U-M Would Have To Report Data On Stell Cell Research In New House Bill

LANSING - The University of Michigan would have to report data on its stem cell research and Michigan State University would have to end its policy of requiring students to have health insurance if they want a piece of the $36 million in performance funding in changes made Friday by the Michigan House Appropriations Higher Education Subcommittee.

The committee, which reported the bill (HB 5377) along party lines, fundamentally changed the performance funding metrics proposed by Governor Rick Snyder.

To qualify for the money, universities would have a limit on tuition increase looking at a two-year basis, report embryonic stem cell research, participate in reverse transfer agreements with at least three community colleges in the state, ensure their dual enrollment policy doesn't consider use of credits toward high school graduation requirements and that the universities don't compel undergraduate students to carry health insurance.

U-M is the only university that conducts stem cell research and MSU is the only university that compels students to have health insurance. The Republican members of the subcommittee were clearly upset with the universities during testimony on those issues earlier this year.

Rep. Bob Genetski II (R-Saugatuck), the subcommittee chair, said the budget does not target anyone.

Rep. Joan Bauer (D-Lansing), the subcommittee's minority vice chair, vehemently disagreed and said such obvious punitive language has no place in the higher education budget.

"It really verges on social engineering," said Mike Boulus, executive director of the Presidents Council, State Universities of Michigan.

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U-M Would Have To Report Data On Stell Cell Research In New House Bill

Newly identified stem cells may hold clues to colon cancer

Public release date: 29-Mar-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Melissa Marino melissa.marino@vanderbilt.edu 615-322-4747 Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center researchers have identified a new population of intestinal stem cells that may hold clues to the origin of colorectal cancer.

This new stem cell population, reported March 30 in the journal Cell, appears to be relatively quiescent (inactive) in contrast to the recent discovery of intestinal stem cells that multiply rapidly and is marked by a protein, Lrig1, that may act as a "brake" on cell growth and proliferation.

The researchers have also developed a new and clinically relevant mouse model of colorectal cancer that investigators can now use to better understand where and how the disease arises, as well as for probing new therapeutic targets.

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. These tumors are thought to arise from a series of mutations in intestinal stem cells, which are long-lived, self-renewing cells that gives rise to all cell types in the intestinal tract.

For more than 30 years, scientists believed that intestinal stem cells were primarily quiescent, proliferating only rarely in order to protect the tissue against cancer. Then, in 2007, researchers reported finding a population of intestinal stem cells (marked by the molecule Lgr5) that were highly proliferative.

Those findings "really changed the way we think about intestinal stem cells," said Robert Coffey, Jr., M.D., Ingram Professor of Cancer Research, co-chair of Vanderbilt's Epithelial Biology Center and senior author on the study.

"It came to so dominate the field that it raised the question about whether quiescent stem cells even existand that's where we enter into the picture."

Coffey's lab studies the epidermal growth factor (EGF) signaling pathway which includes a family of receptors known as ErbBs and its role in cancers of epithelial tissues, like the intestinal tract.

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Newly identified stem cells may hold clues to colon cancer

Cancer research focuses on cell protein

LOS ANGELES Blocking "don't destroy me" signals that normally sit on the surface of tumor cells and render them resistant to immune-cell attack slows the growth of a broad range of human cancers when they're implanted in mice, researchers have found.

The approach, reported by immunologists at the Stanford University School of Medicine, was effective against ovarian, breast, colon, bladder, liver, prostate and brain cancer cells. If the work can be repeated in people, the approach may someday help doctors marshal defender cells in patients' own bodies to fight cancers, the researchers said.

Key to the work is a cell protein called CD47, which is already being investigated in the treatment of leukemia.

CD47 sits on cell membranes and communicates with various immune cells, including macrophages, which gobble up foreign invaders in the body. It plays an important role in the normal life cycle of healthy red blood cells, telling macrophages to leave the cells alone.

In the study, the scientists injected the animals with antibodies that bind to CD47 and block out its protective signal.

"If we can block this signal, we can get the immune system to eat (the cancer cells) up," said Stephen Willingham, a postdoctoral researcher in the laboratory of immunologist Dr. Irving Weissman at Stanford and first author of a paper about the work.

