Mustang Bio Reports Full-Year 2019 Financial Results and Recent Corporate Highlights – Yahoo Finance

NEW YORK, March 16, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mustang Bio, Inc. (Mustang) (MBIO), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on translating todays medical breakthroughs in cell and gene therapies into potential cures for hematologic cancers, solid tumors and rare genetic diseases, today announced financial results and recent corporate highlights for the full year ended December 31, 2019.

Manuel Litchman, M.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Mustang, said, We are delighted by Mustangs numerous accomplishments in 2019. We started off the year by executing a worldwide license agreement with Nationwide Childrens Hospital to develop MB-108, oncolytic virus C134, for the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme. In April, we announced the exciting New England Journal of Medicine publication of positive Phase 1/2 data from our partner, St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital (St. Jude), which demonstrated the curative potential of MB-107, a lentiviral gene therapy for X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency (XSCID), also known as bubble boy disease. We plan to transfer the MB-107 Investigational New Drug (IND) application from St. Jude to Mustang shortly. In August, the FDA accepted our first IND application to initiate a multi-center Phase 1/2 clinical trial of MB-102 (CD123-targeted CAR T cell therapy) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) and high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome. We look forward to dosing our first patient soon, using MB-102 processed at our own cell processing facility.

Dr. Litchman continued, In 2019, we were also pleased that the FDA granted prestigious designations to our drug candidates, including the Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy (RMAT) designation to MB-107 and Orphan Drug Designations to MB-108 for the treatment of malignant glioma and to MB-102 for the treatment of AML. In addition, several Phase 1 trials were initiated with our collaborators during the year, including the MB-104 (CS1-targeted CAR T cell therapy) trial at City of Hope for multiple myeloma, the MB-105 (PSCAtargeted CAR T cell therapy) trial at City of Hope for the treatment of prostate cancer, the MB-103 (HER2-targeted CAR T cell therapy) trial at City of Hope for the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme and of HER2-positive breast cancer with brain metastases, the MB-101 (IL13R2-targeted CAR T cell therapy) trial at City of Hope in combination with checkpoint inhibitors for the treatment of recurrent malignant glioma, and the MB-108, oncolytic virus C134, trial for the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Dr. Litchman concluded, Mustang raised a total of $69 million throughout 2019, which enables us to continue to advance our gene and CAR T cell therapy programs. We look forward to maintaining this positive momentum through 2020, including several important data readouts anticipated in the second half of the year.

Financial Results:

2019 and Recent Corporate Highlights:

About Mustang BioMustang Bio, Inc. (Mustang) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on translating todays medical breakthroughs in cell and gene therapies into potential cures for hematologic cancers, solid tumors and rare genetic diseases. Mustang aims to acquire rights to these technologies by licensing or otherwise acquiring an ownership interest, to fund research and development, and to outlicense or bring the technologies to market. Mustang has partnered with top medical institutions to advance the development of CAR T therapies across multiple cancers, as well as a lentiviral gene therapy for XSCID. Mustang is registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and files periodic reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Mustang was founded by Fortress Biotech, Inc. (FBIO). For more information, visit http://www.mustangbio.com.

ForwardLooking StatementsThis press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each as amended. Such statements include, but are not limited to, any statements relating to our growth strategy and product development programs and any other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are based on managements current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could negatively affect our business, operating results, financial condition and stock value. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated include: risks relating to our growth strategy; our ability to obtain, perform under and maintain financing and strategic agreements and relationships; risks relating to the results of research and development activities; risks relating to the timing of starting and completing clinical trials; uncertainties relating to preclinical and clinical testing; our dependence on third-party suppliers; our ability to attract, integrate and retain key personnel; the early stage of products under development; our need for substantial additional funds; government regulation; patent and intellectual property matters; competition; as well as other risks described in our SEC filings. We expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in our expectations or any changes in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law.

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Company Contacts:Jaclyn Jaffe and William BegienMustang Bio, Inc.(781) 652-4500ir@mustangbio.com

Investor Relations Contact:Daniel FerryLifeSci Advisors, LLC(617) 430-7576daniel@lifesciadvisors.com

Media Relations Contact:Tony Plohoros6 Degrees(908) 591-2839tplohoros@6degreespr.com

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Mustang Bio Reports Full-Year 2019 Financial Results and Recent Corporate Highlights - Yahoo Finance

How Skin Cells Prepare To Heal Wounds – Technology Networks

A team of University of California, Irvine researchers have published the first comprehensive overview of the major changes that occur in mammalian skin cells as they prepare to heal wounds. Results from the study provide a blueprint for future investigation into pathological conditions associated with poor wound healing, such as in diabetic patients.

"This study is the first comprehensive dissection of the major changes in cellular heterogeneity from a normal state to wound healing in skin," said Xing Dai, PhD, a professor of biological chemistry and dermatology in the UCI School of Medicine, and senior author. "This work also showcases the collaborative efforts between biologists, mathematician and physicists at UCI, with support from the National Institute of Arthritis & Musculoskeletal & Skin Diseases-funded UCI Skin Biology Resource-based Center and the NSF-Simons Center for Multiscale Cell Fate Research.

The study, titled, "Defining epidermal basal cell states during skin homeostasis and wound healing using single-cell transcriptomics," was published this week in Cell Reports.

