These comprise a small group of passive stem cells -quiescent- that are activated when needed and have the capacity … – Science Daily

Science Daily

These comprise a small group of passive stem cells -quiescent- that are activated when needed and have the capacity ... Science Daily Researchers at the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona) headed by ICREA investigator Eduard Batlle, head of the Colorectal Cancer Laboratory, have discovered a new group of intestinal stem cells with very different characteristics to ... Nature Cell Started Commercial Clinical Trials Phase I and II 'ASTROSTEM,' Stem Cell Drug for Alzheimer's Disease ...Business Wire (press release) Targeting cancer stem cells improves treatment effectiveness and prevents metastasisMedical Xpress LifeCell launches community stem cell bankHindu Business Line all 15 news articles »

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These comprise a small group of passive stem cells -quiescent- that are activated when needed and have the capacity ... - Science Daily

Targeting cancer stem cells improves treatment effectiveness, prevents metastasis – Science Daily

Science Daily

Targeting cancer stem cells improves treatment effectiveness, prevents metastasis Science Daily Wang's research is published online in the peer-reviewed journal Cell Stem Cell. Cancer stem cells are known to be responsible for tumor formation and development; they also self-renew and tend to be unresponsive to cancer therapy. These cells have ... Nature Cell Started Commercial Clinical Trials Phase I and II 'ASTROSTEM,' Stem Cell Drug for Alzheimer's Disease ...Business Wire (press release) The intestine has a reservoir of stem cells that are resistant to chemotherapyPhys.Org Stem Cell Therapy Market to Witness Robust Expansion Throughout ...Medgadget (blog) Hindu Business Line -Science Times all 15 news articles »

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Targeting cancer stem cells improves treatment effectiveness, prevents metastasis - Science Daily

Nature Cell Started Commercial Clinical Trials Phase I and II ‘ASTROSTEM,’ Stem Cell Drug for Alzheimer’s Disease … – Business Wire (press release)

SEOUL, South Korea--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Biotechnology enterprise Nature Cell (KOSDAQ:007390) announced that it had started to recruit patients for its clinical trials of ASTROSTEM, a stem cell drug for Alzheimer's disease treatment, in the U.S.

The phase I and II clinical trials regarding Alzheimer's disease were approved by the U.S. FDA on November 24th, 2016. In February 2017, IRB approval was obtained regarding the clinical trial protocol and on March 8th, 2017, IRB final approval was obtained regarding Syrentis Clinical Research and ATP Clinical for the two hospitals in the U.S. which will act as institutions to conduct the clinical trial, meaning that all of the authorization processes were finalized and the recruitment of patients could finally be started.

Biostar Stem Cell Research Institute (Director: Jeong-chan Ra), which is co-operated by Nature Cell and R Bio, has developed a technology for culturing autologous fat stem cells. The institute has invested more than KRW 300 billion in its research and development efforts over the last 10 years, allowing it to develop stem cell drugs for intractable disease treatments through regeneration of blood vessels, cartilage and neurons.

Biostar institute has already succeeded in its clinical trial regarding Buerger's disease and Romberg's disease. The results of the clinical trials for JOINTSTEM, which is a degenerative arthritis stem cell therapy product, were released in the world-renowned academic journal Stem Cell. Recently, commercial clinical trial phase 2B was successfully completed. It could be put forward for new drug approval from the KFDA. In the U.S, the institute has already obtained phase II commercial trial regarding JOINTSTEM from the FDA, and a clinical trial regarding the product has been ongoing.

By continuously accumulating research results, Biostar Stem Cell Research Institute has developed special stem cells technology, allowing them to be used to treat Alzheimers disease by administering stem cells intravenously ten times (200 million cells/1 time). The initiation of commercial clinical trials in the U.S. regarding Alzheimers disease is expected to become a new milestone for Biostar Stem Cell Research Institutes development of stem cell drug products.

Through clinical trials to be conducted in the U.S., it is expected that the technology for administering stem cells intravenously multiple times will become the world standard technology.

The representative remedy for Alzheimer's disease has been medicine with Donepezil HCI, which slows down symptoms. ASTROSTEM not only slows down symptoms of Alzheimers disease but may also reverse functions for good quality of life, allowing it to be greatly differentiated from existing remedies.

The clinical trials will be conducted at Syrentis Clinical Research and ATP Clinical Research located in California, a hospital in Hawaii will also conduct clinical trials.

