Stem Cell Clinic

NEJM study evaluates early stem cell transplants for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

PUBLIC RELEASE DATE:

30-Oct-2013

Contact: Jim Ritter jritter@lumc.edu 708-216-2445 Loyola University Health System

MAYWOOD, Ill. Performing early stem cell transplants in patients with aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma does not improve overall survival in high-risk patients, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

But early transplantation does appear to be beneficial among a small group of patients who are at the very highest risk, the study found.

Lead author is Patrick Stiff, MD, director of Loyola University Medical Center's Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center. The study was developed by the SWOG cancer research cooperative group and funded by the National Cancer Institute. Stiff is chair of the SWOG Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Transplantation Committee.

The traditional first-line therapy for aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is a combination of four chemotherapy drugs. In recent years, physicians have added a fifth drug, the monoclonal antibody rituximab. This five-drug regimen is known as R-CHOP. The treatment typically puts patients into remission. But many patients relapse and go on to get an autologous stem cell transplant after second-line chemotherapy.

The study was designed to determine whether doing an early stem cell transplant without first waiting to see whether a patient relapses -- would increase survival.

The clinical trial included 40 sites in the United States and Canada. In addition to SWOG, the study included the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group, Cancer and Leukemia Group B and Canadian NCIC Clinical Trials Group.

The study included 397 patients who were in defined groups of high risk or intermediate-high risk of relapsing. After initial chemotherapy, those who responded were randomly assigned to receive an autologous stem cell transplant (125 patients) or to a control group of 128 patients who received three additional cycles of the R-CHOP regimen. Enrollment began in 1999 and ended in 2007. (Some of the patients in the beginning of the study did not receive rituximab.)

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NEJM study evaluates early stem cell transplants for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Stem Cell Therapeutics Receives U.S. Orphan Drug Designation for the Use of Tigecycline to Treat Acute Myeloid Leukemia

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Oct 31, 2013) - Stem Cell Therapeutics Corp. (TSX VENTURE:SSS)(SCTPF), an immuno-oncology company developing cancer stem cell-related therapeutics, today announced that it has been granted Orphan Drug designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the use of tigecycline in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

Orphan Drug designation is granted to therapeutics treating rare diseases affecting less than 200,000 people in the U.S. The designation entitles the sponsor to seven years of market exclusivity as well as opportunities for additional funding and expert protocol assistance.

"Orphan Drug status significantly enhances the commercial potential of tigecycline in AML, a disease which is notoriously difficult to treat," said the company's Vice President, Drug Development, Dr. Penka Petrova. "Through its unique mechanism of action and synergy with existing AML therapies, tigecycline has the potential to positively impact the standard of care in this disease."

The company's program is based on Dr. Aaron Schimmer's published findings that tigecycline, an FDA-approved antibiotic, selectively targets leukemia cells and leukemic stem cells by inhibiting mitochondrial protein synthesis and thus shutting down the cells' energy supply. A Phase I Canadian and U.S. multicenter dose-escalation clinical trial in patients with relapsed or refractory AML is nearing completion.

"The Orphan Drug designation covers tigecycline as an active ingredient and is independent of the drug formulation," added Dr. Bob Uger, the company's Chief Scientific Officer. "We are investigating improved formulations of tigecycline, which we believe will be critical for the commercialization of this technology."

About Cancer Stem Cells:

The cancer stem cell (CSC) concept postulates that the growth of tumors is driven by a rare population of dedicated cells that have stem cell-like properties, including self- renewal. While the bulk of a tumor consists of rapidly proliferating cells and differentiated cells, neither of which is capable of self-renewal, a small population of CSCs provides for long-term maintenance of the cancer. Although the CSC concept was first postulated in the 1960s, it wasn't until 1994 that proof of their existence was demonstrated, when Dr. John Dick and colleagues in Toronto isolated CSCs (known as leukemic stem cells, or LSCs) from bulk acute myeloid leukemia cells. More recently, CSCs have been identified in many other human malignancies, including solid tumors such as bladder, brain, breast, colon, ovarian and prostate cancers. There is accumulating evidence that CSCs are resistant to conventional chemotherapies and radiation. Thus, CSCs are thought to be responsible for a phenomenon well known to oncologists: most patients will experience an initial response to conventional chemotherapies but will ultimately relapse. To cure cancer CSCs need to be destroyed, but the current armament of therapies is poorly equipped to do so.