"Our research uncovered at least four distinct transcriptional states in the epidermal basal layer as part of a 'hierarchical-lineage' model of the epidermal homeostasis, or stable state of the skin, clarifying a long-term debate in the skin stem cell field," said Dai.

Using single-cell RNA sequencing coupled with RNAScope and fluorescence lifetime imaging, the team identified three non-proliferative and one proliferative basal cell state in homeostatic skin that differ in metabolic preference and become spatially partitioned during wound re-epithelialization, which is the process by which the skin and mucous membranes replace superficial epithelial cells damaged or lost in a wound.

Epithelial tissue maintenance is driven by resident stem cells, the proliferation and differentiation dynamics of which need to be tailored to the tissue's homeostatic and regenerative needs. However, our understanding of tissue-specific cellular dynamics in vivo at single-cell and tissue scales is often very limited.

"Our study lays a foundation for future investigation into the adult epidermis, specifically how the skin is maintained and how it can robustly regenerate itself upon injury," said Dai.

Reference:Haensel, D., Jin, S., Sun, P., Cinco, R., Dragan, M., Nguyen, Q., Dai, X. (2020). Defining Epidermal Basal Cell States during Skin Homeostasis and Wound Healing Using Single-Cell Transcriptomics. Cell Reports, 30(11), 3932-3947.e6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2020.02.091

This article has been republished from the following materials. Note: material may have been edited for length and content. For further information, please contact the cited source.

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How Skin Cells Prepare To Heal Wounds - Technology Networks

Physicians Education Resource to Host Live CME Webcast on COVID-19 and Cancer Care – Yahoo Finance

PER is partnering with OncLive for audience generation to ensure all oncologists receive critical information when managing patients with cancer amid this global pandemic

Physicians Education Resource (PER), a leading resource for continuing medical education, in partnership with OncLive for audience generation, will host a live CME-certified 1 hour webcast titled "COVID-19 in Cancer Care: What Oncologists Need to Know Today" that will take place on Monday, March 23, at 8 p.m. EST.

"As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to grow, the care of patients with cancer remains an area of tremendous concern," said Phil Talamo, president of PER. "At its heart, CME is about sharing best practices and expertise to improve patient outcomes, and now is a time where this is more critical then ever. As a leader in oncology education, we feel it is PERs responsibility to quickly host this activity so oncologists can treat patients better at the front line. And we are proud to partner with OncLive, a leading voice in the oncology community, to reach every oncologist."

With nearly 200,000 confirmed cases in the world, according to the World Health Organization as of March 18, the novel coronavirus is a rapidly evolving public health threat. Oncologists are looking for fast, accurate information and guidance to best care for the oncology patients during this pandemic. The webcast will discuss the risk of infection with the coronavirus and severity of illness with COVID-19 across the populations of patients with hematologic and solid tumor malignancies, identify optimal protocols for cancer facilities, in both the inpatient and outpatient settings, to help minimize the risk of coronavirus infection and provide strategies to optimize treatment protocols for patients with cancer in light of the current COVID-19 pandemic.

The featured speakers for this program will be Amelia A. Langston, M.D., professor and executive vice chair, department of hematology and medical oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, director, bone marrow and stem cell transplant program, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University and medical director, Winship Cancer Network; Ruben A. Mesa, M.D., FACP, director of UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson Cancer Center; Hope S. Rugo, M.D., FASCO, professor of medicine, department of medicine (hematology/oncology), and director, breast oncology clinical trials program, University of California San Francisco, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Cardinale Smith, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of medicine in the department of hematology and medical oncology, associate professor of geriatrics and palliative medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

"We're thrilled to partner with the leading educational provider to leverage the vast OncLive platform to extend PER's reach and provide expert insight during this time of unprecedented concern," added vice president of sales, MJH Life Sciences.

Accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education and approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, this live webinar will provide participants the opportunity to earn 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits and 1.0 nursing contact hour.

For more information and to register, click here.

About Physicians Education Resource (PER)

Since 1995, PER has been dedicated to advancing cancer care through professional education and now advances patient care and treatment strategies on a wide variety of chronic illnesses and diseases. In 2016, PER initiated continuing medical education (CME) programming in the cardiovascular and endocrinology areas. While expanding into topics outside of oncology, PER stands as the leading provider of live, online and print CME activities related to oncology and hematology. The high-quality, evidence-based activities feature leading distinguished experts who focus on the application of practice-changing advances. PER is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education and the California Board of Registered Nursing. PER is a brand of MJH Life Sciences, the largest privately held, independent, full-service medical media company in North America dedicated to delivering trusted health care news across multiple channels.

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About OncLive

A digital platform of resources for practicing oncologists, OncLive offers oncology professionals information they can use to help provide the best patient care. OncLive is a brand of MJH Life Sciences, the largest privately held, independent, full-service medical media company in North America dedicated to delivering trusted health care news across multiple channels.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200320005487/en/

Contacts

PER Media Contact Alexandra Ventura, 609-716-7777, ext. 121aventura@mjhlifesciences.com

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Physicians Education Resource to Host Live CME Webcast on COVID-19 and Cancer Care - Yahoo Finance

A timely Q&A with Bears tight end and ‘resident scientist’ Ben Braunecker – The Athletic

In 2016, the assembled media at Halas Hall met Ben Braunecker, an undrafted rookie tight end out of Harvard. When asked about a post-football career, which is what you ask of a Harvard grad when he enters the league, the molecular and cell biology major said he wanted to be an infectious disease doctor.