The Stanford team examined cancer cells removed from patients with a variety of types of solid tumors. It found that CD47 studded the membranes of almost all of the cancer cells in their sample, suggesting that it is a molecule common to all cancers.

Placing the cells in lab dishes, the team administered an antibody: a protein that binds to CD47 and blocks it from warding off immune system cells. Macrophages ate the cells.

The researchers then implanted human tumor cells in mice for further study. They allowed the cancers to grow, and administered the antibody against CD47.

Antibody treatment inhibited the growth of almost all of the solid tumors and was able to wipe out some smaller cancers altogether, according to the report, which was published Monday in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

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Cancer research focuses on cell protein

ThermoGenesis Announces AABB Accreditation for Cord Blood Products Customer in China

RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif., March 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- ThermoGenesis Corp. (NASDAQ: KOOL - News), a leading supplier of innovative products and services that process and store adult stem cells, said today that its customer Beike Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (Beike) has become the first company in China to receive accreditation from the AABB (formerly the American Association of Blood Banks). AABB is an international, not-for-profit association representing nearly 2,000 institutions and 8,000 individuals involved in the fields of transfusion medicine and cellular therapies.

A leading stem cell and regenerative medicine company in China, Beike will be using ThermoGenesis' AXP AutoXpress (AXP) and BioArchive Systems for the processing and storage of stem cells from cord blood. The Company expects the AXP device to receive registration approval in China during the current year.

Beike produces a full line of products derived from umbilical cord tissue, cord blood and bone marrow stem cells. It also operates three stand-alone cord blood processing and storage facilities, 18 specialized laboratories processing cord blood collection, five stem cell banks and two stem cell research laboratories.

"This AABB accreditation represents a major accomplishment for Beike and demonstrates its leadership position in China's regenerative medicine sector. It provides Beike a strong platform from which to further develop what we believe will be an increasingly prosperous cord blood stem cell market in China. We are pleased to be providing them our market leading tools to realize their strategy," said Matthew Plavan, Chief Executive Officer of ThermoGenesis.

"We are delighted to become the first bank in China to receive AABB accreditation for the processing and storage of cord blood and cord tissue. Our adoption of the AXP and BioArchive technologies is a critical component of our market vision to become the country's technology and quality leader in cord blood processing and storage," said Dr. Shengqin Ye, Chief Executive Officer of Beike.

About ThermoGenesis Corp.

ThermoGenesis Corp. (www.thermogenesis.com) is a leader in developing and manufacturing automated blood processing systems and disposable products that enable the manufacture, preservation and delivery of cell and tissue therapy products. These include:

This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Several factors including timing of FDA and foreign regulatory approvals, changes in customer forecasts, our failure to meet customers' purchase order and quality requirements, supply shortages, production delays, changes in the markets for customers' products, introduction timing and acceptance of our new products scheduled for fiscal year 2012, and introduction of competitive products and other factors beyond our control could result in a materially different revenue outcome and/or in our failure to achieve the revenue levels we expect for fiscal 2012. A more complete description of these and other risks that could cause actual events to differ from the outcomes predicted by our forward-looking statements is set forth under the caption "Risk Factors" in our annual report on Form 10-K and other reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time, and you should consider each of those factors when evaluating the forward-looking statements.

ThermoGenesis Corp. Web site: http://www.thermogenesis.com Contact: Investor Relations +1-916-858-5107, or ir@thermogenesis.com

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ThermoGenesis Announces AABB Accreditation for Cord Blood Products Customer in China

Advanced Cell Technology and PharmAthene Poised to Benefit From Positive Legislation

NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire -03/28/12)- Biotechnology stocks have been on an impressive run this year as favorable legislation out of Washington is allowing biotech companies of all sizes to more easily navigate regulations. Five Star Equities examines the outlook for companies in the Biotechnology industry and provides equity research on Advanced Cell Technology Inc. (OTC.BB: ACTC.OB - News) and PharmAthene Inc. (AMEX: PIP - News). Access to the full company reports can be found at:

http://www.fivestarequities.com/ACTC http://www.fivestarequities.com/PIP

The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) recently applauded the House Energy and Commerce Committee's passage of the Medicare Decisions Accountability Act, H.R. 452, which would repeal the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) established in the health care reform law. BIO also issued a press release applauding the Senate on the passage of H.R. 3606, the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act. The JOBS Act creates an "on-ramp" to the public market for emerging growth companies, allowing them five years to focus on conducting critical research that can lead to cures for debilitating diseases before having to divert funds to costly regulations, BIO reports.