About Stem Cell Therapeutics:

Stem Cell Therapeutics Corp. (SCT) is an immuno-oncology 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 prominent 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- cancer stem cell asset that recently completed a 28-patient Phase I trial in interstitial cystitis ("IC") patients. For more information, visit: http://www.stemcellthera.com.

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information:

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Stem Cell Therapeutics Receives U.S. Orphan Drug Designation for the Use of Tigecycline to Treat Acute Myeloid Leukemia

StemCells, Inc. Acquires Seminal Neural Stem Cell Patent Portfolio

NEWARK, Calif., Oct. 29, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- StemCells, Inc. (STEM) today announced the acquisition of a portfolio of issued US and Canadian patents to which it had previously held an exclusive worldwide license. The portfolio broadly claims the manufacture and proliferation of purified populations of human neural stem cells and their use as therapeutics and as tools for drug discovery. The acquisition relieves the Company of all milestone and royalty obligations under the license agreements for products claimed by the patents, such as products derived from the Company's proprietary HuCNS-SC(R) cells (purified human neural stem cells). The patents arose from the groundbreaking research of Samuel Weiss, Ph.D., and Brent Reynolds, Ph.D., while at the University of Calgary. As consideration for the portfolio, the Company will issue 139,548 shares of common stock to Neurospheres Holdings Ltd., an intellectual property holding company affiliated with the University of Calgary.

"These Weiss and Reynolds patents have been recognized time and time again as the seminal intellectual property pertaining to purified populations of human neural stem cells," said Martin McGlynn, President and Chief Executive Officer of StemCells, Inc. "The potential value of these patents continues to grow in light of the encouraging data emerging from the clinical trials of our HuCNS-SC cells, and acquiring them outright on these terms was in the best interests of our stockholders.

"Moreover, we have sued a competitor, Neuralstem, Inc., for patent infringement under six of these patents. In the litigation, four of the six patents were submitted by Neuralstem for reexamination by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. All four survived reexamination and we look forward to having the opportunity to prove our case of infringement against Neuralstem in court."

Key claims of the acquired patents include, among other things, cultures of neural stem cells derived from any source, including embryonic, fetal, juvenile, or adult tissue; compositions of matter, again regardless of the source of the cells and regardless of whether the cells were grown in either suspension or adherent culture or derived from induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell technologies. One of the acquired patents, U.S. Pat. No. 7,166,277, has a term extending to 2024 and claims the use of human neural stem cells to remyelinate endogenous host cells, such as to treat spinal cord injury.

About StemCells, Inc.

StemCells, Inc. is engaged in the research, development, and commercialization of cell-based therapeutics and tools for use in stem cell-based research and drug discovery. The Company's proprietary HuCNS-SC(R) cells (purified human neural stem cells) are currently in development as a potential treatment for a broad range of central nervous system disorders. In a Phase I clinical trial in Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease (PMD), a fatal myelination disorder in children, the Company has shown preliminary evidence of progressive and durable donor-derived myelination in all four patients transplanted with HuCNS-SC cells. The Company is conducting a Phase I/II clinical trial in chronic spinal cord injury in Switzerland, Canada and the United States, and has reported positive interim data for the first three patients. The Company is also conducting a Phase I/II clinical trial in dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in the United States. In addition, the Company is pursuing preclinical studies in Alzheimer's disease, with support from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM). StemCells also markets stem cell research products, including media and reagents, under the SC Proven(R) brand. Further information about StemCells is available at http://www.stemcellsinc.com.

