New York Genome Center announces the New York Stem Cell Foundation as an Associate Member

Public release date: 17-Sep-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: David McKeon dmckeon@nyscf.org 212-365-7440 New York Stem Cell Foundation

New York, NY (September 17, 2013) The New York Genome Center (NYGC) announced today that The New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF) has become an Associate Member, joining NYGC's growing consortium of 16 research and clinical institutions, all working together in new ways to utilize genomic data for better detection, treatment, and prevention of disease.

"Biologists at the NYSCF working with the genomic scientists at NYGC will help address some of the critical roadblocks in stem cell research," said Dr. Robert B. Darnell, President and Scientific Director of NYGC. "Modern genomics has the potential to provide vital missing information to help us learn how to harness stem cells for use in clinical medicine. We've developed techniques and ideas here at NYGC that will greatly synergize with the beautiful and pioneering work ongoing at the NYSCF."

Stem cell biology and genomic analysis are both critical to the advancement of precision medicine. The collaboration between the Genome Center and NYSCF will merge cutting-edge capabilities in human biology with genomic research, creating an optimal environment for translating research into a better standard of care for patients.

"We are excited to work with NYGC as we continue to accelerate cures for the major diseases of our time. This will enable collaboration within the growing biotechnology community in New York," said Susan L. Solomon, CEO of The New York Stem Cell Foundation. "NYSCF has a number of current projects in which additional genomic analysis may play a critical role in better understanding disease susceptibility and risk factors. We hope to work with NYGC to integrate their genomic analysis into our research."

The New York Genome Center provides an "Integrated Genomics Solution", which includes (1) scientific consultation, (2) next-generation sequencing services for exomes, whole genomes, and RNA, (3) bioinformatic analysis of sequencing results using a high performance computing environment, and (4) data storage so that researchers and clinicians can readily access these results.

As an Associate Member, NYSCF will have priority access to these services. NYSCF will also become a member of the NYGC's Scientific and Clinical Steering Committee (SCSC), which provides guidance on research direction and oversees research collaborations and related funding.

NYSCF employs 45 full-time scientists and engineers in its laboratory who are engaged in the most advanced stem cell research and technology development, including creating NYSCF's Global Stem Cell Array, an automated technology platform that for the first time makes it possible to create identical stem cell lines from a large number of patients in a massively parallel process. This is a revolutionary tool that takes the vast amount of information we have learned from sequencing the human genome and puts it into a biological context to accelerate the development of safe and effective medicine. This robotic system creates induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell lines and cell derivatives in a standardized manner from genetically diverse patients and patients with disease. This program will create an array of stem cell lines representing the full range of human genetics and the diversity of the world's population.

"This collaboration will expand our resources to analyze our stem cell samples at the genetic level, as we continue to bring the latest discoveries in genome science to our work to understand, prevent, and eventually cure diseases like diabetes, Alzheimer's, and multiple sclerosis among many others," said Scott Noggle, Director of the NYSCF Laboratory and the Charles Evans Senior Research Fellow for Alzheimer's Disease.

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New York Genome Center announces the New York Stem Cell Foundation as an Associate Member

Southern California Regenerative Medicine Clinics Now Offering Stem Cell Therapy for Degenerative Disc Disease and …

Orange, CA (PRWEB) September 17, 2013

The top regenerative medicine clinic in Southern California, TeleHealth, is now offering stem cell therapy for back pain due to degenerative disc disease. The treatment has the potential to repair and regenerate damaged spinal discs and is performed as an outpatient procedure. For more information and scheduling, call (888) 828-4575.

One of the most troublesome spinal conditions to treat has been degenerative disc disease. Normally, a spinal disc contains 80% water. However, as it degenerates that percentage decreases and the discs are not great at regenerating themselves. This degeneration may unfortunately happen at a young age due to genetics or post traumatic deterioration.

TeleHealth, the leading stem cell therapy clinic in California, is now offering regenerative medicine treatments for degenerative disc disease. This includes either platelet rich plasma therapy (PRP), bone marrow derived stem cell injections, fat derived stem cell injections or a combination of therapies.