Five Star Equities releases regular market updates on the biotechnology industry so investors can stay ahead of the crowd and make the best investment decisions to maximize their returns. Take a few minutes to register with us free at http://www.fivestarequities.com and get exclusive access to our numerous stock reports and industry newsletters.

Advanced Cell Technology, Inc., a biotechnology company, focuses on the development and commercialization of human embryonic and adult stem cell technology in the field of regenerative medicine. Earlier this month the company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission a proxy statement containing a shareholder proposal for a reverse split of its common stock. "This reverse stock split, which should better align the company's capital structure with its stage of development, and an accompanying Nasdaq listing application, will represent a significant step toward creating long-term shareholder value and building ACT into a world-class player in the regenerative medicine space," said Gary Rabin, chairman and CEO of ACT.

PharmAthene, Inc., a biodefense company, engages in the development and commercialization of medical countermeasures against biological and chemical weapons in the United States. For the year ended December 31, 2011, PharmAthene recognized revenue of $24.3 million, compared to $21.0 million in 2010.

Five Star Equities provides Market Research focused on equities that offer growth opportunities, value, and strong potential return. We strive to provide the most up-to-date market activities. We constantly create research reports and newsletters for our members. Five Star Equities has not been compensated by any of the above-mentioned companies. We act as an independent research portal and are aware that all investment entails inherent risks. Please view the full disclaimer at: http://www.fivestarequities.com/disclaimer

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Advanced Cell Technology and PharmAthene Poised to Benefit From Positive Legislation

Stem cell therapy for the repair of myocardium in heart failure patients – Video

28-03-2012 10:17 Dr Joshua Hare is Professor of Medicine and Director of the Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute at the University of Miami. The interview was conducted on 25 March 2012 at the American College of Cardiology's (ACC's) 61st Annual Scientific Session & Expo in Chicago. See more ACC.12 Coverage: http://www.getinsidehealth.com

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Stem cell therapy for the repair of myocardium in heart failure patients - Video

NeoStem Announces Proposed Public Offering of Common Stock and Warrants

NEW YORK, March 28, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NeoStem, Inc. (NYSE Amex:NBS) ("NeoStem" or "the Company"), a leader in the cell therapy industry, today announced that it intends to offer and sell shares of its common stock and warrants in an underwritten public offering. All of the shares and warrants in the offering will be sold by NeoStem. The offering is subject to market conditions, and there can be no assurance as to whether or when the offering may be completed, or as to the actual size or terms of the offering. The securities will be issued pursuant to a prospectus supplement filed as part of an effective registration statement on Form S-3 previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Maxim Group LLC is acting as book-runner of the offering.

A shelf registration statement relating to the securities was filed with the SEC, which became effective on June 13, 2011. A preliminary prospectus supplement related to the offering will be filed with the SEC and will be available on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of the preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relating to this offering may be obtained, when available, from Maxim Group LLC, 405 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10174 or via telephone at (212) 895-3685.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or other jurisdiction. NeoStem intends to file a preliminary prospectus supplement relating to the offering with the SEC, which will be available along with the prospectus filed with the SEC in connection with the shelf registration, on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov.

About NeoStem, Inc.

