Stem Cell Clinic

Kuur Therapeutics Launches to Develop and Commercialize Off-the-shelf CAR-NKT Cell Therapies Targeting Hematological and Solid Tumors – Business Wire

By adminMarch 10, 2020Stem Cell Medicine

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Kuur Therapeutics today announced the launch of its new business in partnership with Baylor College of Medicine and Baylors Center for Cell and Gene Therapy. Houston-based Kuur Therapeutics will advance the work of its predecessor, Cell Medica, to develop anti-cancer therapies using its innovative chimeric antigen receptor natural killer T cell (CAR-NKT) therapy platform.

IP Group, Baylor College of Medicine and Schroeder Adveq are investing to support two phase 1 studies: GINAKIT 2 (autologous CAR-NKT cells in neuroblastoma) and ANCHOR (allogeneic CAR-NKT cells in CD19 malignancy). The ongoing GINAKIT2 study is now enrolling patients at the third dose level and the ANCHOR study IND has recently been approved by the FDA, with first patient treatment expected in 1H 2020. The funding will also support the preclinical development of an allogeneic CAR-NKT product for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma, ahead of an IND submission anticipated in 1H 2021.

In conjunction with the new investment, Kevin S Boyle, Sr, was named CEO of Kuur, succeeding Chris Nowers. Mr Boyle joined Cell Medica as CFO in February 2018. Kevin previously held senior finance roles at both NASDAQ-listed and private equity backed companies. He is an accomplished capital markets professional, having raised over $2.0 billion in equity and debt capital.

Kuurs novel CAR-NKT platform is a next-generation technology of engineered immune cells with enhanced functions for the treatment of hematological and solid tumors. It utilizes the unique properties of NKT cells, a specialized type of innate lymphocyte, which shares properties with both T and NK cells. This platform, developed in the laboratory of Baylor Principal Investigator Leonid Metelitsa, is exclusively licensed to Kuur by its partner and collaborator, Baylor College of Medicine.

Annalisa Jenkins, Chair of Kuurs Board, said: We are fortunate to have Kevin step up to the role of CEO. He will act as a change agent, leading the company during a crucial period for our clinical trials and working to secure the additional capital required to progress our two lead CAR-NKT products through the clinic.

The Board would also like to thank Chris for his exceptional leadership during a transition period that has resulted in a company on the right path forward for its investors, with a focus on its important collaborations.

Kevin S Boyle, Sr, Kuurs CEO, said: I am excited to lead Kuur Therapeutics at such a pivotal moment. We are making final preparations to take our off-the-shelf program into the clinic and believe the allogeneic approach holds huge promise for unlocking the potential of CAR therapies for large patient populations. Compared with patient-specific autologous CAR products, it is immediately available for treatment and less expensive to manufacture.

Leonid S. Metelitsa, BCM Principal Investigator, said: My goal is to make a difference in the lives of cancer patients, especially children, and Im excited to be working with the Kuur team to make this goal a reality. I believe that the NKT-cell platform technology, developed in my laboratory and progressed to first-in-human clinical testing in close collaboration with colleagues at BCM and Texas Childrens Hospital, offers a unique route to next-generation off-the-shelf CAR therapies for a broad range of malignancies.

- ENDS -

Notes to Editors

About Kuur Therapeutics

Kuur Therapeutics, headquartered in Houston, is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on transforming the treatment of solid and hematological cancers by developing next generation chimeric antigen receptor-natural killer T cell (CAR-NKT) therapies. Developing a portfolio of primarily allogeneic therapies, the companys revolutionary platform spanning both hematological and solid tumors is being created in partnership with Baylor College of Medicine and Baylors Center for Cell and Gene Therapy.

For further information, please visit http://www.kuurtx.com. Follow Kuur Therapeutics on LinkedIn

About Kuurs CAR-NKT cell technology

One of the challenges with allogeneic therapies is that infusing a patient with donor-derived lymphocytes can induce graft versus host disease (GvHD), a potentially life-threatening condition in which the infused cells recognize the patients tissues as foreign. The NKT cells used in Cell Medicas CAR-NKT platform have an invariant T cell receptor (iTCR) that does not distinguish between self- and non-self tissues, making them unlikely to induce GvHD when given to another person. Kuurs CAR-NKT cells are also engineered to secrete IL-15, to prolong persistence and enhance anti-tumor activity.

Baylor has previously reported evidence of clinical activity and a good safety profile in neuroblastoma patients treated at low dose levels of autologous CAR-NKT cells at the 2019 American Society for Gene and Cell Therapy conference.

About Baylor College of Medicine

Baylor College of Medicine (www.bcm.edu) in Houston is recognized as a premier academic health sciences center and is known for excellence in education, research and patient care. It is the only private medical school in the greater southwest and is ranked 16th among medical schools for research and 5th for primary care by U.S. News & World Report. Baylor is listed 21st among all U.S. medical schools for National Institutes of Health funding and number one in Texas. Located in the Texas Medical Center, Baylor has affiliations with seven teaching hospitals and jointly owns and operates Baylor St. Lukes Medical Center, part of CHI St. Lukes Health. Currently, Baylor trains more than 3,000 medical, graduate, nurse anesthesia, physician assistant and orthotics students, as well as residents and post-doctoral fellows.