Its the brainiac, former Bears tight end Zach Miller said that spring. Infectiousdiseaseguy. So if we have any questions, I go straight to him. Were not shy. Weve already told him that, youre the guy that were coming to if we have questions. Hes working while hes not working. Hes playing football and hes working on his doctor stuff. Were waiting on Harvard shirts as a group. Thats kinda the perk of having the brainiac with us.

With the COVID-19 pandemic gripping the world, Braunecker has been fielding plenty of calls and texts from people in the NFL wanting to get his take. And why not how many football players...

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A timely Q&A with Bears tight end and 'resident scientist' Ben Braunecker - The Athletic

Immunotherapy using ‘young cells’ offers promising option against cancer – Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis

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Study in mouse, human cells suggests unique anti-cancer properties of such a therapy

Pictured is a natural killer (NK) cell that researchers developed in the lab from human pluripotent stem cells. These NK cells mimic the properties of those found in the yolk sac during the earliest stages of development. Such NK cells may be more effective as immunotherapy for cancer treatment than adult NK cells that come from bone marrow, according to a new study from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. White arrows point out granules that contain potent anti-cancer enzymes. Adult NK cells have very few of these granules.

Immunotherapy that involves treating cancer with the bodys own immune cells, or those of a matched donor, shows promise in clinical trials for some patients, but not all.

A new study from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis suggests that the age of certain immune cells used in such therapy plays a role in how effective the immunotherapy is. These cells natural killer (NK) cells appear to be more effective the earlier they are in development, opening the door to the possibility of an immunotherapy that would not utilize cells from the patient or a matched donor. Instead, they could be developed from existing supplies of what are called human pluripotent stem cells.

We are trying to improve the effectiveness of immunotherapy for more patients, said senior author Christopher M. Sturgeon, PhD, an assistant professor of medicine. This special source of natural killer cells has the potential to fill some of the gaps remaining with adult NK cell therapy. There is early evidence that they are more consistent in their effectiveness, and we would not need to process cells from a donor or the patient. They could be manufactured from existing cell supplies following the strict federal guidelines for good manufacturing practices. The characteristics of these cells let us envision a supply of them ready to pull off the shelf whenever a patient needs them.

Unlike the adult versions of NK cells used in most investigational therapies, earlier versions of such cells do not originate from bone marrow. Rather, these NK cells are a special type of short-lived immune cell that forms in the yolk sac of the early mammalian embryo. But for therapeutic purposes, such cells do not need to originate from embryos they can be developed from human pluripotent stem cells, which have the ability to give rise to many different cell types, including these specialized natural killer cells. Manufacturing such cells which many academic medical centers already have the ability to do would make them available quickly, eliminating the time needed to process the patients or donors cells, which can take weeks.

The study appears March 19 in the journal Developmental Cell.

Before a certain time point in early development, there is no such thing as bone marrow, but there is still blood being made in the embryo, Sturgeon said. Its a transient wave of blood that the yolk sac makes to keep the embryo going until bone marrow starts to form. And thats the blood cell generation thats making these unique natural killer cells. This early blood appears to be capable of things that adult blood simply cant do.

Studying mouse and human induced pluripotent stem cells that have been coaxed into forming these unique NK cells, the researchers showed that the NK cells are better at releasing specific anti-tumor chemicals a process called degranulation than their adult counterparts. Even NK cells derived from umbilical cord blood do not respond as robustly. NK cells of adult origin also release different chemicals that trigger harmful inflammation, but this response is not necessarily effective against cancer.

Past work by other groups suggested NK cells from earlier development might be more effective, but how and why this was the case remained unknown. The specific origin of these cells was also a mystery.

Now we know where these special natural killer cells come from and that we can never get them from an adult donor, only a pluripotent stem cell, Sturgeon said. Based on their unique behavior alone, there is one small clinical trial of these cells that is ongoing. Now that we know how to manufacture them and how they work, it opens the door for more trials and for improving upon their function.

According to Sturgeon, such cells could be produced from existing lines of pluripotent stem cells that would not need to come from a matched donor because, in general, NK cells do not heavily attack the bodys healthy tissues, as many T cell therapies can. T cells are another type of immune cell often used to treat blood cancer as part of a stem cell transplant, commonly called a bone marrow transplant. Even when NK cells do cause harm, they do not stay in the body for long periods of time.

From a basic science standpoint, Sturgeon also is interested in understanding why these cells are present in the early embryo in the first place and where they go in later development and after birth.

We can only speculate at this point, but its possible that during early embryonic development, when there is so much rapid cell division, these cells are there as a surveillance mechanism to protect against pediatric cancers or infection, he said.

