Stem Cell Clinic

BrainStorm’s CEO Issues Annual Letter to Shareholders

By Stem Cell Treatment

NEW YORK & PETACH TIKVAH, Israel--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics (BCLI), a leading developer of adult stem cell technologies for neurodegenerative diseases, announced today that its CEO, Dr. Adrian Harel, has issued an Annual Letter to Shareholders summarizing the companys extremely significant developments of 2012:

Dear BrainStorm Shareholders,

2012 has been a pivotal year for BrainStorm, as the company has achieved the most significant milestones since its inception. Weve made dramatic progress in our clinical trials, establishing the safety of NurOwn cells in a first group of ALS patients and demonstrating promising indications of clinical improvement in some patients. As a result weve been fast-tracked to a Phase IIa preliminary efficacy trial after only one year of testing. Weve also made key advances in product development, and secured the largest amount of financing in any single year of operations. I am proud to share with you the major highlights of the past twelve months:

I. Clinical Trials Progress

In early June, we performed the 12th ALS patient transplantation in our Phase I/II clinical trial with NurOwn at Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem. In July, we submitted a positive interim safety report to the Israeli Ministry of Health (MOH) on the first 12 ALS patients in the study, demonstrating that treatment was well-tolerated and that there were promising indications of clinical improvement in some of the patients.

Just as we welcomed in 2013, the MOH approved acceleration to a Phase IIa dose-escalating trial to further evaluate the safety and preliminary efficacy of NurOwn treatment. In the Phase IIa trial, which we are launching this month, a second group of 12 patients will receive combined intramuscular and intrathecal administration of NurOwn cells in three cohorts, with increasing doses. The study participants, who have already been recruited, will be monitored for three to six months after transplantation.

In addition, preparations are well underway for a Phase II clinical trial in the USA, scheduled for 2013, pending FDA approval.

II. Advances in Product Development

In December 2012, we signed a strategic agreement with Octane Biotech of Kingston, Ontario, to jointly develop a proprietary bioreactor for production scale-up of NurOwn. The customized bioreactor will enable us to significantly increase our production capabilities by using a single clean room for multiple patients, reducing costs and time. We are very excited to be working with Octane, given their expertise in developing automated production processes for mesenchymal cell therapy technologies. The project is currently being launched.

Read the original post:
BrainStorm’s CEO Issues Annual Letter to Shareholders

Vitro Biopharma Launches New Stem Cell Products to Accelerate Bone Growth

By Stem Cell Treatment

GOLDEN, Colo., Jan. 22, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vitro Diagnostics, Inc. (VODG), dba Vitro Biopharma, announced the launch of a series of products with application to accelerated bone growth, fracture healing and development of new osteoporosis drugs. The new products are osteoblasts derived from human adult stem cells known as mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). These cells lead to bone growth and function to maintain bone density and in the recovery from bone fractures. Osteoporosis, a disease characterized by reduction in bone density is thought to result from decreased osteoblast production by MSCs; bone growth necessary for repair of bone fractures also depends on osteoblasts. The new products include native and labeled MSC-derived human osteoblasts in various formats including fluorescent and magnetic cells for use in different imaging methods. For example, magnetic osteoblast cells labeled with super paramagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) may be used for in-vivo imaging of osteoblasts using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) a common clinical imaging procedure. The availability of native and multiply-labeled osteoblasts provides numerous options to conduct in-vitro high throughput screening cell assays and to coordinate these studies with in-vivo studies.

Dr. Jim Musick, Vitro Biopharma's President & CEO, said, "We are pleased to announce commercial availability of our MSC-derived human osteoblasts, the latest in our line of MSC-derived differentiated cells intended for applications in drug discovery and development as well as regenerative medicine. Diseases and injury to the skeletal system pose significant health risk and impairment of function. The incidence of osteoporosis continues to rise with the aging population. Bone fractures are common injuries requiring long healing times and significant loss of production. Improved treatment of osteoporosis and accelerated recovery from bone fractures both provide significant health benefits. We are pleased to offer our new products to assist in the achievement of these objectives. We have additional related products in our pipeline and plan to engage in animal studies in the near future to determine the application of our new products to accelerated healing and regenerative medicine."