Follow Baylor College of Medicine on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/BaylorCollegeOfMedicine) and Twitter (http://twitter.com/BCMHouston).

About the Baylor College of Medicine Center for Cell and Gene Therapy

The Center for Cell and Gene Therapy at Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, and Houston Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas is led by Helen E Heslop, MD, DSc (Hon), Director and Malcolm K Brenner, MD, PhD, Founding Director. The Center for Cell and Gene Therapy provides an infrastructure to rapidly translate novel cell and gene therapy protocols from the laboratory to the clinic. The comprehensive approach of the center brings a wide variety of scientists and clinicians together to develop strategies for the treatment of cancer, HIV and cardiovascular disease. Patient facilities include the adult stem cell transplant unit at Houston Methodist Hospital and the pediatric stem cell transplant unit at Texas Children's Hospital.

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Kuur Therapeutics Launches to Develop and Commercialize Off-the-shelf CAR-NKT Cell Therapies Targeting Hematological and Solid Tumors - Business Wire

Century Therapeutics Announces Opening of Seattle Innovation Hub – Business Wire

By adminMarch 10, 2020Stem Cell Medicine

PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Century Therapeutics, developer of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived allogeneic cell therapies for cancer, today announced the opening of its Seattle-based Innovation Hub to develop next-generation product candidates that overcome barriers that have limited the effectiveness of cell therapies in solid tumor cancers.

The site will advance the companys novel iPSC science and allogeneic cell products by establishing expertise in data sciences and machine learning, synthetic biology, cancer biology and immuno-oncology. Centurys President of R&D, Hy Levitsky, M.D., will be based at the Seattle site, and together with Philadelphia-based Chief Scientific Officer Luis Borges, PhD., will oversee site operations and integration with the pipeline programs centered at Centurys Philadelphia headquarters.

The Innovation Hub supports not only Centurys continued pipeline growth and development, but also our expansion into Seattle, a center of excellence in cell therapies, said Lalo Flores, Chief Executive Officer of Century Therapeutics. I look forward to seeing the Century team grow, and am excited to have Luis and Hy leading the charge into this exciting new chapter.

Dr. Levitsky has extensive biotech industry experience, having previously served as Chief Scientific Officer at Juno Therapeutics in Seattle, as well as Head of Cancer Immunotherapy at Roche Pharma Research and Early Development. In addition, Dr. Levitsky earned his M.D. from Johns Hopkins University and has spent over 20 years on their faculty.

Dr. Borges has extensive cancer immunotherapy and cell therapy experience, having worked at Immunex, Amgen, Five Prime Therapeutics and Cell Medica, where as CSO he led the development of off-the-shelf CAR-cell therapies for the treatment of cancer in collaboration with the Baylor College of Medicine.

Centurys new Seattle Innovation Hub will provide the infrastructure needed to conduct in-depth analytics of product candidates in preparation for entry into the pipeline portfolio, said Dr. Levitsky.

The Hub will be key in realizing the potential of Centurys science to overcome limitations of first-generation cell therapies. Dr. Borges added, The Seattle and Philadelphia research laboratories will complement each other. With our current deep expertise in iPSC biology, immunology, cell and protein engineering, the new group in Seattle will help us transition to future generation products designed to have potent anti-tumor efficacy and robust safety windows.

About Century Therapeutics

Century Therapeutics is harnessing the power of stem cells to develop curative cell therapy products for cancer that overcome the limitations of first-generation cell therapies. Our genetically engineered, universal iPSC-derived immune effector cell products (NK, T, DC and macrophage) are designed to specifically target hematologic and solid tumor cancers. Our commitment to developing off-the-shelf cell therapies will expand patient access and provides an unparalleled opportunity to advance the course of cancer care. Century was launched in 2019 by founding investor Versant Ventures in partnership with Fujifilm and Leaps by Bayer. For more information, please visit http://www.centurytx.com.

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Century Therapeutics Announces Opening of Seattle Innovation Hub - Business Wire

NanoSurface Bio Executes Exclusive License of Heart-on-Chip Technology Launched Into Space – Yahoo Finance

By adminMarch 10, 2020Stem Cell Medicine

NanoSurface Biomedical announced today that it has executed an exclusive IP license agreement related to innovative heart-on-chip technology developed by researchers at the University of Washington (UW). An experimental system built from the same heart-on-chip technology was launched into space on Friday, March 6, 2020 at 11:50 PM EST aboard SpaceX's 20th resupply mission to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Tissue Chips in Space initiative conducted in partnership between the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) and the ISS U.S. National Laboratory (ISS National Lab). NanoSurface will commercialize the heart-on-chip platform for use by pharmaceutical companies in preclinical drug development.

The heart-on-chip system will spend 30 days aboard the ISS as part of a series of experiments intended to study the effects of microgravity on human cells and tissues. "In space we are using the heart-on-chip system in microgravity conditions to help improve our understanding of the aging process and cardiac biology, but this heart-on-chip system also has enormous potential for accelerating the discovery of new medicines back here on Earth," said Deok-Ho Kim, an Associate Professor of biomedical engineering and medicine at Johns Hopkins University, the principal investigator for the heart-on-chip experiment aboard the ISS, and the scientific founder of NanoSurface Bio.