Jeong-chan Ra, the director of Biostar Stem Cell Research Institute and leader of the clinical trial on Alzheimer's disease, said, Autologous stem cells are very different in terms of their effects and safety, according to the culturing technology. We expect that ASTROSTEM, which was manufactured with the new and innovative stem cell technology developed in 2015, will demonstrate safety and effects for Alzheimer's disease treatment.

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Nature Cell Started Commercial Clinical Trials Phase I and II 'ASTROSTEM,' Stem Cell Drug for Alzheimer's Disease ... - Business Wire (press release)

Kansas Stem Cell Center Close To First Clinical Trial – KMUW

An adult stem cell center established by the Kansas Legislature in 2013 is almost ready for its first clinical trial.

Buddhadeb Dawn, executive director of the Midwest Stem Cell Therapy Center, told legislators Tuesday that the trial will focus on treating graft-versus-host disease and will begin after final approvals from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Our goal was to do this (trial) in January, but we got delayed because of different things, Dawn said during a hearing of the House Health and Human Services Committee. So we are now hoping to start it perhaps in summer.

Based at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, the stem cell center has analyzed trials done elsewhere and hosted a clinical trial sponsored by a biotech company that uses modified stem cells from bone marrow to treat stroke.

But the graft-versus-host disease trial would be the first homegrown one.

Graft-versus-host disease is a potential complication when a patient receives a transplant of tissue, like an organ or bone marrow, from another person.

The disease occurs when transplanted tissue fights the patients natural immune system, potentially damaging the liver, skin or other areas. Its a rare illness, with about 20,000 cases in the United States each year.

Rep. Randy Powell, a Republican from Olathe, said the trial was a welcome and exciting development. He said his wife is at risk for the illness following treatment for leukemia.

I know that graft-versus-host is a big thing, Powell said. I think my wife still has an annual checkup where they keep their eye out (to make sure) thats not sticking its head up and causing issues.

Dawn said the center would like to take the next step and move into clinical trials using adult stem cells to treat things like joint ailments, diabetes and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrigs disease.

But the regulatory process takes time.

Wed like to be able to offer a portfolio of different disease conditions that adult stem cells can benefit, Dawn said. Im hoping that within the next five years we would at least have some FDA approval for treatment with adult stem cells for other conditions.

Dawn said successful trials could lead to more private investment dollars so we are self-sustaining at some point in the future.

The centers reliance on state funds has been a point of contention for fiscally conservative legislators in the past. Most of the facilitys budget still comes from the states payment, which was reduced by about $28,000 to $754,500 last year.

Thats far less than what stem cell research facilities in other states receive.

Doug Girod, executive vice president of the KU medical center, said that given the budget, Dawn and his small team have done remarkable work.

We could be 10 times bigger than we are and doing 10 times as much if we had the resources, Girod said. But I think were maximizing every opportunity we can with what we have right now.

The center was spearheaded by socially conservative legislators, including Sen. Mary Pilcher-Cook, to showcase adult stem cell research as an alternative to using stem cells derived from human embryos.

About $56,000 of its annual budget goes to educating the public about the differences between embryonic stem cells and adult cells and hosting an annual conference about advances in adult stem cell treatment.

Rep. John Wilson, a Democrat from Lawrence, said he initially was skeptical about the facility because he thought the Legislature was inserting itself into a religious or philosophical fight. But he said his attitude has changed.

Im glad that despite my opposition to it the state has gone forward with funding some really terrific research, Wilson said. My concern now is how do we take it to the next level so all of this hasnt been for nothing.

Andy Marso is a reporter for KMUW's Kansas News Service, a collaboration of KMUW, Kansas Public Radio and KCUR covering health, education and politics in Kansas. You can reach him on Twitter@andymarso.

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Kansas Stem Cell Center Close To First Clinical Trial - KMUW

Kansas Stem Cell Center Close To First Clinical Trial – KCUR

An adult stem cell center established by the Kansas Legislature in 2013 is almost ready for its first clinical trial.

Buddhadeb Dawn, executive director of the Midwest Stem Cell Therapy Center, told legislators Tuesday that the trial will focus on treating graft-versus-host disease and will begin after final approvals from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Our goal was to do this (trial) in January, but we got delayed because of different things, Dawn said during a hearing of the House Health and Human Services Committee. So we are now hoping to start it perhaps in summer.