The treatments are on the cutting edge of medicine and have brought home to millions of individuals suffering from degenerative arthritis, disc disease and soft tissue injuries. TeleHealth also provides stem cell injections for osteoarthritis, rotator cuff tendonitis, achilles tendonitis, tennis elbow, ligament sprains and new indications such as hair loss and breast reconstruction after cancer.

The essential problem is that the metabolism of the degenerative disc is too slow and not able to heal itself. Stem cell treatments bring in vital reparative cells to the area along with growth factors to spur healing. The stem cell treatments for degenerative disc disease are not covered by insurance, however, most other treatments are at TeleHealth.

The treatments are all outpatient and offered by Board Certified doctors. For more information and scheduling of stem cell treatments for disc disease, call (888) 828-4575.

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Southern California Regenerative Medicine Clinics Now Offering Stem Cell Therapy for Degenerative Disc Disease and ...

Mesenchymal stem cell transplantation may heal a mother's childbirth injury

Public release date: 17-Sep-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Robert Miranda cogcomm@aol.com Cell Transplantation Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair

Putnam Valley, NY. (Sept. 17 2013) Vaginal delivery presents the possibility of injury for mothers that can lead to "stress urinary incontinence" (SUI), a condition affecting from four to 35 percent of women who have had babies via vaginal delivery. Many current treatments, such as physiotherapy and surgery, are not very effective.

Seeking better methods to alleviate SUI, researchers carried out a study in which female laboratory rats modeled with simulated childbirth injuries received injections of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs; multipotent cells found in connective tissues that can differentiate into a variety of cell types including: bone, cartilage and fat cells) to see if the cells would home to and help to repair the damaged pelvic organs.

The study appears as an early e-publication for the journal Cell Transplantation, and is now freely available on-line at http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/cog/ct/pre-prints/content-cog_09636897_ct0957dissaranan.

"Stem cell-based therapy has recently gained attention as a promising treatment for SUI," said study co-author Dr. Margot S. Damaser of the Cleveland Clinic's Department of Biomedical Engineering. "Stem cell therapies may be more feasible and less invasive than current therapies."

The current study extended the results of the researcher's previous studies by demonstrating that the transplanted MSCs homed to the animals' spleens. This suggested that the transplanted cells could have a beneficial impact when they released trophic factors, agents that stimulate differentiation and survival of cells and then engrafted into the smooth muscle of the urethra and vagina, as demonstrated previously in prior studies.

"Our results suggest a potential therapy for postpartum SUI," said Dr. Damaser.

The group of female rats that received simulated childbirth injury (vaginal distension) and MSCs showed homing of the MSCs to the urethra and vagina, facilitating the recovery of continence.

The researchers noted that other kinds of stem cells from different sources have been used in other studies aimed at treating SUI via stem cell transplantation. Autologous (self-donated) muscle-derived stem cells have demonstrated therapeutic potential for SUI in animal models and in clinical trials. Adipose (fat)-derived stem cells have also been used to improve urethral function after simulated childbirth injury in rats.

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Mesenchymal stem cell transplantation may heal a mother's childbirth injury

Stem Cell Therapeutics Adopts Shareholder Rights Plan

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Sep 17, 2013) - Stem Cell Therapeutics Corp. (TSX VENTURE:SSS)(SCTPF), a biopharmaceutical company developing cancer stem cell-related therapeutics, today announces that it has adopted a shareholder rights plan (the "Plan") effective September 16, 2013. The Company will be seeking shareholder approval of the Plan at its next annual general and special meeting of shareholders.

The Plan is designed to ensure the fair and equal treatment of shareholders in connection with any take-over bid for outstanding common shares of the Company. The Plan is not intended to prevent or deter take-over bids that offer fair treatment and value to shareholders, but is designed to encourage offers that represent fair value to all shareholders. The Plan seeks to provide shareholders with adequate time to properly assess a take-over bid without undue pressure. It also provides the Board of Directors with adequate time to fully assess an unsolicited take-over bid, to allow competing bids to emerge, and, if applicable, to explore other alternatives to the take-over bid to maximize shareholder value.

Under the terms of the Plan, one right will be issued by the Company for each outstanding Stem Cell Therapeutics ("SCT") common share at the close of business on September 16, 2013, and for each SCT common share issued in the future (subject to the terms of the Plan). The rights issued under the Plan become exercisable only if a person acquires or announces its intention to acquire 20% or more of the common shares of the Company without complying with the "Permitted Bid" provisions of the Plan or without the approval of SCT's Board of Directors.