The heart-on-chip platform uses three-dimensional engineered cardiac tissues (3D ECTs) grown from human cardiomyocytes, or beating heart cells, derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). As the 3D ECTs beat, researchers can measure the amount of force generated by each contraction, and then evaluate how that force changes after treating the tissues with candidate drugs. 3D ECTs can be made from cells from either healthy individuals or individuals with diseases, offering great promise in predictive preclinical testing of candidate drugs for safety and efficacy.

"I am incredibly excited that the talented team at NanoSurface will be carrying this technology forward for use in the drug development industry," said Nathan Sniadecki, one of the inventors of the heart-on-chip technology and a professor of mechanical engineering at UW. Last year, Professor Sniadecki joined NanoSurfaces board of scientific advisors to guide the commercial development of the technology.

NanoSurface Bios execution of this exclusive license adds significant value to the portfolio of IP it has already licensed from researchers at UW. "It is well recognized that the drug development process is extremely slow and expensive. At NanoSurface we are eager to develop technologies that enable the use of human iPSC-derived cells and tissues in preclinical drug development, ultimately leading to better prediction of how drugs will affect patients in the clinic, lowering costs, and speeding life-saving medicines to market," said NanoSurface CEO Michael Cho.

About NanoSurface Biomedical

NanoSurface Biomedical is a biotechnology company based in Seattle, WA that develops stem cell-based assay technologies to accelerate drug development. NanoSurfaces structurally matured cardiac tissue models, assay instruments, and discovery services leverage human stem cell technology to help pharmaceutical companies predictively assess the safety and efficacy of candidate drugs early during preclinical development. NanoSurfaces mission is to help bring life-saving medicines to market in less time and at lower cost. To learn more, visit http://www.nanosurfacebio.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200309005703/en/

Contacts

NanoSurface BiomedicalDirector of Sales & Marketing: Heejoon Choi, 800-913-4403 x702heejoon@nanosurfacebio.com

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NanoSurface Bio Executes Exclusive License of Heart-on-Chip Technology Launched Into Space - Yahoo Finance

Beating Heart Cells Experiment Was Sent to the International Space Station for Investigations – Dual Dove

By adminMarch 10, 2020Stem Cell Medicine

SpaceXs 20th and last resupply expedition to the International Space Station (ISS) under the current contract with NASA, took place on Friday. One of the new series of science experiments carried to the orbiting lab was small heart cells, as their potential to help people suffering from heart diseases is growing.

The mission launched on Friday night at 11:50 p.m. ET from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, and it comprised supplies, various experiments, and materials for ongoing research. The Dragon spacecraft also transported the European Space Agencys (ESA) Bartolomeo, an exteriorcommercial research platform.

Among the payloads were two different experiments on cardiomyocytes, or beating heart cells, developed from pluripotent stem cells. Pluripotent stem cells are excellent because they can be transformed into multiple cell types in this case, they could end up being healthy heart cells for a patient suffering from heart disease.

The results of the investigations could be used to develop numerous healthy heart cells for children and adults with various heart diseases. They could also be utilized to understand heart health and the aging pattern in a much larger framework. The scientists for one of the experiments believe their analysis could even help astronomers lower the risks they experience throughout a long-term spaceflight, such as reduced heart function and irregular heartbeat.

Scientists already know that humans exposed to space experience changes similar to accelerated aging, so we hope the results can help us better understand and someday counteract the aging process, said Deok-Ho Kim, a primary scientist for one of the experiments, and associate professor of biomedical engineering and medicine at Johns Hopkins University.

For the following months, the heart cells will be studied at the space lab before returning to Earth.

Chunhui Xu, an associate professor of pediatrics at the Emory University School of Medicine, first found that stem cells grow at an accelerated pace in space by simulating the lack of gravity on Earth.

According to Xu, stem cell therapies to mend harmed heart cells need at least one billion cells for each patient, but they take a lot of time to develop on Earth. When her experiment utilizing simulated microgravity on Earth suggested promising moves toward a quick and safe process of generating cardiomyocytes, Xu realized that space was the ideal proving ground.

Herexperimentwas selected to be transported to the space station, and she and her colleagues hope they can confirm their observation performed on Earth and also find new insights.

After the cells get thawed, cell cultures will develop for 21 days in the Multi-Use Variable-Gravity Platform experiment module on the orbiting lab. After they return to Earth, researchers in California will prepare them and have them transported back to Emory in Atlanta so experts can analyze them.

In the meantime, during the experiment taking place in space, a control group of cells will be laid in a centrifuge in an altered gravity environment on Earth.

Weve worked together for years to bring basic and clinical science together, said Dr. Kevin Maher, director of the cardiac intensive care unit at Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta Heart Center and professor of pediatrics at Emory University, who is also one of the researchers working with Xu on the experiment.

There is a high request on the cells themselves, as they have to be pure and high quality. Residual stem cells that cannot transform into heart cells can trigger tumors, as per earlier research led by Xu. More mature cells have a more promising chance of becoming pure heart cells.

While conducting her ground-based experiment in which she simulated a lack of gravity, Xu discovered that the cells were more mature and even showed survival genes that could secure cell survival. Overall, these causes would enable cells to link with the heart tissue better and produce fewer issues.