NeoStem, Inc. ("we," "NeoStem" or the "Company") continues to develop and build on its core capabilities in cell therapy to capitalize on the paradigm shift that we see occurring in medicine. In particular, we anticipate that cell therapy will have a large role in the fight against chronic disease and in lessening the economic burden that these diseases pose to modern society. Our January 2011 acquisition of Progenitor Cell Therapy, LLC ("PCT") provides NeoStem with a foundation in both manufacturing and regulatory affairs expertise. We believe this expertise, coupled with our existing research capabilities and collaborations, will allow us to achieve our mission of becoming a premier cell therapy company. Our PCT subsidiary's manufacturing base is one of the few current Good Manufacturing Practices ("cGMP") facilities available for contracting in the burgeoning cell therapy industry. Amorcyte, LLC ("Amorcyte"), which we acquired in October 2011, is developing a cell therapy for the treatment of cardiovascular disease. Amorcyte's lead compound, AMR-001, represents NeoStem's most clinically advanced therapeutic and has commenced enrollment for a Phase 2 trial to investigate AMR-001's efficacy in preserving heart function after a heart attack. We also expect to begin a Phase 1 clinical trial by 2013 to investigate AMR-001's utility in arresting the progression of congestive heart failure and the associated comorbidities of that disease. Athelos Corporation ("Athelos"), which is approximately 80%-owned by our subsidiary, PCT, is engaged in collaboration with Becton-Dickinson that is exploring the earlier stage clinical development of a T-cell therapy for autoimmune conditions. In addition, our pre-clinical assets include our VSELTM Technology platform as well as our MSC (mesenchymal stem cells) product candidate for regenerative medicine.

For more information on NeoStem, please visit http://www.neostem.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements reflect management's current expectations, as of the date of this press release, and involve certain risks and uncertainties. Forward looking statements include statements herein with respect to the successful execution of the Company's business and medical strategy, including with respect to the development of AMR-001 and other cell therapies and its divestiture of its interest in Suzhou Erye Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. about which no assurance can be given. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward- looking statements as a result of various factors. Factors that could cause future results to materially differ from the recent results or those projected in forward-looking statements include the "Risk Factors" described in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 19, 2012 and in the Company's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company's further development is highly dependent on future medical and research developments and market acceptance, which is outside its control.

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NeoStem Announces Proposed Public Offering of Common Stock and Warrants

NeoStem Announces Pricing of Public Offering for $6,000,000 in Gross Proceeds

NEW YORK, March 29, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NeoStem, Inc. (NYSE Amex:NBS) ("NeoStem" or "the Company"), a leader in the cell therapy industry, announced today the pricing of an underwritten public offering of 15,000,000 units at $0.40 per unit. Each unit consists of one share of common stock and a warrant to purchase one share of common stock with a per share exercise price of $0.51. Maxim Group LLC acted as sole bookrunner. The Company expects to receive $6,000,000 in gross proceeds, prior to deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses payable by the Company. These funds will be used for working capital purposes, including research and development of cell therapeutic product candidates, expansion of business units, strategic transactions and other general corporate purposes. The Company has granted the underwriters a 45-day option to purchase up to an additional 2,250,000 units to cover over-allotments.

The financing is expected to close on or about April 3, 2012, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

This offering is being made by means of a prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus. Copies of the final prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus relating to this offering may be obtained from the Securities and Exchange Commission's website at http://www.sec.gov or from Maxim Group LLC, 405 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10174 or via telephone at (212) 895-3685.

A shelf registration statement relating to the offering was previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and became effective on June 13, 2011. This press release is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the Company's securities. No offer, solicitation or sale will be made in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale is unlawful.

Further information regarding the offering is contained in the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and which may be accessed at http://www.sec.gov.

About NeoStem, Inc.

NeoStem, Inc. ("we," "NeoStem" or the "Company") continues to develop and build on its core capabilities in cell therapy to capitalize on the paradigm shift that we see occurring in medicine. In particular, we anticipate that cell therapy will have a large role in the fight against chronic disease and in lessening the economic burden that these diseases pose to modern society. Our January 2011 acquisition of Progenitor Cell Therapy, LLC ("PCT") provides NeoStem with a foundation in both manufacturing and regulatory affairs expertise. We believe this expertise, coupled with our existing research capabilities and collaborations, will allow us to achieve our mission of becoming a premier cell therapy company. Our PCT subsidiary's manufacturing base is one of the few current Good Manufacturing Practices ("cGMP") facilities available for contracting in the burgeoning cell therapy industry. Amorcyte, LLC ("Amorcyte"), which we acquired in October 2011, is developing a cell therapy for the treatment of cardiovascular disease. Amorcyte's lead compound, AMR-001, represents NeoStem's most clinically advanced therapeutic and has commenced enrollment for a Phase 2 trial to investigate AMR-001's efficacy in preserving heart function after a heart attack. We also expect to begin a Phase 1 clinical trial by 2013 to investigate AMR-001's utility in arresting the progression of congestive heart failure and the associated comorbidities of that disease. Athelos Corporation ("Athelos"), which is approximately 80%-owned by our subsidiary, PCT, is engaged in collaboration with Becton-Dickinson that is exploring the earlier stage clinical development of a T-cell therapy for autoimmune conditions. In addition, our pre-clinical assets include our VSELTM Technology platform as well as our MSC (mesenchymal stem cells) product candidate for regenerative medicine.