Based at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, the stem cell center has analyzed trials done elsewhere and hosted a clinical trial sponsored by a biotech company that uses modified stem cells from bone marrow to treat stroke.

But the graft-versus-host disease trial would be the first homegrown one.

Download the Midwest Stem Cell Therapy Center annual update to legislators.

Graft-versus-host disease is a potential complication when a patient receives a transplant of tissue, like an organ or bone marrow, from another person.

The disease occurs when transplanted tissue fights the patients natural immune system, potentially damaging the liver, skin or other areas. Its a rare illness, with about 20,000 cases in the United States each year.

Rep. Randy Powell, a Republican from Olathe, said the trial was a welcome and exciting development. He said his wife is at risk for the illness following treatment for leukemia.

I know that graft-versus-host is a big thing, Powell said. I think my wife still has an annual checkup where they keep their eye out (to make sure) thats not sticking its head up and causing issues.

Dawn said the center would like to take the next step and move into clinical trials using adult stem cells to treat things like joint ailments, diabetes and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrigs disease.

But the regulatory process takes time.

Wed like to be able to offer a portfolio of different disease conditions that adult stem cells can benefit, Dawn said. Im hoping that within the next five years we would at least have some FDA approval for treatment with adult stem cells for other conditions.

Dawn said successful trials could lead to more private investment dollars so we are self-sustaining at some point in the future.

The centers reliance on state funds has been a point of contention for fiscally conservative legislators in the past. Most of the facilitys budget still comes from the states payment, which was reduced by about $28,000 to $754,500 last year.

Were maximizing every opportunity we can with what we have right now.

Thats far less than what stem cell research facilities in other states receive.

Doug Girod, executive vice president of the KU medical center, said that given the budget, Dawn and his small team have done remarkable work.

We could be 10 times bigger than we are and doing 10 times as much if we had the resources, Girod said. But I think were maximizing every opportunity we can with what we have right now.

The center was spearheaded by socially conservative legislators, including Sen. Mary Pilcher-Cook, to showcase adult stem cell research as an alternative to using stem cells derived from human embryos.

About $56,000 of its annual budget goes to educating the public about the differences between embryonic stem cells and adult cells and hosting an annual conference about advances in adult stem cell treatment.

Rep. John Wilson, a Democrat from Lawrence, said he initially was skeptical about the facility because he thought the Legislature was inserting itself into a religious or philosophical fight. But he said his attitude has changed.

Im glad that despite my opposition to it the state has gone forward with funding some really terrific research, Wilson said. My concern now is how do we take it to the next level so all of this hasnt been for nothing.

Andy Marso is a reporter for the Kansas News Service, a collaboration of KCUR, Kansas Public Radio and KMUW covering health, education and politics in Kansas. You can reach him on Twitter@andymarso. Kansas News Service stories and photos may be republished at no cost with proper attribution and a link back to kcur.org.

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Mountain News: Clinic advances stem-cell research | Mountain … – Pique Newsmagazine

VAIL, Colo. In 1988, George Gillett, who then owned what has become Vail Resorts, persuaded Dr. Richard Steadman to relocate his medical practice from Lake Tahoe to Vail. The Steadman Clinic soon became the go-to-place for athletes with knee and other joint problems.

It still is. Football quarterback Tom Brady has been there, soccer icon Pele and basketball power Yao Ming. Plus John Elway, Mario Lemieux, and Alex Rodriguez. Big names from the ski world, obviously. But also the drummer for the rock band U2, Larry Mullen, Jr.

Now, the clinic will be getting a new, 2,415-square-metre research lab courtesy of the Vail Valley Medical Center. The US$68 million facility will house the Steadman Philippon Research Institute's labs for surgical skills, robotics, regenerative medicine, and bio-motion. The clinic and associated research institute together employ 190 people.

Research being conducted there is getting attention. A recent report in The Denver Post by staff writer John Meyer suggests you may have a stake in the work at the base of Vail Mountain. The story focused on the work of Dr. Johnny Huard, the chief scientific officer and director of the Center for Regenerative Sports Medicine.

Huard is trying to advance the techniques that allow people to heal more rapidly. The field is called biologics. Cells from the patient's own body are used in concentrated injections to hasten repair of tissue at the site of the injury.