Apart from statements of historical fact, the text of this press release constitutes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and is subject to the safe harbors created therein. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the prospect of enforcing the Company's intellectual property against infringers, the potential breadth and length of patent protection in the United States or in any other geography; the company's litigation prospects and potential recovery against Neuralstem; and the likelihood that any of the Company's intellectual property will be found to be valid and enforceable. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this news release. The Company does not undertake to update any of these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date hereof. Such statements reflect management's current views and are based on certain assumptions that may or may not ultimately prove valid. The Company's actual results may vary materially from those contemplated in such forward-looking statements due to risks and uncertainties to which the Company is subject, including uncertainties with respect to the fact that additional trials will be required to confirm the safety and demonstrate the efficacy of the Company's HuCNS-SC cells for the treatment of any disease or disorder; risks whether the FDA or other applicable regulatory agencies will permit the Company to continue clinical testing or conduct future clinical trials; uncertainties regarding the Company's ability to obtain the increased capital resources needed to continue its current and planned research and development operations and to continue its ongoing litigation against Neuralstem; uncertainties regarding the validity and enforceability of the Company's patents; litigation uncertainties; uncertainties as to whether the Company will become profitable; and other factors that are described under the heading "Risk Factors" disclosed in Part I, Item 1A in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 and in its subsequent reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K.

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StemCells, Inc. Acquires Seminal Neural Stem Cell Patent Portfolio

Southern California Stem Cell Clinic, TeleHealth, Now Offering Nonoperative Repair of Rotator Cuff Tears

Orange, California (PRWEB) October 28, 2013

The premier stem cell therapy clinic on the West Coast, TeleHealth, is now offering regenerative medicine options for patients with rotator cuff disorders. The stem cell treatments often provide pain relief and help patients avoid the need for surgery. For more information and scheduling, call (888) 828-4575.

Millions of Americans suffer from shoulder pain due to rotator cuff bursitis, tendonitis or tears. For an unfortunate few, conventional treatments are not able to alleviate the pain and surgery becomes necessary. The Board Certified doctors at TeleHealth are now offering nonoperative stem cell injection therapy as an outpatient to help patients obtain relief and repair.

The procedures involved options for bone marrow or fat derived stem cell injections along with platelet rich plasma therapy. The procedures are very low risk since the substance injected is actually harvested from the patient and then immediately processed prior to injection into the problematic shoulder.

Small published studies have been showing the benefits of stem cell therapy and PRP treatment for rotator cuff disorders. The injections can help athletes get back to competition quicker and avoid the months of rehab necessary after an arthroscopic procedure.

Some of the procedures are actually covered by insurance, which involves pre-authorization. This can significantly help lower the out of pocket expense to the patient. For more information and scheduling with the premier stem cell doctors on the West Coast regarding stem cells for a painful shoulder, call TeleHealth at (888) 828-4575.

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Southern California Stem Cell Clinic, TeleHealth, Now Offering Nonoperative Repair of Rotator Cuff Tears

'Sex drive slows' after stem cell transplantation

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New research suggests that complications and preparative procedures linked to stem cell transplantation may lead to sexual dysfunction in both men and women. This is according to a study published in the journal Blood.

Researchers from the City of Hope Cancer Research Hospital in Duarte, California, say that graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) - a complication that can arise after stem cell transplantation (SCT) when donor cells attack recipient cells - could be a cause of diminished sexual health.

Furthermore, they found a link between diminished sexual health in men and total body radiation - a preparation treatment administered prior to the SCT procedure.

Stem cell transplantation is a commonly used and effective form of treatment for those suffering from blood cancers, such as leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma.

The procedure involves taking stem cells either from a patient's own blood or bone marrow, or a matched donor, and replacing the patient's damaged cells with healthy cells.

The researchers note that previous studies have indicated that after this procedure, while a person may physically recover, their sexual health may be slower in returning to normal.

To look into this further, the researchers conducted a study to investigate the long-term effects of stem cell transplantation on sexual health.

The study involved 277 adults of a mean age of 48, of which 152 were men and 125 women. All patients underwent SCT for blood cancer at the City of Hope between 2001 and 2005.