The effects of their research could help create a more effective and cost-efficient method of developing the heart cells on Earth for those in need. Considering that heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and not only the cells have a huge potential to treat children and adults.

Known for her passion for writing, Paula contributes to both Science and Health niches here at Dual Dove.

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Beating Heart Cells Experiment Was Sent to the International Space Station for Investigations - Dual Dove

Bias remains the biggest issue for women in medical research – Women’s Agenda

By adminMarch 10, 2020Stem Cell Medicine

Before her presentation at the Kirby Institute to a crowd of 100 guests, I pulled Dr Louise Purton aside to ask her a few questions about her career to date as a medical researcher in Australia.

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Inevitably, we touched on the subject of gender discrimination. When I asked Dr Purton, who leads the Stem Cell Regulation Laboratory at the University of Melbourne, what has been the most frustrating challenge in her line of work she answered quickly. Bias, she said.

There is still a lot of bias against women researchers, and the only way to improve things is to implement 50/50 funding for men and women, as well as set measures specifically for people of colour.

Dr Purton was one of four women in research and medicine invited by UNSW Medicine to share their career trajectories and discuss the ways they have balanced work as a professional and as family members with domestic responsibilities.

PhD candidate Kerith-Rae Dias kicked off proceedings by describing her unique position as a clinical genomics and neuroscience researcher and first generation woman of colour. She spoke of the indelible mark her parents made on her as a young person growing up in Bombay.

My father was a marine engineer and over the dinner table, hed quiz me and my brother on things like what is gravity, or, what is the speed of light? Dias remarked.

The family emigrated to New Zealand, where Dias explained she learned to change her accent according to the groups she was moving within, another example of a successful professional woman code-switching in order to fit in.

Dias obtained her undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in Auckland, before moving to Western Australia to pursue her Masters in Forensic Science.

Since then, she has travelled to London and Montreal on research projects. When she returned from having her first child, her employer advised her that her role no longer existed. She later discovered that the role had simply been re-titled. And the new person in the role? A young man who was less qualified than Diaz, who was earning a salary that was 40% more than what shed received before she went on parental leave.

There is a clear lack of inclusive structures for returning mothers, Dias said. And we need that to change. The needle is finally moving, as long as we continue to build on mentoring and sponsoring opportunities for women.

Dr Clare Arnott is a cardiologist at RPA, and shares parenting duties with her husband who is also a cardiologist.She told audiences that recently, her husband was told by a male senior medical professional that he was a good researcher, but youll never be brilliant, because you have a working wife.

There was a sharp inhale from audiences. Dr Arnott is one of a minority of women in cardiology. In fact, in Australia, only 15% of cardiologists are women.

What does equality mean to me? Dr Arnott asked. Id hope my gender is irrelevant to the tables I get invited to. I want to be me based on merit.

My biggest challenges have been having a child during advanced training, learning how to advocate for myself and finally, asking for help. When I got back from having a child, there was no discussion about altered work systems. I was scared to ask for help. Even while in a short amount of time, I went through seven episodes of mastitis. I was embarrassed that I was putting others through stress.

She told audiences not to forget that we all have a right to be supported.She also credited her career to joining the Franklin Women Mentoring Program, where she was mentored by leading female professionals. You must ask yourself constantly; Why was I not invited? How am I making myself seen? Am I doing enough to be seen?

Dr Louise Purton flew up from Melbourne to deliver her presentation on her pathway to career success. At three, she was diagnosed with severe intestinal abscess. The antibiotics that were used to treat her eventually caused severe hearing loss, and it was not until she was 19 when she had her first cochlear implant.

Dr Purton spoke of the importance of fighting despite adversities.

Having hearing difficulties didnt stop me from doing what I wanted to do, she said. It didnt stop me from reaching the top, as hard as its been.

Dr Purton battled through funding loss, professional abuse, betrayals and bias at all levels. Yet she persevered.

Bias is the biggest reason why were not getting supported, she said. Its critical we call out the bias and discrimination when we see it.

Dr Purton also believes that having more than one director in organisations will be better. Id like to see diversity and inclusivity in leadership roles simultaneously. With that, you get more understanding for what people go through, and have people think outside the box.

When audiences asked the panel what they think men can do to contribute to improving the reality for women in medicine, the panel agreed that a range of strategies can be approached.

Challenge yourself by being around people who are different, people who look and think different from you, Dr Arnott said. Be inclusive and challenge each other. We need the support and advocacy from men too.

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Bias remains the biggest issue for women in medical research - Women's Agenda

Global Stem Cell and Platelet Rich Plasma Alopecia Therapies Market 2020 Research by Business Analysis, Growth Strategy and Industry Development to…

By adminMarch 9, 2020Platelet Rich Plasma Injections

MRInsights.biz recently introduced Global Stem Cell and Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Alopecia Therapies Market Growth (Status and Outlook) 2019-2024 which is the representation of theStem Cell and Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Alopecia Therapies market area, presenting an unbiased approach at understanding the market trends and dynamics. The report helps the user understand the market in terms of its definition, segmentation, market potential, influential trends, and the challenges the market is facing. The rising trends within the international market that may profit every section throughout the forecast years are assessed. The report presents figurative estimates of the market condition along with CAGR. Leading key players have been covered to understand the applicable strategies adopted by them. Recent developments and trends have been analyzed to get clear insights about the existing scope of the companies.