Stem cells and platelet-rich plasma therapy will someday delay age-related diseases and cut the recovery time from serious injuries.

"I don't think we can reverse aging, but I think we can age better and recover from injury better," said Dr. Marc Philippon, managing partner of the Steadman Clinic.

"As a surgeon, my biggest challenge is, if I cut on you there's always that healing phase. We want you to recover faster. But the most important thing is prevention of injury. If your cells are aging better, you'll have less injury."

Before moving to Vail two years ago, Huard directed the Stem Cell Research Center at the University of Pittsburgh. In Vail, the researchers think injections of stem cells and PRP can help delay or prevent the need for joint replacements. At the adjacent Steadman Clinic, they can test the theories in clinical trials. Animal studies have already shown that young stem cells can rejuvenate old stem cells.

Huard advocates passionately harvesting stem cells from the umbilical cord of a newborn, freezing them at -80 degrees Fahrenheit (-62 C). Those cells can later be thawed and reintroduced into the body as younger and more robust stem cells than the ones that have aged in the patient.

An athlete who blows out an anterior cruciate ligament in training camp currently loses a full year. Being able to return to play sooner could dramatically change the recovery time for injuries.

As good as dead, skier survives a heart attack

JACKSON, Wyo. Imagine having a heart-attack in the backcountry. Just what do you think your odds are?

Mike Connolly, 61, was skiing on a ridge of Maverick Peak, in Grand Teton National Park, when he reported chest pains. Because they had cell phones, members of his party were able to summon help. A helicopter with three members of the Teton County Search and Rescue was dispatched.

At the scene, Connolly went into cardiac arrest. He ceased breathing and he had no pulse. Members of his group began cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Then rescuers arrived with an automated defibrillator. They shocked Connolly once, and he regained a pulse and began breathing again. A short time later, he was able to verbally communicate with those around him.

Uber drivers now ply roads

JACKSON, Wyo. Because of new state legislation, Uber and Lyft are now allowed to operate in Wyoming. Uber took just hours after the bill was signed before opening its car doors for business in Jackson Hole, reported the News&Guide.

Uber drivers must have valid licences, registration, proof of insurance, and a passing grade on an online safety screening. Uber allows drivers to use their own cars or commercially licensed vehicles.

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Mountain News: Clinic advances stem-cell research | Mountain ... - Pique Newsmagazine

Researchers Study Cure for Type 1 Diabetes in Stem Cell Transplantations – Business Wire (press release)

DUARTE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Some type 1 diabetes (T1D) patients can be cured from the disease, at least for a number of years, with a stem cell transplant those were the results of a clinical trial monitored by City of Hopes Bart Roep, Ph.D., the Chan Soon-Shiong Shapiro Distinguished Chair in Diabetes and professor/founding chair, Department of Diabetes Immunology. The results were published recently in the journal, Frontiers in Immunology.

This means we can cure type 1 diabetes, be it with a risky therapy although one that is also very successful in cancer, and one for which City of Hope is a world-renowned expert, with more than 13,000 patients having received similar treatment for blood cancers, said Roep, director of The Wanek Family Project for Type 1 Diabetes, which aims to find a cure for T1D in six years. We now understand stem cell transplants can succeed in treating diabetes for some, but not in others, and we can predict either outcome before the therapy is administered by reading the immune signature of the patient with a novel nanotechnology that I developed.

An international team of researchers, including Roep, conducted the trial in Brazil. It showed that autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT), which uses a persons own stem cells, increases C-peptide levels that show how much insulin is being made by the pancreas and induces insulin independence in patients with T1D. This is possible because the transplanted stem cells are able to balance the immune system. The study also aimed to understand why some patients saw long-term clinical benefit from the transplantation while others did not.

Twenty-one T1D patients who received AHSCT were monitored and assessed every six months. Most patients became insulin free for an average of 3.5 years after transplantation, and C-peptide levels remained higher than initial values for at least four years post-AHSCT, indicating temporary immunological balance and preservation of insulin-secreting beta cells.

One patient is free of insulin for more than eight years now, without any major side effects, Roep said. But he also points out that some participants had little to no benefit. However, we discovered the immune signature predicting these outcomes either favorable or not which is the first step toward personalized medicine in type 1 diabetes. We have a foot in the door.

Because stem cell transplants involve severe immunosuppression prior to transplantation, the procedure is risky and will unlikely become the first line of defense for T1D, Roep added. However, the lessons learned from this and other trials will inform new paths for potential treatments.