About Vitro Biopharma

Vitro Diagnostics, Inc. dba Vitro Biopharma (OTCQB:VODG; http://www.vitrobiopharma.com), owns US patents for production of FSH, immortalization of pituitary cells, and a cell line that produces beta islets for use in treatment of diabetes. In 2011, Vitro Biopharma out-licensed its intellectual property related to treatment of infertility to Dr. James Posillico, a renowned expert in Assisted Reproductive Technologies. Vitro Biopharma also owns a pending US patent for generation of pluripotent stem cells and an additional pending patent for methods of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) generation and related materials. Vitro Biopharma's mission is "Harnessing the Power of Cells(TM)" for the advancement of regenerative medicine to its full potential. Vitro Biopharma operates within a modern biotechnology manufacturing, R&D and corporate facility in Golden, Colorado. Vitro Biopharma manufactures and sells "Tools for Stem Cell and Drug Development(TM)", including human mesenchymal stem cells and derivatives, the MSC-Gro(TM) Brand of optimized media for MSC self-renewal and lineage-specific differentiation. In addition to our FSH patent licensee, Vitro Biopharma maintains several strategic partnerships including an alliance with Neuromics, Inc. (www.neuromics.com). Neuromics, Inc. is a primary distributor of Vitro Biopharma products and a well established manufacturer and distributor of a large variety of life science research products especially focused on cell-based assay systems We jointly manufacture stem cell assay systems with HemoGenix(R), Inc. (http://www.hemogenix.com/), known as the LUMENESC(TM) quantitative assay for determination of MSC quality, potency and response to toxic agents. Stemgenesis, Inc. (http://www.stemgenesisinc.com ) is a Chinese-based firm with operations in Qingdao, Shandong Province, China and with US operations in Sacramento, CA. Vitro Biopharma has an agreement with Stemgenesis, Inc. for distribution of its stem cell products into select Chinese provinces. Also, Vitro Biopharma's CEO is a consultant on an NSF grant at the City College of New York to advise Dr. Lane Gilcrest, Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, and his colleagues regarding the development of novel extracellular materials for use in self-renewal and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells.

Safe Harbor Statement

Certain statements contained herein and subsequent statements made by and on behalf of the Company, whether oral or written may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward looking statements are identified by words such as "intends," "anticipates," "believes," "expects" and "hopes" and include, without limitation, statements regarding the Company's plan of business operations, product research and development activities, potential contractual arrangements, receipt of working capital, anticipated revenues and related expenditures. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, among others, acceptability of the Company's products in the market place, general economic conditions, receipt of additional working capital, the overall state of the biotechnology industry and other factors set forth in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Most of these factors are outside the control of the Company. Investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Except as otherwise required by applicable securities statutes or regulations, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly these forward looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

CONTACT:

Dr. James Musick

Chief Executive Officer

Vitro Biopharma

Read more from the original source:
Vitro Biopharma Launches New Stem Cell Products to Accelerate Bone Growth

Vistagen Therapeutics Successfully Completes Final Phase 1 Safety Study of AV-101

By Stem Cell Treatment

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CA--(Marketwire - Jan 23, 2013) - VistaGen Therapeutics, Inc. ( OTCQB : VSTA ), a biotechnology company applying stem cell technology for drug rescue, predictive toxicology and drug metabolism screening, today announced the successful completion of its final Phase 1 safety study of AV-101, a novel orally available prodrug candidate being developed for treatment of multiple conditions involving chronic neuropathic pain.The study results indicate that AV-101 is safe and well tolerated, with favorable bioavailability and pharmacokinetics.

"This important confirmation of AV-101's safety is the final step in our Phase 1 program for AV-101," said Shawn K. Singh, JD, VistaGen's Chief Executive Officer. "With $8.8 million of funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and outstanding strategic development and regulatory support from Cato Research Ltd., we have successfully completed the required studies enabling Phase 2 clinical development of AV-101 for multiple large market neurological diseases and conditions.In addition, recent data from the NIH suggest that the same neural pathway modified by AV-101 may be useful for treating depression.Launching a broad strategic collaboration to advance development and commercialization of AV-101 is among our key goals in 2013."

About the Final AV-101 Phase 1 Safety Study

VistaGen's final AV-101 Phase 1 safety study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-escalation clinical trial conducted at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD).The study involved three cohorts of healthy volunteers, each receiving multiple daily treatments of one of three dose levels of orally administered AV-101 over a 14-day period. The primary objectives of the study were to evaluate the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics (PK) of three different daily doses of AV-101 compared to placebo controls.A total of 46 healthy volunteers completed the study.The oral administration of AV-101 was safe and well tolerated by all subjects at all three dose levels tested.In addition, the PK of AV-101 was fully characterized across the range of three dose levels in the study.The data indicate that AV-101 had good bioavailability and a favorable PK profile.