Further, the report delivers a spacious base for various market-associated industries, firms, and organizations to direct and expand their business. It offers a detailed explanation of the factors that are expected to drive and restrain it. The report also demonstrates facts and figures about local consumption, import, and export. It covers the analysis of static as well as dynamic aspects of the businesses to understand the changing environment of the industries. In the production analysis, the Stem Cell and Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Alopecia Therapies market is examined based on the pricing of the products, the dynamics of demand and supply, total volume produced, and the revenue produced by the products.

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All key regions and countries are assessed here on the basis of company, type of product, and application covering Americas (United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil), APAC (China, Japan, , Korea, Southeast Asia, India, Australia), Europe (Germany, France, UK, Italy, Russia, Spain), Middle East & Africa (Egypt, South Africa, Israel, Turkey, GCC Countries)

Market segment by type, the product can be split into Platelet Rich Plasma Injections, Stem Cell Therapy

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Firstly, our authors interviewed various key sources of supply and demand to obtain qualitative and quantitative information related to this report. Important supply sources used during the research study include key industry participants, subject-matter specialists from key companies, and consultants from several major companies and organizations active in the market. Then, key information on the supply chain of the industry, the markets currency chain, pools of major companies, and market segmentation, with the lowest level, geographical market, and technology-oriented perspectives were explored. Secondary data was collected and analyzed to reach the total market size and was verified by the first survey.

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Second person ever to be cleared of HIV reveals identity – The Guardian

By adminMarch 9, 2020Stell Cell Research

The second person ever to be cleared of HIV has revealed his identity, saying he wants to be an ambassador of hope to others with the condition.

Adam Castillejo, the so-called London patient, was declared free of HIV last year, 18 months after stopping antiretroviral therapy following a stem cell or bone marrow transplant to treat blood cancer.

Castillejo, 40, went public on Monday in an interview with the New York Times and revealed he had been living with HIV since 2003.

In 2012 he was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukaemia and subsequently underwent a stem cell transplant. Crucially, the medical team picked a donor whose stem cells had two copies of a mutation that meant the white blood cells they developed into were resistant to HIV.

Timothy Brown, known as the Berlin patient and the first person to be cleared of the virus, underwent a similar treatment. However, while Brown and Castillejo had chemotherapy, only Brown had radiotherapy as part of his cancer treatment.

Last year it emerged the procedure had not only successfully treated the cancer, but that Castillejo was in remission for HIV as well. However, he chose to remain anonymous at the time.

I was watching TV and its like, OK, theyre talking about me, he told the New York Times. It was very strange, a very weird place to be.

Now Castillejo has decided to reveal his identity because he wants his case to be a cause for optimism. This is a unique position to be in, a unique and very humbling position, Castillejo said. I want to be an ambassador of hope.

Stem cell transplants are not suitable for most people with HIV because they involve a serious and invasive procedure that carries risks.

However, drug advances mean people who are HIV positive can take a pill every day to reduce their levels of the virus, preventing transmission and helping them to live a long and active life.

Prof Ravindra Gupta, the first author of the new study from Cambridge University, said Castillejos case was important: It is a second case of cure,. It means the first one wasnt an anomaly or a fluke.

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Second person ever to be cleared of HIV reveals identity - The Guardian

How wounded plants heal, survive – The Hindu

By adminMarch 9, 2020Stell Cell Research

Its hard life being a plant! From pathogens and herbivores to unfavourable weather, they are constantly injured or wounded and their sessile lifestyle only adds to the trouble. Despite all this, they heal and survive. How did they evolve such a great repair mechanism? What are the molecules and proteins aiding it? These were some of the questions an international team of researchers set out to answer and have now found some interesting mechanisms.

A paper recently published in Development shows that a protein named PLETHORA (PLT), which encodes stem cell promoting factors, helps in the regeneration of the vascular system at the site of injury. This protein binds to and activates the expression of another gene (CUC2). These two together increase the production of a plant growth hormone called auxin at the wound site. The combination of these proteins and hormones gives the plant the ability to repair wounds.

The corresponding author of the paper Kalika Prasad explains that the work spanned nearly a decade to create the right set of injuries mimicking those that plants encounter throughout their life and then hunt for the plant proteins that help in this essential quick fix. He is from the School of Biology at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research at Thiruvananthapuram (IISER-Tvm).

Though it was known that plants communicate within their different parts and with other plants during injury, not much was known about how they handle the injury. Though we carried out the initial studies on the roadside mustard plant, we noticed similar results when tested the using rice PLT protein too, he adds.

It was seen that the injury healed not just at the surface but the veins regenerated too. There was proliferation of the epithelial cells to seal the wounds and also functional restoration of tissue cells. The vein regeneration is very essential as transport of food, hormone, water, happens through it and any disruption may further hinder the plant growth, explains Dhanya Radhakrishnan, PhD scholar and first author of the paper from IISER-Tvm.

Another interesting find was that these two proteins did not play any role in the general development of vascular system but stepped into action only during its injury.