The trials findings will aid in the development of new strategies of AHSCT that could lead to even better outcomes for more patients, and will guide future research protocols on immunotherapies for T1D.

This study paves the way for personalized therapy in type 1 diabetes, Roep said. Understanding why it sometimes fails will allow us to design new treatment strategies for those less fortunate patients. Also, it is the first definitive proof that T1D can be cured.

The work described in the Frontiers in Immunology paper was also supported by the So Paulo Research Foundation. The paper is titled Immunological Balance is Associated with Clinical Outcome after Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Type 1 Diabetes.

About City of Hope

City of Hope is an independent research and treatment center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases. Designated as one of only 47 comprehensive cancer centers, the highest recognition bestowed by the National Cancer Institute, City of Hope is also a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, with research and treatment protocols that advance care throughout the world. City of Hope is located in Duarte, California, just northeast of Los Angeles, with communityclinics throughout Southern California. It is ranked as one of "Americas Best Hospitals" in cancer by U.S. News & World Report. Founded in 1913, City of Hope is a pioneer in the fields of bonemarrowtransplantation, diabetes and numerous breakthrough cancer drugs based on technology developed at the institution. For more information about City of Hope, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or Instagram.

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Researchers Study Cure for Type 1 Diabetes in Stem Cell Transplantations - Business Wire (press release)

Cynata Therapeutics talks stem cell research at Proactive’s CEO Sessions – Proactive Investors Australia

Find out more from Dr Ross Macdonald at Proactive's CEO Sessions.

Cynata Therapeutics (ASX:CYP) is a stem cell and regenerative medicine company that is developing a therapeutic stem cell platform technology, Cymerus.

The technology addresses a critical shortcoming in existing methods of production of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for therapeutic use.

Cynata is now in a transition to a clinical stage company.

Earlier this year Cynata announced a breakthrough strategic partnership agreement with Fujifilm which included the Japanese company investing in Cynata to become the largest shareholder in the company.

Find out more from Dr Ross Macdonald at Proactive's CEO Sessions.

Click on city below to register by email

- Sydney: Tuesday 14th March. - Melbourne: Wednesday 15th March. - Email Pauline here. - Call office on (02) 9280 0700.

Presenter list

- Legend Mining (ASX:LEG): Mark Wilson. - Cynata Therapeutics (ASX:CYP): Dr Ross Macdonald. - White Cliff Minerals (ASX:WCN): Todd Hibberd. - Bluechiip (ASX:BCT): Andrew McLellan.

Register here to be notified of future CYP Company articles

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Cynata Therapeutics talks stem cell research at Proactive's CEO Sessions - Proactive Investors Australia

Opinion/Commentary: Global stem cell therapy market to showcase growth – The Daily Progress

LONDON Technavio analysts forecast the global stem cell therapy market to grow at a compound annual growth rate of close to 37 percent during the forecast period, according to their latest report.

The research study covers the present scenario and growth prospects of the global stem cell therapy market for 2017-2021. To determine the market size, the study considers revenue generated from allogenic and autogenic stem cell therapies.

The Americas are the largest regional segment of the global stem cell therapy market, responsible for generating over 56 percent of the total revenue (2016 figures). The region is expected to continue market dominance through the forecast period, driven by increasing demand for stem cell therapy products and investments into R&D.

Technavio analysts highlight the following factors as contributing to the growth of the global stem cell therapy market:

Increase in federal funding in stem cell therapy.

Sapna Jha, one of the lead research analysts at Technavio for medical imaging research, says, Many stem cell research institutes and small companies are involved in cutting-edge R&D and are yielding encouraging results. These institutions are witnessing an increased flow of investments from federal organizations, due to the realization of the importance of regenerative medicine.

The U.S. National Institutes of Health, a major funding government organization invested approximately USD 1.5 billion in stem cell research projects in 2016. Similarly, several state-level organizations such as California Institute for Regenerative Medicine has contributed USD 3 billion to stem cell research in 2014. Such funding will help various research institutes to discover and develop regenerative medicines, which will boost the global regenerative medicine market enormously.

Growing demand for personalized medicine.