Permitted Bids must be made to all holders of SCT common shares by way of a take-over bid circular prepared in compliance with applicable securities laws and, among other things, must be open for acceptance for a minimum of 60 days. If at the end of 60 days at least 50% of the outstanding common shares other than those owned by the offeror and certain related parties have been tendered and not withdrawn, the bidder may take-up and pay for the shares but must extend the bid for a further 10 days to allow other shareholders to tender to the bid.

If a take-over bid does not meet the Permitted Bid requirements of the Plan, the rights will entitle shareholders, excluding the shareholder or shareholders making the take-over bid, to purchase additional common shares of the Company at a substantial discount to the market price of the common shares at that time.

The Company is not adopting a Plan in response to any proposal to acquire control of the Company. The Plan is similar to plans adopted by other Canadian companies and ratified by their shareholders.

Although effective as of September 16, 2013, the Plan will be presented for ratification by the Company's shareholders at the next annual general and special meeting. If ratified by the shareholders, the Plan will have an initial term of 3 years.

About Stem Cell Therapeutics:

Stem Cell Therapeutics Corp. is a biopharmaceutical company advancing cancer stem cell discoveries into novel and innovative cancer therapies. Building on over half a century of leading and groundbreaking Canadian stem cell research, the company is supported by established links to a group of Toronto academic research institutes and cancer treatment centers, representing one of the world's most acclaimed cancer research hubs. The Company has two premier preclinical programs, SIRPaFc and a CD200 monoclonal antibody ("mAb"), which target two key immunoregulatory pathways that tumor cells exploit to evade the host immune system. SIRPaFc is an antibody-like fusion protein that blocks the activity of CD47, a molecule that is upregulated on cancer stem cells in AML and several other tumors. The CD200 mAb is a fully human monoclonal antibody that blocks the activity of CD200, an immunosuppressive molecule that is overexpressed by many hematopoietic and solid tumors. SCT's clinical stage programs include the recently in-licensed program focused on the structure of tigecycline, which is currently being evaluated in a multi-centre Phase I study in patients with acute myeloid leukemia ("AML"), as well as TTI-1612, a non-oncology asset that recently completed dosing in a 28-patient Phase I trial in interstitial cystitis ("IC") patients. For more information, visit http://www.stemcellthera.com.

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Stem Cell Therapeutics Adopts Shareholder Rights Plan

Fake Brownsville doctor arrested in stem cell scheme

BROWNSVILLE Federal authorities say a man who posed as a doctor was part of a scheme that used stem cells from the umbilical cords of women at a border maternity clinic to prey on the hopes of patients with incurable diseases.

A 19-page indictment unsealed this week accuses Francisco Dr. Frank Morales, 52, of Brownsville and co-defendants including the owner of a maternity clinic in Del Rio and a researcher in South Carolina of netting at least $1.5 million from procedures Morales performed in Mexico on patients he met in the United States.

Birth mothers at the Maternity Care Clinic were told their umbilical cords were being donated to a research facility.

Instead, they were sent to the researcher to extract stem cells that were sold to Global Laboratories, LLC, in Scottsdale, Ariz., which then sold them to Morales for his unauthorized procedures, the indictment alleges.

Customs and Border Protection officers arrested Morales Dec. 22 in Brownsville. He is to be arraigned in Houston, where the case is pending. Court records show he waived his right to a court-appointed attorney.

Clinic owner and licensed midwife Alberto Ramon, 48, of Del Rio, and researcher Vincent Dammai, 40, of Mount Pleasant, S.C., were arrested Tuesday. A warrant was also issued for Lawrence Stowe, 58, of Dallas, who has been charged in relation to the case and is considered a fugitive.

According to the National Institutes on Health, stem cells are unspecialized cells that can renew themselves and as such hold the promise of repairing or replacing worn-out or damaged tissue. But the research is young, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved any stem cell therapies.

The indictment demonstrates the commitment of the FDA to protect the American public from the harms inherent in being exposed to unapproved new drugs, FDA Special Agent in Charge Patrick J. Holland said in a news release announcing the indictment Wednesday. The FDA will continue to aggressively pursue perpetrators of such acts and ensure they are punished to the full extent of the law.