We were able to set up a mathematical model that gave us guidance that as the size of the wound changes the nature of the repair changes. The numerical simulations showed that after a particular size injury, the plant will be unable to regenerate or heal, adds Anil Shaji from the Department of Physics at IISER-Tvm. He is one of the authors of the papers and has set out to uncover the physical processes like the flow of hormones that are involved in this healing process.

We are now trying to find out all the different genes and pathways involved in the healing process and also the cellular reprogramming events. To decode if the daynight conditions affect this process would also be interesting, adds Anju P.S., a research scholar and one of the first authors of the paper from the institute. The researchers hope that in the future these genes can be produced in surplus to create plants that can withstand insect attack and other injuries.

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How wounded plants heal, survive - The Hindu

March 9, 2020 Global Stem Cell Therapy Market Set To Cross USD 4759.27 Million By 2024 – Galus Australis

By adminMarch 9, 2020Stell Cell Research

Latest Report Available at Zion Market Research, Global Stem Cell Therapy Market Set For Rapid Growth, To Reach Around USD 4759.27 Million By 2024provides pin-point analysis for changing competitive dynamics and a forward looking perspective on different factors driving or restraining industry growth. The globalStem Cell Therapy Marketresearch report is intended to help newbies as well as established market players to study and forecast this market at the global as well as regional level.Numerous important players are ruling the global market by holding a huge share of the global Stem Cell Therapy Market.

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Our Free Complimentary Sample Report Accommodate a Brief Introduction of the research report, TOC, List of Tables and Figures, Competitive Landscape and Geographic Segmentation, Innovation and Future Developments Based on Research Methodology

Some of the Major Stem Cell Therapy Market Players Are:

Anterogen Co., Ltd., RTI SurgicalInc., Pharmicell Co., Ltd., MEDIPOST Co., Ltd., JCR Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd., Holostem Terapie Avanzate S.r.l., NuVasiveInc., and AlloSource.

The data demonstrated in the report presents potential opportunities in the global Stem Cell Therapy Market. This assists users to make tactical moves, which lead to prospering their businesses. The report emphasizes the effect of a number of factors that can result in propelling or hindering the global as well as local Stem Cell Therapy Market. The latest research report offers the synopsis of important players who dominate the market. It includes numerous aspects such as their financial review, business strategies, as well as the latest developments in these companies.

The global Stem Cell Therapy Market research report presents a comprehensive market analysis including present market size, development rate, and value chain analysis. The segmentation of the global Stem Cell Therapy Market is done on a regional basis as well. To present a wide-ranging and competitive view of the global market, the report uses numerous methodological techniques including Porters Five Forces analysis.

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This research report analyses various segments product, its end-users, applications, and others of the market; additionally of the global Stem Cell Therapy Market. This segmentation is done on the basis of the current as well as potential inclinations in the global Stem Cell Therapy Market. The regional segmentation of the Stem Cell Therapy Market involves the current market situation in the region along with its potential projection. The global Stem Cell Therapy Market report presents a summary of anticipated market situations owing to changes in the topographical, technological, as well as economic elements.

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Total Chapters in Stem Cell Therapy Market Report are:

Chapter 1Overview of Stem Cell Therapy Market

Chapter 2Global Market Status and Forecast by Regions

Chapter 3Global Market Status and Forecast by Types

Chapter 4Global Market Status and Forecast by Downstream Industry

Chapter 5North America Market Status by Countries, Type, Manufacturers and Downstream Industry

Chapter 6Europe Market Status by Countries, Type, Manufacturers and Downstream Industry

Chapter 7Asia Pacific Market Status by Countries, Type, Manufacturers and Downstream Industry

Chapter 8Latin America Market Status by Countries, Type, Manufacturers and Downstream Industry

Chapter 9Middle East and Africa Market Status by Countries, Type, Manufacturers and Downstream Industry

Chapter 10Market Driving Factor Analysis of Low End Servers

Chapter 11Stem Cell Therapy Market Competition Status by Major Manufacturers

Chapter 12Stem Cell Therapy Market Major Manufacturers Introduction and Market Data

Chapter 13Upstream and Downstream Market Analysis of Stem Cell Therapy Market

Chapter 14Cost and Gross Margin Analysis of Stem Cell Therapy Market

Request Report TOC (Table of Contents) @https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/toc/stem-cell-therapy-market

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March 9, 2020 Global Stem Cell Therapy Market Set To Cross USD 4759.27 Million By 2024 - Galus Australis

Israeli Women Are Ahead In Biotech, But Don’t Have The Leadership Roles Just Yet | Health News – NoCamels – Israeli Innovation News

By adminMarch 9, 2020Stell Cell Research

NoCamels Hezekiah Bird, Shuli Finley, Katie Hemmons, and Shana Jacobson contributed to this report.

Women make up 60-70 percent of roles in the biotechnology sector in Israel, a number that has not changed in almost a decade, according to the Nisha group, an Israeli recruitment and placement firm that specializes in biotech, biomed, fintech, and cleantech. But while women are ahead in the field, leading research teams and heading clinical trials, men still dominate upper management and executive roles, Nisha noted in a comprehensive report focused on women in biotech that was first published in 2012.

On Sunday International Womens Day 2020 Lizi Shoov London, Nishas partner and managing director of the companys Biotech division, confirmed to NoCamels that the numbers have not changed.

SEE ALSO: Whats The Best Advice You Got? 5 Questions With 10 Israeli Women Innovators.