This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), grant numbers HL007088-41, R01DK09361, R01CA205239, P50CA171963, 5K12CA167540, and UL1TR002345; an American Society of Hematology Scholar Award; the University of Rochester; the American Cancer Society, grant number IRG-58-010-59-2; the Washington University Center of Regenerative Medicine; the technical expertise of Leah Vit; and the M. Napoleon Memorial Foundation. Electron microscopy was performed at the Washington University Center for Cellular Imaging (WUCCI). Transcriptome analyses were performed at the Genome Technology Access Center (GTAC).

Dege C, Fegan KH, Creamer JP, Berrien-Elliott MM, Luff SA, Kim D, Wagner JA, Kingsley PD, McGrath KE, Fehniger TA, Palis J, Sturgeon CM. Potently cytotoxic natural killer cells initially emerge from erythro-myeloid progenitors during mammalian development. Developmental Cell. March 19, 2020.

Washington University School of Medicines 1,500 faculty physicians also are the medical staff of Barnes-Jewish and St. Louis Childrens hospitals. The School of Medicine is a leader in medical research, teaching and patient care, ranking among the top 10 medical schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Through its affiliations with Barnes-Jewish and St. Louis Childrens hospitals, the School of Medicine is linked to BJC HealthCare.

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Immunotherapy using 'young cells' offers promising option against cancer - Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis

The personal and economic burden of traumatic brain injury – Eagle & Times

(BPT) - It could be due to a car accident. It might be attributed to an injury at work. It might be the result of a simple fall. Traumatic brain injury can happen to anyone of any age, and it's probably more common than you think.

What is traumatic brain injury (TBI)?

A TBI is often caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head that disrupts the normal function of the brain, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Severity of TBI can be mild and temporary or severe and life altering. In the worst cases, a person can die from a TBI.

The number of TBI-related emergency department visits, hospitalizations and deaths has increased by 53% and an average of 155 people in the U.S. die every day from injuries that include a TBI, according to CDC data from 2006-2014. There is an estimated $80 billion in lifetime costs within the U.S. alone related to TBI.

"People who experience and survive a TBI often suffer from numerous other health conditions as a result, including headaches, memory loss, anxiety and depression, sleep deprivation, epilepsy and even alcohol or drug abuse," said Dr. Ramon Diaz-Arrastia, Professor of Neurology and Director of Clinical TBI Research at the University of Pennsylvania. "Concussions in sports have helped bring the frequency of TBIs to light, but there's still so much work to do because everyone is impacted by this condition either directly or indirectly."

Who is impacted most by TBIs?

Research shows TBI disproportionately affects vulnerable populations. For example, recent peer reviewed research shows that 53% of homeless people have suffered from TBI, according to health journal "The Lancet Public Health." Additionally, more than 65% of prisoners and 75% of women experiencing domestic violence have suffered from TBI, according to the "Journal of Neurotrauma."

People in the military are more susceptible to TBI. Concussions have been capturing headlines for athletes, who also are at high risk of experiencing a TBI. It's a leading cause of disability and death in children. When someone experiences this type of injury, their life can be forever altered. It also impacts their family as well as society as a whole, as some cannot continue to work, care for a home or even properly care for themselves without assistance.

The need for research and new treatments

"To better address this public health issue, we must create a national registry that will provide critical information to help move forward the medical treatment of individuals with TBI so we can improve their care and research new treatments," said Dr. Stephanie Kolakowsky-Hayner, President Elect, American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine.

She is joined by leading TBI organizations like the Brain Injury Association of America and the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force to call for action from The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to create this type of national registry. The current system is decentralized and relies on states and regions to construct their own registries, leaving millions of people without resources to manage their TBI. The goal is to develop a single, standardized level of care for individuals living with TBI nationwide.

A comprehensive registry would also facilitate more clinical trials, which could advance the treatment of people with TBI. One treatment showing promising initial results is a regenerative cell medicine (SB623) composed of stem cells that are implanted around the injured area. Focused on improving chronic motor deficiency, the Phase II data last year reported the effectiveness of the treatment that may regenerate brain cells following a TBI.

To learn more about TBI visit http://www.cdc.gov. To learn about research and efforts being made to advance a national registry, visit http://www.biausa.org.

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The personal and economic burden of traumatic brain injury - Eagle & Times

Stem Cell And Regenerative Therapy Market Research Insights Global Industry Outlook Shared in Detailed Report, Forecast size 2024 – Daily Science

The global stem cell and regenerative medicines market should grow from $21.8 billion in 2019 to reach $55.0 billion by 2024 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.4% for the period of 2019-2024.

Report Scope:

The scope of this report is broad and covers various type of product available in the stem cell and regenerative medicines market and potential application sectors across various industries. The current report offers a detailed analysis of the stem cell and regenerative medicines market.

The report highlights the current and future market potential of stem cell and regenerative medicines and provides a detailed analysis of the competitive environment, recent development, merger and acquisition, drivers, restraints, and technology background in the market. The report also covers market projections through 2024.

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The report details market shares of stem cell and regenerative medicines based on products, application, and geography. Based on product the market is segmented into therapeutic products, cell banking, tools and reagents. The therapeutics products segments include cell therapy, tissue engineering and gene therapy. By application, the market is segmented into oncology, cardiovascular disorders, dermatology, orthopedic applications, central nervous system disorders, diabetes, others

The market is segmented by geography into the following regions: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, and the Middle East and Africa. The report presents detailed analyses of major countries such as the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Germany, the U.K. France, Japan, China and India. For market estimates, data is provided for 2018 as the base year, with forecasts for 2019 through 2024. Estimated values are based on product manufacturers total revenues. Projected and forecasted revenue values are in constant U.S. dollars, unadjusted for inflation.