The health care sector is creating a high demand for personalized medicine, which could offer game-changing opportunities for the vendors. These medicines offer treatments based on the individual characteristics, needs, and preferences, which will vastly improve the quality of health care. Individuals are increasingly banking their stem cells for future treatments. Research organizations are also extensively exploring ways to develop personalized treatments with stem cells, which could eventually erase the conventional medicine system and help in the effective treatment of various diseases such as diabetes and cancer.

Demand for development of effective drugs for cardiology and degenerative disorders.

There has been an increased demand to develop effective drugs for cardiology and degenerative disorders, for which there were no effective treatment plans before the advent of stem therapies. The discovery of possible cardiac stem cells uncovered new arenas to repair hearts injured due to acute myocardial infarction or coronary artery disease, says Sapna.

Researchers are studying and developing approximately 19 product candidates for the treatment of cardiac disorders, with eight of them in Phase III, and six in Phase II.

Technavio is a global technology research and advisory company. This report was made available through The Associated Press.

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Opinion/Commentary: Global stem cell therapy market to showcase growth - The Daily Progress

Stem cell: Knee arthritis in new $33 million research plan – Capitol Weekly

News

by DAVID JENSEN posted 03.02.2017

The California stem cell agency this week approved nearly $33 million for clinical stage research projects testing treatments for type 1 diabetes, arthritis of the knee, ALS and an immunodeficiency affliction.

The awards were quickly approved with little discussion during a meeting at the Oakland headquarters of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine or CIRM, as the agency is formally known.

The goal of the research is to regenerate knee cartilage through the use of a mesenchymal progenitor cell treatment, according to the agencys application review summary

The award likely to have an impact on the most people if it is successful is a relatively small, $2.3 million award to the Cellular Biomedicine Group, a Chinese firm with operations in Cupertino, Calif. The stem cell agency by law only finances work in Clifornia. The research would also be supported by $572,993 in co-funding.

The project is aimed at treating osteoarthritis of the knee. More than 51 million people in the United States suffer from arthritis, which is particularly common in the knee.

The goal of the research is to regenerate knee cartilage through the use of a mesenchymal progenitor cell treatment, according to the agencys application review summary. The funding would go to manufacture the product and complete work to secure Food and Drug Administration approval for a phase one safety trial. A treatment for the public would likely be years in the future.

Here are the other winners today of California stem cell cash with links to the summaries of the reviews.

Caladrius Biosciences of New Jersey won $12.2 million for a clinical trial for young people ages 12-17 for newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes. The firm plans to use regulatory T cells from the patients themselves to treat the disease. Caladrius has a California location in Mountain View. (Caladrius press release can be found here.)

St. Judes Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., was awarded $11.9 million for a phase one/two trial to treat infants with X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency. The trial would aim at enrolling at least six patients suffering from the catastrophic affliction. The treatment would use the patients own bone marrow stem cells after the cells were specially handled. The agency said in a press release that St. Judes is working with UC San Francisco. (St. Judes press release can be found here.)

The awards were previously approved behind closed doors by the agencys out-of-state reviewers, who do not disclose publicly their economic or professional interests.

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles was awarded $6.2 million for a phase 1/2A trial to test a treatment for ALS, which has no treatment or cure. The CIRM review summary said a huge unmet need existed. About 20,000 persons in the United States suffer from the affliction.

CIRMs press release did not identify the researchers involved in any of the awards.

The agency is on a push to support more clinical trials, which are the last and most expensive research prior to the possibility of winning federal approval for widespread use of a therapy.

Currently the agency is participating in 27 trials and is planning on adding 37 more in the next 40 months. The agency is expected to run out of funds for new awards in June 2020 and has no source of future financing.

The awards were previously approved behind closed doors by the agencys out-of-state reviewers, who do not disclose publicly their economic or professional interests. The agencys directors rarely overturn a positive decision by the reviewers.

All of the winners have links to two or more members of the 29-member CIRM governing board. Those members are not allowed to vote on applications where they have conflicts of interest.

About 90 percent of the funds awarded by the board since 2005 have gone to institutions that have ties to members of the board, past or present, according to calculations by the California Stem Cell Report. Eds Note: David Jensen is a retired newsman who has followed the affairs of the $3 billion California stem cell agency since 2005 via his blog, the California Stem Cell Report, where this story first appeared. He has published more than 4,000 items on California stem cell matters in the past 11 years.

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Stem cell: Knee arthritis in new $33 million research plan - Capitol Weekly