"The primary safety and tolerability endpoints of the Phase 1 program were met.This is a very safe compound with no observed side effects," commented Mark S. Wallace, MD, Chair of the Division of Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology at UCSD and the principal investigator of the study."AV-101 is an exciting prodrug compound that acts through a promising mechanism to treat pain.I am excited to move this compound into Phase 2 studies for the treatment of pain."

About AV-101

Aimed at multi-billion dollar neurological disease and disorders and depression markets, AV-101, also known as "L-4-chlorokynurenine" (4-Cl-KYN), is a novel, orally available prodrug that is converted in the brain into an active metabolite, 7-chlorokynurenic acid (7-Cl-KYNA), which regulates an important neurotransmitter in the brain called the N-methyl-D-aspartate (or NMDA) receptor.A synthetic analogue of kynurenic acid, a naturally occurring neural regulatory compound, 7-Cl-KYNA is one of the most potent and selective blockers of the regulatory GlyB-site of the NMDA receptor.

VistaGen's AV-101 IND application covers clinical development for neuropathic pain. In addition to neuropathic pain, VistaGen expects the results of its Phase 1 clinical program to be useful for supporting the development of AV-101 for other neurological disorders including depression and epilepsy.

About VistaGen Therapeutics

VistaGen is a biotechnology company applying human pluripotent stem cell technology for drug rescue, predictive toxicology and drug metabolism screening. VistaGen's drug rescue activities combine its human pluripotent stem cell technology platform, Human Clinical Trials in a Test Tube, with modern medicinal chemistry to generate novel, safer chemical variants (Drug Rescue Variants) of once-promising small molecule drug candidates. These are drug candidates discontinued by pharmaceutical companies, the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) or university laboratories, after substantial investment in discovery and development, due to heart or liver toxicity or metabolism issues. VistaGen uses its pluripotent stem cell technology to generate early indications, or predictions, of how humans will ultimately respond to new drug candidates before they are ever tested in humans, bringing human biology to the front end of the drug development process.

Follow this link:
Vistagen Therapeutics Successfully Completes Final Phase 1 Safety Study of AV-101

Tuning stem cell fate: Researchers uncover epigenetic mechanisms of embryonic stem cell pluripotency and differentiation

By Stem Cell Treatment

Jan. 22, 2013 The research group of Luciano Di Croce, from the Center for Genomic Regulation (CRG) in Barcelona (Spain), has discovered that RYBP and CBX7, two proteins essential for gene regulation, are at the heart of the most critical decision faced by embryonic stem cells: what type of cells to become. These findings, published in the last issue of Cell Reports, shed light on the molecular mechanisms involved in stem cell biology and might have important therapeutic implications.

Stem cells are the precursors of our tissue and organs. Using them could be highly promising for regenerative medicine, yet little is known about the mechanisms that regulated the potential of stem cells to give rise to the different cell types within organisms.

The Polycomb repressive complex 1 (PRC1) is an epigenetic regulator essential for stem cell function and cancer progression. It has only recently become clear that PRC1 comes in different flavors, depending on which specific proteins are incorporated into it (such as either CBX7 or RYBP). However, whether or not these PRC1 subtypes carry out different biological functions was unclear. This work, headed by Lluis Morey in the Di Croce group, has taken an important step in clarifying this question.

Using the most advanced sequencing technology, Di Croce and his coworkers analyzed 2.64 billion DNA nucleotides from mouse embryonic stem cells to determine which regions are controlled by PRC1-RYBP as compared to PRC1-CBX7. Both complexes shared some biological functions. Surprisingly, however, the two complex subtypes also performed distinct functions. We were able to show that these two complex subtypes can have different roles, with one involved more in metabolism and the other more in development, commented Morey.

Understanding the extent to which the different PCR1 subtypes carry out the critical decisions that determine cell fate presents the next large goal. We are lucky to be able to address these questions within a network of experts in our European FP7 4DCellFate project, since we believe that the answers will be important for understanding how to implement stem cells into therapeutic applications, stated Di Croce.