Report Includes:

28 data tables An overview of global markets for stem cell and regenerative medicines Analyses of global market trends, with data from 2018, estimates for 2019, and projections of compound annual growth rates (CAGRs) through 2024 Details of historic background and description of embryonic and adult stem cells Information on stem cell banking and stem cell research A look at the growing research & development activities in regenerative medicine Coverage of ethical issues in stem cell research & regulatory constraints on biopharmaceuticals Comprehensive company profiles of key players in the market, including Aldagen Inc., Caladrius Biosciences Inc., Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd., Gamida Cell Ltd. and Novartis AG

Summary

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The global market for stem cell and regenerative medicines was valued at REDACTED billion in 2018. The market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of REDACTED to reach approximately REDACTED billion by 2024. Growth of the global market is attributed to the factors such as growingprevalence of cancer, technological advancement in product, growing adoption of novel therapeuticssuch as cell therapy, gene therapy in treatment of chronic diseases and increasing investment fromprivate players in cell-based therapies.

In the global market, North America held the highest market share in 2018. The Asia-Pacific region is anticipated to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The growing government funding for regenerative medicines in research institutes along with the growing number of clinical trials based on cell-based therapy and investment in R&D activities is expected to supplement the growth of the stem cell and regenerative market in Asia-Pacific region during the forecast period.

Reasons for Doing This Study

Global stem cell and regenerative medicines market comprises of various products for novel therapeutics that are adopted across various applications. New advancement and product launches have influenced the stem cell and regenerative medicines market and it is expected to grow in the near future. The biopharmaceutical companies are investing significantly in cell-based therapeutics. The government organizations are funding research and development activities related to stem cell research. These factors are impacting the stem cell and regenerative medicines market positively and augmenting the demand of stem cell and regenerative therapy among different application segments. The market is impacted through adoption of stem cell therapy. The key players in the market are investing in development of innovative products. The stem cell therapy market is likely to grow during the forecast period owing to growing investment from private companies, increasing in regulatory approval of stem cell-based therapeutics for treatment of chronic diseases and growth in commercial applications of regenerative medicine.

Products based on stem cells do not yet form an established market, but unlike some other potential applications of bioscience, stem cell technology has already produced many significant products in important therapeutic areas. The potential scope of the stem cell market is now becoming clear, and it is appropriate to review the technology, see its current practical applications, evaluate the participating companies and look to its future.

The report provides the reader with a background on stem cell and regenerative therapy, analyzes the current factors influencing the market, provides decision-makers the tools that inform decisions about expansion and penetration in this market.

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Stem Cell And Regenerative Therapy Market Research Insights Global Industry Outlook Shared in Detailed Report, Forecast size 2024 - Daily Science

15 Good News Stories To Tackle The COVID-19 Sadness – IFLScience

For Earth, bleak times lay ahead. TheCOVID-19 diseaseis known to cause respiratory illness and fever, but some extra symptoms sweeping across the globe right now seem to be stress, fear, and anxiety. To provide some light relief in these dark times, weve collated 15 of our favorite good news stories to remind you that not everything is awful. Hold tight everybody, 2021 will come eventually.

The Super Pink Moon is comingYou might be stuck at home as part of your self-isolation, but luckily the night sky is about to put on quite a show as April sees the return of the Super Pink Moon. Full moons happen every month and were given different names by the Native Americans to map out the year based on significant events that ran in tandem with the occurrence of a full Moon. Aprils is known as the pink moon because it appeared at the same time as pink spring flowers. This Aprils will be a Super Pink Moon as it is the second supermoon of the year, a term used to describe the slightly enlarged appearance of the Moon as its fully illuminated by the Sun due to Earths position between the two. Quarantine or no, if you've got access to a window you should be able to catch sight of this beauty on April 7 and when you do, think of all the other people looking up at the same moon. Self isolation doesn't mean you're alone.

Mice have been cured of diabetesAn astonishing discovery at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has revealed that human stem cells could be successfully engineered to cure diabetes in mice, offering an avenue of hope for the treatment of this debilitating disease. They used human pluripotent stem cells, cells that have the capacity to become any cell in the body, to create insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells. The engineered stem cells supplemented the diabetic mices inability to produce insulin, curing them of the disease for 9 months to a year before relapse occurred.

Theres a new green fuel in townHydrogen fuel was fast shaping up to be a hopeful route for a zero-emissions means of running things, but its costly production in terms of energy was affecting hopes for it being a sustainable resource. A team in Tokyo has now managed to refine the process to yield 25 times more hydrogen than previous methods all while using thrifty ingredients including light and a specific kind of rust. Combined with all the solar power breakthroughs currently occurring, green energy is on the up.

A crash course in what not to do, according to one Stanford University psychologist.