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'Sex drive slows' after stem cell transplantation

BioTime Organizes New ESI BIO Division to Develop, Manufacture and Market the Company’s Cell-Based Research Products

ALAMEDA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

BioTime, Inc. (NYSE MKT: BTX) today announced changes to the organization and management of its research products business. The research products business will be consolidated into a new ESI BIO Division which shall be BioTimes primary developer, manufacturer and distributor for its growing portfolio of stem-cell-based research products. Jeffrey Janus, BioTimes Vice President of Sales and Marketing, will lead ESI BIO and has also been appointed as the CEO of BioTimes Singapore-based subsidiary ES Cell International Pte Ltd. (ESI Singapore) which will be a part of the ESI BIO Division. Mr. Janus has over 30 years of experience in the cell-based biotechnology industry, serving in various executive and board level positions.

ESI BIO will manufacture and market the ESI human embryonic stem (hES) cell lines developed by ESI Singapore, PureStem human embryonic progenitors, HyStem hyaluronan-based hydrogels, and kits for stem cell differentiation and reprogramming. ESI BIO also plans to develop additional new PureStem human embryonic progenitors and HyStem products, and will work with BioTimes LifeMap Sciences, Inc. subsidiary to develop and market a new database product. LifeMap Sciences will continue to use its BioReagents website to market BioTimes PureStem progenitor cells and reagents and the ESI hES cell lines, as well as any new research products developed or acquired by the ESI BIO Division. However, ESI BIO will take on a larger role in managing the LifeMap BioReagents website. These research products will be designed to assist researchers in their goals of translating their discoveries to the clinic, thus facilitating the regulatory pathway for ESI BIOs customers in their path from research to clinical trials.

ESI Singapore created the worlds firstclinical grade hES cell lines under conditions designed to be compliant with principles of current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), making them suitable for use in clinical research and regenerative medicine. BioTime acquired ESI Singapore in May 2010 and has since made ESI Singapores clinical and research grade hES cells available to scientists worldwide. ESI Singapore plans to provide existing PureStem embryonic progenitor cells along with its clinical-grade hES cells to researchers in the Pacific Rim nations. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNCz238w4ss).

Cell-based discoveries with the potential to cure human diseases must ultimately be acceptable to regulatory agencies. We plan to continue to expand ESI BIOs historic role in providing products giving scientists the highest chance that their research results will be translatable to the clinic, said Mr. Janus. ESI BIOs human embryonic stem cell lines and its HyStem hydrogels are available either as economic research grade products or as clinical grade products. Its novel PureStem clonally pure embryonic progenitors form potentially therapeutic tissues not formed by adult stem cells. These products illustrate ESI BIOs growing platform of state of-the-art products that are pure, precisely identified, and give a high level of assurance that cell-based discoveries will be clinically compliant.

BioTime's CEO Dr. Michael West stated, By providing ESI BIOs products to the research community, we not only have the opportunity to generate near-term revenues, but we also allow academic researchers to perform research on the manifold uses of the cells with federal and state funding. The goal is to establish our research products as industry standards for a wide array of medical research.

About BioTime

BioTime is a biotechnology company engaged in research and product development in the field of regenerative medicine. Regenerative medicine refers to therapies based on stem cell technology that are designed to rebuild cell and tissue function lost due to degenerative disease or injury. BioTimes focus is on pluripotent stem cell technology based on human embryonic stem (hES) cells and induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. hES and iPS cells provide a means of manufacturing every cell type in the human body and therefore show considerable promise for the development of a number of new therapeutic products. BioTimes therapeutic and research products include a wide array of proprietary PureStem progenitors, HyStem hydrogels, culture media, and differentiation kits. BioTime is developing Renevia (a HyStem product) as a biocompatible, implantable hyaluronan and collagen-based matrix for cell delivery in human clinical applications. In addition, BioTime has developed Hextend, a blood plasma volume expander for use in surgery, emergency trauma treatment and other applications. Hextend is manufactured and distributed in the U.S. by Hospira, Inc. and in South Korea by CJ CheilJedang Corporation under exclusive licensing agreements.

BioTime is also developing stem cell and other products for research, therapeutic, and diagnostic use through its subsidiaries:

To receive ongoing BioTime corporate communications, please click on the following link to join our email alert list: http://news.biotimeinc.com.