Share this story on Facebook, Twitter, and Google:

Other social bookmarking and sharing tools:

Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Centre for Genomic Regulation.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

Read this article:
Tuning stem cell fate: Researchers uncover epigenetic mechanisms of embryonic stem cell pluripotency and differentiation

Stem Cells – A Medical Dictionary, Bibliography, And Annotated …

By Stell Cell Research

Jan 23

Stem Cells A Medical Dictionary, Bibliography, And Annotated Research Guide To Internet References http://www.tradebit.com Stem Cells A Medical Dictionary, Bibliography, And Annotated Research Guide To Internet References Icon Health Publications This is a 3-in-1 reference book. It gives a complete medical dictionary covering hundreds of terms and expressions relating to stem cells. It also gives extensive lists of bibliographic citations. Finally, it provides information to users on how to update their knowledge using various Internet resources. The book is designed for physicians, medical students preparing for Board examinations, medical researchers, and patients who want to become familiar with research dedicated to stem cells. If your time is valuable, this book is for you. First, you will not waste time searching the Internet while missing a lot of relevant information. Second, the book also saves you time indexing and defining entries. Finally, you will not waste time and money printing hundreds of web pages.Words: research guide, research how to, stem researchAuthor: ICON Health Publications Publisher: ICON Health Publications Illustration: N Language: ENG Title: Stem Cells A Medical Dictionary, Bibliography, and Annotated Research Guide to Internet References Pages: 00000 (Encrypted PDF) On Sale: 2004-03-03 SKU-13/ISBN: 9780597842245 Lib Category: Research Lib Category: Computer network resources Category: Science : Life Sciences Genetics Genomics This is a 3-in-1 reference book. It gives a complete medical dictionary covering hundreds of terms and

By: JimmyfbcCanales

Read this article: Stem Cells A Medical Dictionary, Bibliography, And Annotated Research Guide To Internet References Video

Read more:
Stem Cells – A Medical Dictionary, Bibliography, And Annotated ...

Stem Cell Joint Repair Treatment Osteoarthritis Cartilage in Bangkok, Thailand

By Stem Cell Treatment

Food and Healthcare Press Releases Monday January 21, 2013

Bangkok--21 Jan--Urban Beauty Thailand

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. It causes pain, swelling and reduced motion in your joints. It can occur in any joint, but usually affects your hands, knee, hips or spine. Thailand Osteoarthritis breaks down the cartilage in your joints. Cartilage is the slippery tissue that covers the ends of bones in a joint. Healthy cartilage absorbs the shock of movement. When you lose cartilage, your bones rub together. Over time, this rubbing can permanently damage the joint. Factors that may cause osteoarthritis include:

Being overweight

Getting older

Injuring a joint

Thailand Osteoarthritis, or OA, is often related to aging, although sometimes the cause is not known. Before the age of 55 it occurs equally in women and men. After that age it is more common in women. By the age of 70 the majority of people will have at least minor Osteoarthritis.

Stem cell treatment in Thailand is one of the best options to get rid of osteoarthritis. Like many other procedures osteoarthritis treatment in Thailand uses autologous adult stem cells. These are harnessed from the patients fat cells so there is very little chance of patients body rejecting them.

Adipose (fat) tissue extraction tends to be more worthwhile than other methods such as bone marrow extraction. This is because it produces up to ten times more stem cells. Adipose derived stem cells (ASCs) have been shown to be just as effective as other stem cells as they display proliferative efficiency and multipotency in tissue regeneration.

Stem cell treatment in Bangkok uses new technology known as Adistem Cell Technology. Photoactivation Technology has been used for activating adipose derived stem cells (ASCs) for therapeutic and regenerative application since 2008. This technology uses low intensity of light at specific frequencies to increase various anti-inflammatory and healing agents from ASCs. Harvesting ASCs is done through a simple, minimally invasive liposuction under local anesthesia. The process is relatively easy and painless and poses minimal risk to the patient. It is a single procedure in a sterile setting. After harvesting, the stem cells are separated from the fats using standard technique.

Go here to see the original:
Stem Cell Joint Repair Treatment Osteoarthritis Cartilage in Bangkok, Thailand

Springhill Medical Group-What is Stem Cell Therapy? – Stem Cell Cafe

By Stell Cell Research

Jan 22

Springhill Medical Group-What is Stem Cell Therapy? springhillmedgroup.com We have been hearing about this stem cell lately but does everyone know about what this really is? According to medical researchers, stem cell treatments have the potential to change the face of human disease and alleviate suffering. There are already many stem treatments nowadays but they are not usually used because they tend to be experimental and they are very expensive. Medical researchers foresee being able to use technologies derived from stem cell research to treat cancer, spinal cord injuries, and muscle damage, amongst a number of other diseases and impairments. This stem cell therapy is established in order to treat disease or injury by introducing new adult stem cells into damaged tissue. Stem cell therapy is an intervention strategy. The good thing about stem cell is that there are minimal risk of rejection and side effects. They have the ability to self-renew and give rise to subsequent generations with variable degrees of differentiation capacities. They also offer significant potential for generation of tissues that can potentially replace diseased and damaged areas in the body. It has been said that there are already a number of stem-cell therapies that exist but most are costly. But bone-marrow transplantation, to some extent has exemption.