For more information on NeoStem, please visit http://www.neostem.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements reflect management's current expectations, as of the date of this press release, and involve certain risks and uncertainties. Forward looking statements include statements herein with respect to the successful execution of the Company's business and medical strategy, including with respect to the development of AMR-001 and other cell therapies and its divestiture of its interest in Suzhou Erye Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. about which no assurance can be given. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward- looking statements as a result of various factors. Factors that could cause future results to materially differ from the recent results or those projected in forward-looking statements include the "Risk Factors" described in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 19, 2012 and in the Company's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company's further development is highly dependent on future medical and research developments and market acceptance, which is outside its control.

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NeoStem Announces Pricing of Public Offering for $6,000,000 in Gross Proceeds

Stem cell therapy for 13-year-old dog helps with its arthritis

COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) - A few weeks ago, we told you the story of Maggie, the 13-year-old Boykin Spaniel who was suffering from arthritis.

Maggie is enjoying life once again thanks to a new type of surgery. The dog received stem cell therapy surgery six weeks ago.

Doctors were able to use adult stem cells from Maggie's blood and fat samples to collect repair cells. They then took the cells and repaired the dog's arthritic spine.

Maggie's owner, Beth Phibbs, says she could tell the dog had been in pain.

"You could tell she didn't feel well, but yet now she is like she's 5 and she's 13. She just runs out and she plays. I think she knows. She can feel the difference," Phibbs said.

The surgery costs about $2,000, but Medi-vet America says this costs about half as much as the older treatments.

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Stem cell therapy for 13-year-old dog helps with its arthritis

New Data Show BioCision’s CoolCell Family of Products Outperform Traditional Cryopreservation Methods

MILL VALLEY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

BioCision LLC today released new data demonstrating that the companys CoolCell technology resulted in a 33 percent increase in human embryonic stem cell (hESC) viability when compared to common freezing methods, such as styrofoam boxes, paper towel wraps and alcohol-based methods.

Based on thermo-conductive principles and developed through precision-engineering, CoolCell is a rate-controlled cryopreservation system that ensures uniform and reproducible freezing rates for biological samples, including primary cells, cell lines, stem cells, yeast and other cell types.

Addressing the lack of standardization in common sample handling, processing and viable long-term storage has emerged as one of the greatest challenges facing biobanks, diagnostics companies and researchers today, said Rolf Ehrhardt, CEO, BioCision. Scientists know that error is inherent in sample handling and can be the difference between viable and non-viable cells, particularly when handling embryonic stem cells that are extremely fragile following thawing.1

Researchers set out to compare cell recovery rates post-thaw using the CoolCell method of cryopreservation and three commonly used methods with two human Embryonic Stem Cell (hESC) lines, RC-7 and RC-10. The study concluded that:

The study was conducted in collaboration with scientists at Edinburgh-based Roslin Cellab, a stem cell technology company with expertise in the stem cell culture and regenerative medicine field, and sister company to Roslin Cells, a leading European and UK provider of clinical grade human embryonic stem cells.

The results of our study show that the CoolCell technology clearly outperforms all other methods and provides excellent efficiency and reproducibility for stem cell cryopreservation and recovery, said Aidan Courtney, Director at Roslin Cellab.

About CoolCell

CoolCell alcohol-free cell cryopreservation systems provide highly reproducible controlled-rate freezing for eukaryotic cells, including primary cells, cell lines, stem cells, PBMC, yeast and other types of cells. Used worldwide in academic, research and clinical laboratories, CoolCell is the standard for passive controlled-rate cell cryopreservation. The CoolCell technology - using novel thermo-conductive alloy and highly insulative materials - ensures precise heat removal from each tube and standardizes the freezing experience of all cryogenic tubes in a -80C freezer.

Benefits include:

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New Data Show BioCision’s CoolCell Family of Products Outperform Traditional Cryopreservation Methods