Morales traveled the United States representing himself as an expert on stem cells derived from umbilical cord blood, falsely claiming he was affiliated with stem cell research at Duke, Harvard, and UCLA.

He told one patient, identified in court papers as M.E., that his treatment would drastically improve her symptoms from multiple sclerosis.

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Fake Brownsville doctor arrested in stem cell scheme

Southern California Medical Practice, TeleHealth, Now Offering Bone Marrow Derived Stem Cell Injections

Orange County, CA (PRWEB) September 16, 2013

The premier stem cell clinic in California, TeleHealth, is now offering bone marrow derived stem cell injections for numerous musculoskeletal conditions. The stem cell therapy is typically covered by insurance and is an excellent treatment for conditions such as degenerative arthritis, rotator cuff tendonitis, achilles tendonitis, tennis elbow and much more. For more information and scheduling, call (888) 828-4575.

TeleHealth offers treatment that is cutting edge and revolutionary. When it comes to regenerative medicine, bone marrow stem cell injections are excellent because they are outpatient, low risk and showing effective results. Being covered by insurance makes them additionally on the cutting edge at TeleHealth.

Stem cell therapy is the latest option for degenerative arthritis of the knees, shoulders, hips, ankles and more. Most treatments for arthritis until now have included excellent pain relief methods such as cortisone. However, the treatment has not altered the course of the disease, but simply acted as a "band aid" for pain relief. The bone marrow derived stem cell treatment has the potential to repair and regenerate arthritic joints.

Along with bone marrow derived injections, TeleHealth also offers fat derived stem cell injections along with platelet rich plasma therapy (PRP). These treatments have been revolutionary for pain relief and altering the course of the condition such as with tennis elbow, known as lateral epicondylitis. Most patients are able to avoid surgery and obtain pain relief.

To schedule with TeleHealth for treatments with bone marrow derived stem cell injections, call (888) 828-4575.

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Southern California Medical Practice, TeleHealth, Now Offering Bone Marrow Derived Stem Cell Injections

UC Davis stem cell researcher warns consumers to beware of unproven or dangerous stem cell treatments

In his day job, UC Davis scientist Paul Knoepfler probes the inner workings of stem cells and cancer cells and what makes them behave the way they do.

On the side, the father of three daughters blogs about costly, unproven stem cell treatments and provides guidance for those seeking experimental therapies.

Knoepfler is a rare stem cell researcher who regularly explores the most problematic aspects of stem cell therapies on the Internet in full public gaze. He considers himself an advocate for patients as well as a scientist, having survived an aggressive form of prostate cancer at the age of 42.

Now 46, Knoepfler began his blog in 2010, shortly after his cancer was diagnosed. His blogging has encountered resistance from some colleagues, who are uncomfortable with such public endeavors. But he has polished and expanded the blog to the point that it has received international recognition. He will receive an award in December at the World Stem Cell Summit in San Diego for his advocacy efforts.

This month he moved beyond cyberspace and published Stem Cells: An Insiders Guide (World Scientific Publishing). The book covers stem cells from A to Z and is aimed at the general reader, especially people considering stem cell therapy for themselves, a family member or friend.

The book comes during what has been described by Christopher Scott, a senior research scholar at Stanford University, as an epidemic of transplant clinics offering so-called cures and therapies both here and abroad. The international stem cell medical tourism business, widely promoted on the Internet, is taking in roughly $1 billion annually, according to an estimate in Stanford Medicine, a publication of the Stanford medical school.

Knoepfler is a believer in the potential and power of stem cells. But he says that some of the dubious stem cell treatments now being offered have resulted in deaths and injuries. Other unpleasant issues arise as well in stem cell research, including the tendency of some stem cells to generate cancer cells, and Knoepfler wants to talk about them.

Too often in the academic section of the stem cell field, people pussyfoot around the most important issues or do not even dare talk about them at all, says Knoepfler.

He is not on some crusade to dissuade people from getting risky stem cell procedures, but says safety and training need to be encouraged. Reckless behavior endangers the entire field, he says.