Babies love baby talkEven if it makes your skin crawl to hear adults cooing over little uns, it turns out babies across the globe are universally partial to baby talk. The news comes fromStanford psychologist Michael Frank who led the largeststudyto date looking at how the different ways adults speak is received by babies across the world. While all babies were fans, older babies liked it best and even showed a preference for baby talk in their native language as they likely recognized it most even if they couldnt speak it yet. The overall winner was oohs and coos, so think twice before scorning your new-parent friends for embarrassing you in public the babies have spoken.

Important change in the winds for HIV treatmentShortly after a UK man became the second person cured of HIV a fantastic breakthrough in the treatment of this once devastating disease theres more good news in the UK as PrEP, a preventative drug that prevents HIV infection, will finally be available nationwide on the NHS having already been made available in Scotland. After a 3-year study involving 20,000 participants, the drug will be made available to those at higher risk of exposure from April. PrEP is already available in the US and you can find PrEP providers near you here.

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Plasters finally take a step towards racial inclusivityMajor UK superstore Tesco has taken the long-awaited step to introduce skin tone diversity into their range of bandaids. Previously, widely available bandaids, or plasters in the UK, have mainly catered to Caucasian individuals and the racial oversight was brought to light by a moving Tweet from Domonique Apollon in April 2019 after he wore a bandaid suitable for his skin tone for the first time. Longtime readers of Malorie Blackman's literary series Noughts and Crosseswill appreciate this poignant detail becoming a reality, as will those watching the current BBC dramatization available to watch via iPlayer in the US (excellent for those self-isolating).

Universal flu vaccine passes integral stageWatchers of the Pandemic documentary on Netflix (we wouldnt recommend catching up now if you missed it) may remember the plight of flu-fighting epidemiologists as the constantly shape-shifting nature of influenza meant strains were annually moving beyond existing vaccinations. Now, a universal vaccine is becoming a reality as for the first time a vaccine, called FLU-v, has been developed that can induce immune responses that last at least six months. Phase I and II of the clinical trial have been approved meaning its safety for use in human subjects and we hotly await what comes next for the groundbreaking vaccine.

Top marks for lights out in dark sky nationSometimes a bit of darkness can be a good thing, and when it comes to nighttime, the tiny South Pacific island of Niue tops the charts. The International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) is a non-profit working to protect our most precious natural spaces from light pollution, and this year chose Niue as the first entire country ever to be accredited as a Dark Sky Place. This classification recognizes responsible lighting policies that preserve the natural darkness of nighttime carrying with it endless benefits for the biological cycles of animals, plants and humans.

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People hating on National Parks created beautiful artIn a glimmering example of you cant please everybody, artist Amber Share decided to take some of the best worst reviews of National Parks in America and turn them intotourism posters, showing that we can still make something funny in the face of people's negativity. You can see the whole collection on her Instagram account @subparparks, but a personal favorite has to be the above magnificent minimization of Yellowstone.

CRISPR may hold the key for curing genetic blindnessSurgeons at Oregon Health & Science Institute have attempted to use gene hacking to cure Leber congenital amaurosis, a genetic condition that leads to the onset of blindness in early childhood. By directly gene editing within the patients eye, researchers hope to ...take people who are essentially blind and make them see," according to researchers.

The Arctic seed vault in Svalbard is thrivingLast month saw an enormous glut of 60,000 seed samples added to the ever-growing collecting in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault. Tucked beneath a mountain in Norway's Svalbard archipelago, the initiative began with hopes to create a Noahs ark for plant diversity to protect our green spaces should a global catastrophe occur up top. The collection now includes 1.05 million seed varieties including the first-ever donation from an indigenous US tribe. Nicknamed the "Doomsday vault", we may need it sooner than thought.

Sea sponges can sneeze, and the footage is amazingThe aah and choo of asneezing sea spongehas been caught on camera for the first time and the recording is hilarious. Stumbled upon almost by accident, the discovery came about while researchers were observing sea cucumbers and sea urchins sniffing the sea floor. The video shows the two-part sneeze of a tulip-shaped sponge as it expands before contracting, expelling particles as it goes. Researchers arent yet sure what the sneezes are in response to. Lets hope its not a case ofthe suds.

Vernal equinox brings early springThe times might be dark but for the Northern hemisphere, the days wont be, as spring arrives on March 19, the earliest date in 124 years. The variation in the date is the result of leap years and daylight savings time. It should be noted this is the astronomical definition of spring, which refers specifically to the position of Earth's orbit in relation to the Sun, so perhaps dont expect to hear a gay little spring song in your garden just yet.

Its possible some dinosaurs could GLOW IN THE DARKA titillating discovery published in the journal Historical Biology recently revealed that some dinosaurs may have glowed in the dark thanks to ultraviolet fluorescing feathers and horns. Many extant bird species are tetrachromats, defined by a fourth cone in their retina that means they can see the UV spectrum. Co-author Jamie Dunning's work on the photoluminescence of puffin beaks under UV light inspired the questions, could dinosaurs have this too? We'd like the answer to be yes, please. The only thing cooler than dinosaurs is glow-in-the-dark dinosaurs.

If you need more positivity in your life right now, take a look at these ingenious social distancing moments from around the world that will restore your faith in humanity.