Professor Rivka Carmi, former president of the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev the first and only woman to hold this position at a university says that despite the expectations that the field would mature and more women would take on executive roles, this hasnt been the case yet.

There are a lot of female researchers involved in biotech companies, she tells NoCamels, but there are not enough women in leadership roles or who have their own startups. In a time where high-tech and biotech go hand in hand, Carmi says, women only make up a third of the pie, not 50/50. The latest High-Tech Human Capital Report 2019 published by Start-Up Nation Central and the Israel Innovation Authority last month showed that the rate of women employed in the sector is at a standstill at about 30 percent, with just 22 percent for technology positions and 18 percent for tech management roles.

Carmi, who made it her mission during her 12 years as BGU president to increase cooperation between academia and industry she called it applied research set out to work with government authorities to push major biotech initiatives that would potentially make the future of women as biotech leaders a reality. These initiatives included the National Institute For Biotechnology In The Negev (NIBN), established as a company in November 2009 through a trilateral agreement between the Israeli government, founder Dr. Edgar de Picciotto, and Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, to become the first independent research entity established under the auspices of a university in Israel.

While she didnt specifically do so to put women in executive biotech positions, this was very unusual at the time, she says of NIBNs mission to bridge the gap between basic and applied research, while figuring out how to go about commercializing novel ideas and technologies developed by NIBN researchers.

I see how difficult it is for women to get leadership roles, so I am very vocal about it, she says. Women are in the minority in terms of having their own biotech startups. Many of them have to balance career and family. Not many of them want to make that concession. Its a lot of work building a startup and attracting investors.

Every woman will tell you that she encounters obstacles, Professor Carmi tells NoCamels.

Israels biotechnology and life sciences industry is a fast-growing sector, with at least 1,600 companies, including nearly 1,400 companies that were established since 2009 (thats 139 companies every year), according to the 2019 Israeli Life Sciences Report from the Israel Advanced Technology Industries (IATI.) The sector, which employs 83,000 people across the country, according to the report, has seen upwards of $1.5 billion from investors.

Even so, Dr. Irit Yaniv says that the Israeli biotech sector is enriched with but not yet dominated by women.

Dr. Yaniv is a less typical example, as she calls herself. The accomplished medtech and biopharma executive is a co-founder and investor now serving as a managing partner for health care venture capital fund Accelmed Ventures II. Dr. Yaniv has held top-level positions as CEO of heart medical device firm Impulse Dynamics and Type 2 diabetes treatment firm Metacure and a number of chairperson and board member positions at various medtech, biotech, and life science companies. She also co-founded Type 2 diabetes firm Digma Medical and obesity treatment firm NitiNotes Surgical.

But she also knows firsthand the obstacles women run into in the biotech industry. We do see many women holding mid-level positions, however when it comes to C-level (specifically, CEOs and chairperson positions), the picture is not much different from other sectors, she says.

And there is so much room for improvement. Women are still lacking the extensive networking ties and some assistance from our peers, she tells NoCamels. Women, especially younger women, are keen for proper mentoring to assist them to grow and stay at the top. I believe developing the right networks as well as other soft skills, will make a difference in the long run.

Realizing the need for mentorship and a support network for both newbies and veterans in the industry, Dr. Yaniv co-established a forum called Life Science Women. The open forum, which got too big for WhatsApp and is now on Telegram and LinkedIn, aims to establish a womens network for professional topics in the life sciences space, including HR, content, questions, lectures, and education.

The forum currently includes 300 women who use it on a daily basis, Dr. Yaniv says, with questions such as Who is willing to give a presentation at a conference? or Who knows a great service provider for regulatory matters?

Dr. Yaniv also believes another gap that prevents women from reaching high-level positions is the dissonance between how women perceive themselves and their real competencies and capabilities. For that reason, Dr. Yaniv, together with Ronit Harpaz, co-founder and CEO of medical device company Endoron Medical, and the support of the 8400 The Health Network, with a mission to advance the healthcare and life science industry in Israel, will be establishing an academic organization for junior women who have been recognized as having the potential to reach key managerial positions in their organizations. The academy will focus on teaching soft skills, networking, and specific theoretical content. It will also feature inspirational talks from prominent role models and theory segments from professional speakers.

Working together with the talented women that made it to the top, I believe we can make the change and, in the future, see more women in C-positions, including directors, she says. My wish is that there will be no need for specific women guidelines for places like board of directors, as there will be enough women holding senior positions everywhere.

SEE ALSO: Annual Biotech Confab Highlights Role of Advanced Tech Rehabilitation

Professor Carmi and Dr. Yaniv are just a few of the Israeli women who have made great strides for women in biotechnology. As the world marked International Womens Day 2020 on Sunday, NoCamels wanted to highlight the women who are making an impact in the field.

Professor Shulamit Levenberg, dean of the Faculty of Biomedical Engineering at the Technion Israel Institute of Technology, is one of the worlds leading scientists in the field of tissue engineering. As the head of the 3D Bio-Printing Center for Cell and Biomaterials Printing, launched last year, Levenberg is poised to lead the Technions tissue engineering into new territory. Professor Levenbergs stem cell and tissue engineering research has shown that it is possible to generate tissues and blood vessels in a lab that can in the future be implanted and integrated into human hosts.