There is no better illustration of the risks of unlicensed stem cell treatments administered by untrained doctors than the recently reported case of a woman who received a stem cell facelift, only to have bone grow in her eye, he said, referring to a Scientific American report involving a Beverly Hills clinic.

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UC Davis stem cell researcher warns consumers to beware of unproven or dangerous stem cell treatments

Orange County Regenerative Medicine Clinic, TeleHealth, Now Offering PRP Therapy Covered by Insurance

Orange, CA (PRWEB) September 11, 2013

The top stem cell therapy clinic in Orange County, TeleHealth, is now offering PRP therapy for degenerative arthritis and soft tissue injuries. The treatment is covered by insurance and represents an excellent method of repairing and regenerating injured tissue rather than simply masking pain. For more information and scheduling, call (888) 828-4575.

PRP therapy has recently become extremely popular in orthopedics and pain management due to multiple studies showing its benefit. One of these studies out of Hospital for Special Surgery showed the treatment relieved knee pain long term from degenerative arthritis and also helped preserve knee cartilage.

TeleHealth offers platelet rich plasma therapy as an outpatient service, and the stem cell therapy clinic accepts most major medical insurances along with Medicare, Workers Compensation and Personal Injury liens. The PRP therapy has very low risk because it involves taking blood from the patient, processing it, and then injecting it into the problem area. The PRP then calls in the body's stem cells for repair and regeneration.

In addition to PRP therapy, TeleHealth also offers stem cell injection therapy with bone marrow derived stem cell injection treatment and fat derived as well. These treatments are also performed as an outpatient and involve utilizing a patient's own tissue so the risks are very low and there are no ethical concerns.

For those interested in receiving platelet rich plasma therapy for degenerative arthritis or soft tissue injury covered by insurance, call (888) 828-4575.

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Adult Stem Cells Programmed Into Embryonic State

Scientists in Spain said on Wednesday they had made mature cells in living mice revert to their youthful, versatile state, in a step toward the goal of tissue regeneration by stem cells.

Right now, the technique is at its earliest stage and is hedged with safety questions, which makes it impossible to envisage in humans.

But, said the researchers, it opens up a new strategy leading to a beguiling end: that one day damaged tissue will be healed by simply reprogramming nearby adult cells into replacements for the lost or diseased area. A transplant would not be needed.

Stem cells have excited huge interest in medical research.

They are immature cells that differentiate into the specialized cells that comprise and maintain the human body.

In 2006, a team led by Shinya Yamanaka in Japan announced a breakthrough.

A clutch of four genes introduced into adult cells in a lab dish rewound these cells back to their baby state.

These so-called induced pluripotent stem cells -- known by their acronym of iPS -- have since become the most closely-followed innovation in the field.

Despite many hurdles, they are seen by some as being even more promising than embryonic stem cells, the "gold standard" for versatility but a source hotly opposed by moral conservatives.

Reporting in the journal Nature, a team led by Manuel Serrano and Maria Abad of the Spanish National Cancer Research Center created genetically-modified mice that carried the four "Yamanaka genes."

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Adult Stem Cells Programmed Into Embryonic State

Stem cell treatment ‘worth it,’ but no cure for Cat Davis – Thu, 12 Sep 2013 PST

Seven months after undergoing a stem cell transplant, Cat Davis sports a short new haircut and a biggrin.

The hairstyle was necessary when all her hair fell out during chemotherapy, but the brilliant smile is her trademark. However, in recent years, she hasnt had much to smileabout.

Four years ago, the 2006 Northwest Christian School graduate was diagnosed with CREST syndrome, a combination of five diseases. The symptoms of CREST are associated with a generalized form of scleroderma, which literally means hard skin. The disease causes the immune system to attack and destroy healthytissue.

Her doctor

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Cat Davis photo

Cat Davis is shown in March after the stem celltransplant. (Full-size photo)(All photos)

Seven months after undergoing a stem cell transplant, Cat Davis sports a short new haircut and a biggrin.

The hairstyle was necessary when all her hair fell out during chemotherapy, but the brilliant smile is her trademark. However, in recent years, she hasnt had much to smileabout.

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Stem cell treatment ‘worth it,’ but no cure for Cat Davis - Thu, 12 Sep 2013 PST