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15 Good News Stories To Tackle The COVID-19 Sadness - IFLScience

Analyzing CRYO-CELL International (OTCMKTS:CCEL) and Harsco (OTCMKTS:HSC) – Redmond Register

CRYO-CELL International (OTCMKTS:CCEL) and Harsco (NYSE:HSC) are both small-cap medical companies, but which is the better business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, risk, analyst recommendations, profitability, institutional ownership, dividends and earnings.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares CRYO-CELL International and Harscos revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of current ratings and recommmendations for CRYO-CELL International and Harsco, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Harsco has a consensus price target of $26.67, suggesting a potential upside of 325.99%. Given Harscos higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Harsco is more favorable than CRYO-CELL International.

Volatility & Risk

CRYO-CELL International has a beta of -0.25, suggesting that its stock price is 125% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Harsco has a beta of 2.27, suggesting that its stock price is 127% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Profitability

This table compares CRYO-CELL International and Harscos net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

0.3% of CRYO-CELL International shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 92.2% of Harsco shares are owned by institutional investors. 54.0% of CRYO-CELL International shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 1.8% of Harsco shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

Harsco beats CRYO-CELL International on 8 of the 12 factors compared between the two stocks.

CRYO-CELL International Company Profile

Cryo-Cell International, Inc. engages in the cellular processing and cryogenic cellular storage with a focus on the collection and preservation of umbilical cord blood stem cells for family use. It provides cord tissue service that stores a section of the umbilical cord tissue, a source of mesenchymal stem cells that are used in regenerative medicine to treat a range of conditions, including heart, kidney, ALS, wound healing, and auto-immune diseases. The company also manufactures and sells PrepaCyte CB processing system, a technology used to process umbilical cord blood stem cells. It stores approximately 500,000 cord blood and cord tissue specimens worldwide. The company markets its cord blood stem cell preservation services directly to expectant parents, as well as by distributing information through obstetricians, pediatricians, childbirth educators, certified nurse-midwives, and other related healthcare professionals. Cryo-Cell International, Inc. was founded in 1989 and is headquartered in Oldsmar, Florida.

Harsco Company Profile

Harsco Corporation provides industrial services and engineered products worldwide. The company operates in three segments: Harsco Metals & Minerals, Harsco Industrial, and Harsco Rail. The Harsco Metals & Minerals segment provides on-site services of material logistics, product quality improvement, and resource recovery for iron, steel, and metals manufacturing; and value added environmental solutions for industrial co-products, as well as produces industrial abrasives and roofing granules. The Harsco Industrial segment manufactures and supplies custom-engineered and manufactured air-cooled heat exchangers for the natural gas, natural gas processing, and petrochemical industries; industrial grating products, such as metal bar grating configurations for industrial flooring, and safety and security applications in the energy, paper, chemical, refining, and processing industries. It also offers heat transfer products, such as boilers and water heaters for commercial and institutional applications; and high-security fencing products. The Harsco Rail segment designs and manufactures safety systems for transportation and industrial applications; and equipment, after-market parts, and services for the maintenance, repair, and construction of railway track. It serves private and government-owned railroads, and urban mass transit systems. Harsco Corporation was founded in 1853 and is headquartered in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania.

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Original post:
Analyzing CRYO-CELL International (OTCMKTS:CCEL) and Harsco (OTCMKTS:HSC) - Redmond Register

New Research On Brain Structure Highlights Cells Linked To Alzheimer’s And Autism – BioSpace

New insights into the architecture of the brain have been revealed by scientists at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, the Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute and their collaborators. The researchers discovered that cells in the cerebral cortex of mice, called astrocytes, are more diverse than previously thought, with distinct layers of astrocytes across the cerebral cortex that provide the strongest evidence to date of their specialization across the brain.

Published today (16 March) in Nature Neuroscience, the most in-depth study of its kind is set to change the way we think about the brain and the role of cells such as astrocytes. This knowledge will have with implications for the study of neurological disorders, such as Alzheimers, multiple sclerosis and autism.

In the past 20 years, research has shown glial cells to be key players in brain development and function, as well as promising targets for better understanding neurological disorders. Alzheimers causes around two thirds of dementia cases in the UK, which affects around 850,000 individuals at present*. MS is a neurological disorder that affects the central nervous system and impacts around 100,000 people in the UK**. Autism affects around one in every hundred people in the UK***.

Glial comes from the Greek word for glue or putty. At one time, glial cells were thought of as 'brain putty' functionally similar, passive cells whose only function was to fill the space around the all important neurons. However, new studies are showing their critical importance in regulating neuron functions^. Astrocytes are a type of glial cell, so called because of their star-shaped structure^^.

Despite the wealth of knowledge on neuronal function and the organisation of neurons into layers, prior to this study there had been little investigation into whether glial cells across different layers showed different cellular properties. To answer this question, the researchers developed a new methodological approach to provide a more detailed view of the organisation of astrocytes than ever before.

Nucleic acid imaging was carried out on mouse and human brain samples at the University of Cambridge to map how new genes are expressed within tissue. These maps were combined with single cell genomic data at the Wellcome Sanger Institute to extend the molecular description of astrocytes. These data sets were then combined to create a three-dimensional, high-resolution picture of astrocytes in the cerebral cortex.

The team discovered that astrocytes are not uniform as previously thought, but take distinct molecular forms depending on their location in the cerebral cortex. They found that astrocytes are also organised into multiple layers, but that the boundaries of astrocyte layers are not identical to the neuronal layers. Instead, astrocyte layers have less sharply defined edges and overlap the neuronal layers.

