The issuance of this patent highlights Lineages dominant position in the field of cell therapy, stated Brian M. Culley, CEO of Lineage. Our efforts to develop new treatments rely on well-characterized and NIH-approved human cell lines. These lines are not genetically manipulated, which avoids the safety concerns associated with genetic aberrations arising from the creation of iPS cells. We believe the Lineage cell lines provide the safest option for our current clinical-stage programs, particularly in immune-privileged anatomical sites such as the eye (OpRegen for the treatment of dry AMD) and spinal cord (OPC1, for the treatment of spinal cord injury). However, the vast intellectual property estate which underlies our cell therapy platform has never been limited to these particular cell lines. As one example, this newly-issued patent provides us with proprietary methods for producing induced pluripotent stem cells, or, as it was practiced by us prior to Yamanaka, Analytical Reprogramming Technology (ART). In certain settings, an ART/iPS approach might offer important advantages, such as for an autologous treatment or when the selection of preferential attributes from a series of iPS lines is desirable. Questions as to which stem cell technology is preferred ultimately will be answered by clinical safety and efficacy and likely will be indication-specific, so we believe it is in the best interest of our shareholders to generate patented technology which enables us to pursue programs in either or both formats which we believe will ensure the highest probability of success.

This patent broadly describes multiple techniques for reprogramming cells of the body back to the all-powerful stem cell state, said Dr. Michael D. West, CEO of AgeX and first inventor on the patent. Perhaps more significantly, it includes certain factors that address some of the difficulties currently encountered with iPS cells. It also reflects the foundational work our scientists have undertaken to apply reprogramming technology to age-reversal, specifically, induced Tissue Regeneration (iTR) which is currently a focus of AgeX product development.

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPS) are typically derived from adult skin or blood cells which have been reprogrammed or induced to retrace their developmental age and regain the potential to form all of the young cell and tissue types of the body. In 2010 inventors of the -723 patent issued today demonstrated that this reversal of developmental aging even extended to the telomere clock of cell aging. This reprogramming technology provides an alternate source of starting material for the manufacture of potentially any type of human cell needed for therapeutic purposes. Because iPSCs can be derived directly from adult tissues, they can be used to generate pluripotent cells from patients with known genetic abnormalities for drug discovery or as an alternative source of cell types for regenerative therapies.

U.S. Patent No. 10,501,723, entitled Methods of Reprogramming Animal Somatic Cells was assigned to Advanced Cell Technology of Marlborough, Massachusetts (now Astellas Institute for Regenerative Medicine) and licensed to Lineage and sublicensed to AgeX Therapeutics for defined fields of use. Inventors of the patent include Michael D. West, CEO of AgeX and previous CEO of Advanced Cell Technology, Karen B. Chapman, Ph.D., and Roy Geoffrey Sargent, Ph.D.

About Lineage Cell Therapeutics, Inc.

Lineage Cell Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing novel cell therapies for unmet medical needs. Lineages programs are based on its proprietary cell-based therapy platform and associated development and manufacturing capabilities. With this platform Lineage develops and manufactures specialized, terminally-differentiated human cells from its pluripotent and progenitor cell starting materials. These differentiated cells are developed either to replace or support cells that are dysfunctional or absent due to degenerative disease or traumatic injury or administered as a means of helping the body mount an effective immune response to cancer. Lineages clinical assets include (i) OpRegen, a retinal pigment epithelium transplant therapy in Phase I/IIa development for the treatment of dry age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness in the developed world; (ii) OPC1, an oligodendrocyte progenitor cell therapy in Phase I/IIa development for the treatment of acute spinal cord injuries; and (iii) VAC2, an allogeneic cancer immunotherapy of antigen-presenting dendritic cells currently in Phase I development for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. Lineage is also evaluating potential partnership opportunities for Renevia, a facial aesthetics product that was recently granted a Conformit Europenne (CE) Mark. For more information, please visit http://www.lineagecell.com or follow the Company on Twitter @LineageCell.

About AgeX Therapeutics

AgeX Therapeutics, Inc. (NYSE American: AGE) is focused on developing and commercializing innovative therapeutics for human aging. Its PureStem and UniverCyte manufacturing and immunotolerance technologies are designed to work together to generate highly-defined, universal, allogeneic, off-the-shelf pluripotent stem cell-derived young cells of any type for application in a variety of diseases with a high unmet medical need. AgeX has two preclinical cell therapy programs: AGEX-VASC1 (vascular progenitor cells) for tissue ischemia and AGEX-BAT1 (brown fat cells) for Type II diabetes. AgeXs revolutionary longevity platform induced Tissue Regeneration (iTR) aims to unlock cellular immortality and regenerative capacity to reverse age-related changes within tissues. AGEX-iTR1547 is an iTR-based formulation in preclinical development. HyStem is AgeXs delivery technology to stably engraft PureStem cell therapies in the body. AgeX is developing its core product pipeline for use in the clinic to extend human healthspan and is seeking opportunities to establish licensing and collaboration agreements around its broad IP estate and proprietary technology platforms. For more information, please visit http://www.agexinc.com or connect with the company on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube.