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BioTime Organizes New ESI BIO Division to Develop, Manufacture and Market the Company’s Cell-Based Research Products

Life Stem Genetics Strengthens Its Executive Advisory Board by Adding MBAs Matthew Sullivan and Shahab Bakhtyar

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Life Stem Genetics Inc., an emerging innovator in the advancement of Adult Stem Cell therapy, is pleased to announce that Matthew Sullivan, COO of global heath products company Asana International, and Shahab Bakhtyar, an independent medical business consultant with global experience, have joined Life Stems Executive Advisory Board.

Established earlier this year, the Executive Advisory Board has become a cornerstone of Life Stems global stem-cell growth model by actively retaining influential business leaders with broad backgrounds in corporate development and finance in our targeted industries with a focus on business expansion into Canada, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

Matthew Sullivan, BA, MBA, is a corporate finance specialist who has worked with numerous early-stage and well-established companies in operations as well as strategic and financial planning. Matthews background is in venture capital and business analysis. His role has ranged from business planning/implementation, M&A, market analysis to operational implementation. He is currently COO of Asana International, a global health products company, CFO of Kat Gold Holdings, a publicly traded gold production and exploration company based in Ghana, and CFO of Travelvu, a business that places smart devices in hotel rooms. Matthew holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of British Columbia, Canada, and an MBA from Dalhousie University, Canada.

Shahab Bakhtyar, MBA, is an independent business consultant with a focus on expansion and financing of small to medium sized businesses. In the last 15 years, Mr. Bakhtyars consultancy has focused mainly on Western Canada where he includes medical/health service providers among his clientele. Prior to establishing his business in Canada, Mr. Bakhtyar worked in Dubai, UAE. Included among his clients were Emirate Air and FIFA to whom he provided marketing and advertising services. Mr. Bakhtyar holds an MBA from Queens University, Canada. He has traveled to over 63 countries and maintains a strong international network of business contacts with a focus throughout the Middle East and Canada.

The addition of Matthew and Shahab to our advisory board aligns with our goal of developing a team of advisors who share our core values and can help us attain our growth initiatives in the rapidly advancing Adult Stem Cell therapy business sector, says Gloria Simov, president and CEO of Life Stem Genetics. Life Stem will greatly benefit from the depth of industry expertise and overall business acumen that both Matthew and Shahab bring, and we look forward to their value-added contributions as we continue to build our base of stem cell clinics throughout the world.

About Life Stem Genetics

Life Stem Genetics (LSG) is a progressive healthcare company focused on Adult Stem Cell (ASC) healing therapies. For decades, stem cells have been utilized in the successful treatment of a variety of ailments. Today, advanced ASC therapies are being offered to patients as an efficient and painless alternative treatment for a wide range of ailments including, but not limited to, orthopedic injuries, neurological disorders such as Parkinsons and Alzheimers, cancer, arthritis, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, as well as age management. Adult Stem Cell therapies and LSGs proprietary techniques are experiencing some of the best results in the industry in helping to repair or reprogram damaged or diseased tissues and organs. Life Stems ASC specialist has performed thousands of stem cell treatments including some of the top names in PGA golf, NFL football, NBA basketball, and Major League Baseball. LSG will offer its proprietary treatments through a series of affiliate doctors and medical clinics with 60 affiliated clinics thus far. LSGs mission is to develop a comprehensive approach to the treatment and maintenance of diseases while breaking free from the medical insurance maze by tapping into an affordable private-pay sector.

Contrarian Press, the publisher, has been engaged by Life Stem Genetics to assist with identification of potential market participants who may be interested in learning more about the company and its securities. Updated disclaimer and disclosure information is available at the publisher's website listed above and at the following link:

http://www.contrarianwealthcoalition.com/guide/LIFS.pdf

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Life Stem Genetics Strengthens Its Executive Advisory Board by Adding MBAs Matthew Sullivan and Shahab Bakhtyar

'Radical' stem cell trial offers hope for MS sufferers

Oct. 27, 2013, 3 a.m.