By: Madeline Brunner

See the article here: Springhill Medical Group-What is Stem Cell Therapy? Video

Read this article: Springhill Medical Group-What is Stem Cell Therapy? Video

Continued here:
Springhill Medical Group-What is Stem Cell Therapy? - Stem Cell Cafe

Bacteria Can Morph Host Cells Into Stem Cells – Stem Cell Cafe

By Stell Cell Research

Jan 19

Featured Article Academic Journal Main Category: Stem Cell Research Also Included In: Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses;Biology / Biochemistry Article Date: 18 Jan 2013 14:00 PST

Current ratings for: Bacteria Can Morph Host Cells Into Stem Cells

5 (2 votes)

Researchers at the University of Edinburgh made this remarkable discovery while studying mice infected with bacteria that cause leprosy, an infectious disease that attacks the nerve system.

They propose the finding will help stem cell researchers use similar mechanisms to develop new stem cell treatments for degenerative conditions.

They write about their findings in the 17 January issue of the journal Cell.

Senior researcher Anura Rambukana, Chair of Regeneration Biology at Edinburgh, says in a press statement:

Bacterial infections can completely change a cells make up, which could have a wide-range of implications, including in stem cell research.

But once the infection is established, the bacterium then sets about reprogramming the Schwann cells to become like stem cells.

See the original post here:
Bacteria Can Morph Host Cells Into Stem Cells – Stem Cell Cafe

'Brimming with energy' after $20K stem cell treatment

By Stem Cell Treatment

Jennifer Vasilakos got the shocking surprise of her life after helping a man who stopped to ask her for directions. That man happened to be the billionaire founder of the Beanie Baby company and what he did may have saved her life. NBC's Kristen Dahlgren reports.

By Kristen Dahlgren and Erica Ayisi, NBC News

What started out as a modest fundraising event held in a Santa Barbara, Calif., parking lot has turned into a life-changing moment for Jennifer Vasilakos, thanks to a chance meeting with Beanie Baby billionaire Ty Warner.

It all began ina parking lot in July of last year. Vasilakos, 42, set up a table near her hometown's annual Santa Barbara French Festival to raise money for stem cell treatment, displaying signs and flyers that explained her cause.She also brought a small moneybox to stash cash made from parking cars for festival-goers.

Equipped with sunglasses, a water bottle and coffee, Vasilakos was prepared to spend the day raising awareness and telling people her personal story that she was diagnosed with acute renal failure in 2011 and had received dialysis three times a day, three times a week. It was a grueling regimen that she would endure the rest of her life. A kidney transplant wasnt an option; she had been rejected as a candidate because of a previous bout with cancer.

Vasilakos, aReiki teacher and herbalist,decided her only option was to save up for stem cell treatment a costly procedure that is not performed in the United States.

But as the day wore on, her moneybox largely remained empty. The festival, she said, was completely dead.

That's when a lost driver in a small little car drove up, looking for directions. Jennifer chatted him up.

Louis Lanzano / ASSOCIATED PRESS

Ty Warner, Beanie Baby creator and chief executive of Ty Inc., arrives at the Toy Fair to sign

Read the original:
'Brimming with energy' after $20K stem cell treatment

CRF to sponsor 8th International Conference on … – Stem Cell Cafe

By Stell Cell Research

Jan 19

WHAT:

The final agenda for the Eighth International Conference on Cell Therapy for Cardiovascular Disease, sponsored by the Cardiovascular Research Foundation, is now available online at http://celltherapy.crf.org/conference/agenda.html. The conference, which will be held January 23-25, 2013, is the premier meeting dedicated to the evolving field of cell-based therapies for the repair and regeneration of cardiac and vascular disease, as well as related diseases such as diabetes and stroke.

This years conference will focus on pivotal preclinical and clinical studies on the path to commercialization, focusing on the status of molecular, cell, and tissue products, in addition to delivery systems.

WHY:

Recent advances in stem cell research demonstrate great potential as breakthrough therapies for conditions like diabetes, Parkinsons and heart disease. Now in its 12th year of clinical trials, the application of stem cells in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases has realized many notable successes, as well as identified challenges that await the next round of clinical studies. Renowned thought leaders in this field will convene to present their work, experiences, observations, and opinions on the benefits and unmet challenges of cell-based therapies.

Sessions will focus on:

WHO:

More here: CRF to sponsor 8th International Conference on Cell Therapy for Cardiovascular Disease

Read this article:
CRF to sponsor 8th International Conference on ... - Stem Cell Cafe

→←