Dr Omer Bayraktar, Group Leader at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, said: The discovery that astrocytes are organised into layers that are similar, but not identical to, neuronal layers redefines our view of the structure of the mammalian brain. The structure of the cerebral cortex can no longer simply be seen as the structure of neurons. If you want to properly understand how our brains work, you have to consider how astrocytes are organised and what role they play.

As well as increasing our understanding of brain biology, the findings will have implications for the study and treatment of human neurological disorders. Over the past decade glial cells, rather than neurons, have been heavily implicated in diseases such as Alzheimers and multiple sclerosis.

Professor David Rowitch, senior author of the study and Head of Paediatrics at the University of Cambridge, said: This study shows that the cortical architecture is more complex than previously thought. It provides a basis to begin to understand the precise roles played by astrocytes, and how they are involved in human neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases.

ENDS

Contact details:Dr Matthew MidgleyPress OfficeWellcome Sanger InstituteCambridge, CB10 1SAPhone: 01223 494856Email: press.office@sanger.ac.uk

Notes to Editors:

In the cerebral cortex of the mammalian brain, neurons are the cells responsible for transmitting information throughout the body. It has long been recognised that the 10-14 billion neurons of the human cerebral cortex are organised into six layers, with distinct populations of neurons in each layer that correspond to their function https://www.dartmouth.edu/~rswenson/NeuroSci/chapter_11.html

* More information on Alzheimers disease can be found here: https://www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/about-dementia/types-of-dementia/alzheimers-disease/about/

**More information about MS can be found here: https://www.mssociety.org.uk/about-ms/what-is-ms

*** More Information on autism is available from the National Autistic Society: https://www.autism.org.uk/about/what-is/asd.aspx

^ An overview of the changing status of glial cells is available at: https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/brainwaves/know-your-neurons-meet-the-glia/

^^ Only half of the cells in the human cerebral cortex are neurons, the other half are glial cells, of which astrocytes are a type. The molecular signals that astrocytes provide are essential for forming synapses between neurons. They regulate synapse formation in the developing brain, as well as refining synapses in the maturing brain 'pruning' extra synapses to sculpt neuronal networks.

Publication:

Omer Ali Bayraktar, Theresa Bartels and Staffan Holmqvist et al. (2020). Astrocyte layers in the mammalian cerebral cortex revealed by a single-cell in situ transcriptomic map. Nature Neuroscience. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41593-020-0602-1

Funding:

The study was supported by the Dr Miriam and Sheldon G. Adelson Medical Research Foundation, National Institute of Health (1R01 MH109912; P01NS08351), NINDS Informatics Center for Neurogenetics and Neurogenomics (P30 NS062691), Wellcome and the European Research Council (281961).

Selected websites:

Wellcome - MRC Cambridge Stem Cell InstituteThe Wellcome - MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute is a world-leading centre for stem cell research with a mission to transform human health through a deep understanding of normal and pathological stem cell behaviour. Bringing together biological, clinical and physical scientists operating across a range of tissue types and at multiple scales, we explore the commonalities and differences in stem cell biology in a cohesive and inter-disciplinary manner. In 2019, we relocated to a new purpose-built home on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus. Housing over 350 researchers, including a critical mass of clinician scientists, the Institute integrates with neighbouring disease-focused research institutes and also serves as a hub for the wider stem cell community in Cambridge. https://www.stemcells.cam.ac.uk/

About the University of Cambridge

The mission of the University of Cambridge is to contribute to society through the pursuit of education, learning and research at the highest international levels of excellence. To date, 107 affiliates of the University have won the Nobel Prize.

Founded in 1209, the University comprises 31 autonomous Colleges, which admit undergraduates and provide small-group tuition, and 150 departments, faculties and institutions. Cambridge is a global university. Its 19,000 student body includes 3,700 international students from 120 countries. Cambridge researchers collaborate with colleagues worldwide, and the University has established larger-scale partnerships in Asia, Africa and America.

The University sits at the heart of the Cambridge cluster, which employs 60,000 people and has in excess of 12 billion in turnover generated annually by the 4,700 knowledge-intensive firms in and around the city. The city publishes 341 patents per 100,000 residents. http://www.cam.ac.uk

The Wellcome Sanger InstituteThe Wellcome Sanger Institute is a world leading genomics research centre. We undertake large-scale research that forms the foundations of knowledge in biology and medicine. We are open and collaborative; our data, results, tools and technologies are shared across the globe to advance science. Our ambition is vast we take on projects that are not possible anywhere else. We use the power of genome sequencing to understand and harness the information in DNA. Funded by Wellcome, we have the freedom and support to push the boundaries of genomics. Our findings are used to improve health and to understand life on Earth. Find out more at http://www.sanger.ac.uk or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and on our Blog.

About WellcomeWellcome exists to improve health by helping great ideas to thrive. We support researchers, we take on big health challenges, we campaign for better science, and we help everyone get involved with science and health research. We are a politically and financially independent foundation. https://wellcome.ac.uk

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New Research On Brain Structure Highlights Cells Linked To Alzheimer's And Autism - BioSpace