Jason McIntyre's autoimmune system is dead. The rest of him isn't feeling much better. Eleven days ago he underwent an aggressive chemotherapy, not for the sake of killing cancer - but to knock out every skerrick of protection his body has against infection.

Sitting in a freezer were 35 million stem cells that were shaken from Mr McIntyre's bone marrow by a combination of drugs. These were filtered from his blood about three weeks ago. That process, he says, left him with aching bones. It was his birthday.

If he survives long enough - that is, if a piece of dust doesn't get in his eye and spark a fatal infection - the stem cells will this week be returned to his body, as building blocks for a brand new autoimmune system.

Mr McIntyre, 37, is only the sixth patient with multiple sclerosis to undergo this experimental therapy - known as an autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplant - in a small trial being conducted by St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney.

Thousands of stem cell transplants are performed worldwide to treat certain blood cancers in patients who have become resistant to regular therapies - but the numbers of MS sufferers treated with a stem cell transplant are in the hundreds.

It's a strategy reserved for people like Jason McIntyre whose form of MS is very aggressive and resistant to drug therapy.

About three years ago, the Melbourne truck driver arrived home with blurry vision. He told his wife, Kym, that he couldn't read the number plates on cars. Soon after, following a session at the gym, he was ''boiling hot and his vision went blurry again''.

Kym McIntyre says it all happened pretty quickly. He started dragging his left foot. He couldn't unscrew bottle tops and lost his co-ordination.

An eye doctor recognised the problem as multiple sclerosis, but Mr McIntyre was told by a specialist that he'd have to wait for another attack - another lesion on the brain to develop - for the diagnosis to be confirmed.

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'Radical' stem cell trial offers hope for MS sufferers

Stem cell technology put to work in search for hair treatments

Acure for baldness doesn't leap to mind when one ponders the next advance in stem cell research, but whoever manages to do it stands to become very rich.

Scientists around the world have already grown liver and brain cells in the laboratory using cell samples from humans. Others - including some working for a Vancouver-based company - are hard at work trying to find a way to nurture new hair growth on shiny heads.

"It's a market where people spend a ton of money," says David Hall, CEO of RepliCel Life Sciences Inc., a biotech firm with offices in downtown Vancouver that has attracted the attention of Japan's Shiseido Co.

The cosmetic giant paid $4.2 million in July to share Repli-Cel's research on a highly speculative technology for treating hair loss.

Hall, who says his own flowing locks have no high-tech enhancement, acknowledges that plenty of people think hair-cloning research is frivolous. But those usually aren't people who are losing their hair, particularly at a young age.

"It's just not perceived as a medical need, but I think there are a lot of people who would say it's important to them," Hall says. "There's definitely a mental health aspect for young men and for women in their 30s and 40s. It can be very devastating to their self-esteem."

Hair transplants are still the "gold standard" for hair restoration, he says, but their success relies on the skill of the surgeon and a supply of healthy follicles from elsewhere on the scalp.

The RepliCel technique was pioneered by company cofounders Dr. Rolf Hoffmann, a German dermatologist, and Vancouver researcher Kevin McElwee. Hair follicles are harvested from the back of a person's scalp, where hair is typically resistant to the hormone that causes baldness. That tissue is transferred to the lab, where researchers isolate dermal sheath cup cells from the base of the follicle. Those cells are replicated by the millions over a period of three months, later to be injected into bald areas at the top of the scalp using a specially designed device.

"What initially attracted me to this concept is it's not a drug," says Hall. "The treatment uses the patient's own cells to replace hormone-compromised hair follicle cells in the bald areas. The concept of treating cellular deficits with your own cells is elegant. It's the same concept we're using in our other treatment in development for chronic tendinosis."

The company hopes to have a clinical trial with 120 men test the procedure in Germany in coming months as it works its way through regulatory requirements that could ultimately lead to licensing in Europe, the U.S. and Japan. It has already completed an initial trial of 19 subjects that found no serious adverse reactions six months after injections.

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Stem cell technology put to work in search for hair treatments