Professor Levenberg is also the co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Aleph Farms, a clean meat Israeli company that unveiled the worlds first lab-grown steak prototype grown from animal cells in Dec 2018. Founded in 2017, Aleph Farms has raised more than $14 million and is working to transform its prototype into a commercial product.

Professor Levenberg has co-authored more than 100 publications, including six in 2019. In 2007, she appeared on Scientific Americans list of 50 leading scientists, Last year, she was named one of 50 influential women in 2019 by Israeli magazine Lady Globes.

Dr. Ora Dar has almost three decades of science, tech, and management experience, including 13 years as the head of the life sciences sector at the Israel Innovation Authority (then the Office of the Chief Scientist.) She also spent 16 years on academic research and has been a venture capital consultant for over two decades.

Today, Dr. Dar leads the National Infrastructure Forum for Research and Development (Telem) at the Israel Innovation Authority. She is also among the leaders of the Israeli National Genomic and Personalized Medicine Initiative, which includes a research-oriented genomic-clinical database of 100K volunteers.

Dr. Dar co-chairs the annual MIXiii-BIOMED Conference and Exhibition, a leading biotechnology and healthcare conference for both Israeli and international professionals.

Dr. Nuha Higazi, a neurology doctor, is the CTO and co-founder of PamBio, a biotechnology company developing drug therapy for hemorrhagic stroke (intracranial bleeding and ICH) and other acute bleeding conditions.

The company, co-founded with her husband Professor Abd Higazi with the support of Hadassah Medical Centers technology transfer company Hadasit, was conceived as part of the Nazareth-based incubator (NGT)3 and has received $7 million in a Series A round and $3 million from both (NGT)3 and the Israel Innovation Authority since it was founded in 2014.

Dr. Higazi is also the CTO and co-founder of medical device company Plas-free, which has developed ClearPlasma, a medical device that helps coagulation and complex treatments for massive bleeding. The company was founded in 2017.

Professor Mouna Maroun researches PTSD on animal models while focusing on developmental differences at the Univerity of Haifas Sagol Department of Neurobiology. She heads the Universitys Laboratory for Neurobiology of Emotions.

In 2018, Professor Maroun was named by the business publication TheMarker as one of the top 20 women changing the face of the Israeli medical scene today.

As an Arab woman, my belief is that the revolution towards gender and ethnic equality starts top-down at academic institutions, she told the University of Haifa magazine in 2018. Recruiting outstanding women as faculty members Jewish, Arab, Ethiopian and Haredi especially in sciences and STEM [Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics] subjects is one of the first steps to ensure the representation of women in higher education and to convey a clear message to the younger generation that there is no glass ceiling for girls.

Since joining genomics-based cancer immunotherapy and diagnostic discovery company Compugen in 2002, Dr. Anat Cohen-Dayag has held numerous positions including vice president of R&D as she climbed up the ladder. In 2010, Dr. Cohen-Dayag was named Compugens president and CEO and has been on the companys board of directors since 2014.

Last month, Compugen announced the expansion of its cooperation agreement with international firm Bristol-Myers Squibb to conduct cancer treatment trials. This week, the company reported promising data from on ongoing Phase 1 trial of its lead product candidate, COM701, a first-in-class anti-PVRIG antibody, for the treatment of solid tumors.

Dr. Cohen-Dayag is also the director of the Israel Advanced Technology Industry (IATI), Israels umbrella organization of high-tech and life science industries, heading up more than 700 members from every level and aspect of the ecosystem including venture capital funds, R&D centers, and startup incubators.

Another biotech force is Dr. Kinneret Livnat-Savitzky, the CEO of Israeli biotechnology accelerator FutuRx Ltd established in 2014. She joined Compugens board of directors in 2018.

She previously completed a seven-year stint as CEO of clinical-stage, publicly-traded biopharma company BioLineRX, which focuses on oncology, as well as seven years as VP of biology at Compugen.

Professor Ester Segal is currently leading a research group focusing on the broad interface between materials science and biotechnology in the Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Engineering at the Technion Israel Institute of Technology. She is also head of the Esther Segal lab at the Technion, which implements a multidisciplinary approach that couples materials science with engineering, and chemistry with biotechnology to address problems in biotechnology, food engineering, and medicine.

Professor Segal is a recipient of the 2019 Advances in Measurement Science Lectureship Award for her work on photonic crystal sensing.

Last year, she was named among the top 50 most influential women in Israel in 2019 by Lady Globes magazine.

Nora Nseir is the co-founder and CTO of Nurami Medical, a medical device company with a breakthrough nanofiber and sealant technology for the soft tissue repair market. Nseir, a biomedical engineer co-founded the startup in 2014 with Dr. Amir Bahar, a multidisciplinary entrepreneur and neuroscientist. Nseir previously held R&D positions in the medical devices industry focusing on the development of bone grafts and hemostatic devices.

In 2015, she co-founded the Arab Women in Science forum, which encourages Arab women and girls in sciences and entrepreneurship.

In 2017 and 2018, Nseir was also included in the Lady Globes Women of Influence list.

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Israeli Women Are Ahead In Biotech, But Don't Have The Leadership Roles Just Yet | Health News - NoCamels - Israeli Innovation News