedside.

Maynard Howe, Ph.D., Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Stemedica commented, We are pleased to be working with a renowned organization like Scripps to advance treatment for this critical condition. The goals of our organizations are aligned--we strive to save lives--and one of the most meaningful ways we can do this is to stem mortality from ARDS.

About The Scripps Research Institute

The Scripps Research Institute is one of the world's largest independent, not-for-profit organizations focusing on research in the biomedical sciences. Over the past decades, TSRI has developed a lengthy track record of major contributions to science and health, including laying the foundation for new treatments for cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, hemophilia, and other diseases. The institute employs about 3,000 people on its campuses in La Jolla, CA, and Jupiter, FL, where its renowned scientists (including three Nobel laureates) work toward their next discoveries. The institute's graduate program, which awards Ph.D. degrees in biology and chemistry, ranks among the top ten of its kind in the nation. For more information, see http://www.scripps.edu.

About Stemedica Cell Technologies, Inc.

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Stemedica and Scripps to Jointly Investigate Therapeutic Effect of Ischemia Tolerant Mesenchymal Stem Cells (itMSC ...