Forward-Looking Statements

Lineage cautions you that all statements, other than statements of historical facts, contained in this press release, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements, in some cases, can be identified by terms such as believe, may, will, estimate, continue, anticipate, design, intend, expect, could, plan, potential, predict, seek, should, would, contemplate, project, target, tend to, or the negative version of these words and similar expressions. Such statements include, but are not limited to, Lineages exploration of alternative cell therapy platforms. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause Lineages actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements in this press release, including risks and uncertainties inherent in Lineages business and other risks in Lineages filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC). Lineages forward-looking statements are based upon its current expectations and involve assumptions that may never materialize or may prove to be incorrect. All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. Further information regarding these and other risks is included under the heading Risk Factors in Lineages periodic reports with the SEC, including Lineages Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 14, 2019 and its other reports, which are available from the SECs website. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they were made. Lineage undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made, except as required by law.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20191210005404/en/

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Lineage Cell Therapeutics and AgeX Therapeutics Announce Issuance of US Patent for Method of Generating Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells - BioSpace

A hockey player paralyzed in the Humboldt Broncos bus crash says it feels good to be home after spending five weeks in Thailand, where he underwent spinal surgery.

It feels good. I mean I felt that cold, cold wind hit my legs, so Im feeling good. Its good to be back, Ryan Straschnitzki said Sunday night as he wheeled himself into the Calgary airport.

The 20-year-old from Airdrie, Alta., who is paralyzed from the chest down, had an epidural stimulator implanted in his spine while he was in Bangkok. A week later, doctors also injected stem cells above and below his spinal injury to try to reverse some of the damage.

Videos posted by Straschnitzki and his father in Thailand show him straightening a leg. In another, Straschnitzki kicks a ball.

In another clip, while hes strapped into a harness, physiotherapists slowly help him walk with a wheeled machine.

It was incredible. I mean the last time I walked beside my dad was before the accident and before I moved away, said Straschnitzki. So doing that again and just seeing the look in his eyes is motivating to me.

Straschnitzki was one of 13 players injured when a semi truck blew through a stop sign and into the path of his junior hockey teams bus at a rural intersection in Saskatchewan in April 2018.

Sixteen others on the bus were killed.

READ MORE: Paralyzed Humboldt Broncos player to get spinal surgery in Thailand

Tom Straschnitzki said hes not an emotional guy, but watching the progress his son made in Thailand has given him hope.

When I actually saw him move his leg, it just took me back to imagining his last steps going onto that bus on that fateful day. And I was just thinking maybe he can go back on the bus one day, he said.

The surgery can cost up to $100,000 but isnt covered by public health care or insurance, because it has not been approved by Health Canada. The Straschnitzkis say theyre frustrated the treatment isnt available here.

Ryan Straschnitzki hopes his experience might at least get the conversation going.

Our health-care system is kind of lacking in this area for spinal cord injuries and I think its huge that Thailand and some other places are getting this started, he said.

I think if Canada can step in and advance this program, I think itll help a lot of people out.

Tom and Michelle Straschnitzki said they have been flooded with comments and questions about their sons procedure.

They want to try it and ask why doesnt Canada do it? I dont have the answer about Canada but they do it in Thailand and it is not experimental, said Tom Straschnitzki.

Health Canada has said it provides licensed spinal cord stimulators but only for pain relief. A spokesman said it has not received an application to have stimulators used to regain motor skills.

READ MORE: Loss for words Injured Bronco shocked, excited over effect of spinal surgery

Ryan Straschnitzki said he isnt expecting a cure but hopes his implant will restore some muscle movement.

Just getting that feeling of being able to move something that I wasnt able to move before and I know core is a huge part of my disability, so anything below my chest is crucial. And after the programming it really helped, he said.

Straschnitzki is hoping to make the Canadian sledge hockey team and compete in the Olympics. He even took his sled with him to Thailand and sat in it as part of his rehabilitation there.

He said he plans to take a few days off before returning to physiotherapy and hitting the ice again back home.

Bill Graveland, The Canadian Press

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Kind of lacking: Injured Bronco wonders why Canada wont fund spinal surgery - Coast Mountain News

The spinal cord is a long, fragile tubelike structure that begins at the end of the brain stem and continues down almost to the bottom of the spine. The spinal cord consists of nerves that carry incoming and outgoing messages between the brain and the rest of the body. It is also the center for reflexes, such as the knee jerk reflex (see Figure: Reflex Arc: A No-Brainer).

Like the brain, the spinal cord is covered by three layers of tissue (meninges). The spinal cord and meninges are contained in the spinal canal, which runs through the center of the spine. In most adults, the spine is composed of 33 individual back bones (vertebrae). Just as the skull protects the brain, vertebrae protect the spinal cord. The vertebrae are separated by disks made of cartilage, which act as cushions, reducing the forces generated by movements such as walking and jumping. The vertebrae and disks of cartilage extend the length of the spine and together form the vertebral column, also called the spinal column.

A column of bones called vertebrae make up the spine (spinal column). The vertebrae protect the spinal cord, a long, fragile structure contained in the spinal canal, which runs through the center of the spine. Between the vertebrae are disks composed of cartilage, which help cushion the spine and give it some flexibility.

Like the brain, the spinal cord is covered by three layers of tissue (meninges).

Spinal nerves: Emerging from the spinal cord between the vertebrae are 31 pairs of spinal nerves. Each nerve emerges in two short branches (roots):

One at the front (motor or anterior root) of the spinal cord

One at the back (sensory or posterior root) of the spinal cord

The motor roots carry commands from the brain and spinal cord to other parts of the body, particularly to skeletal muscles.

The sensory roots carry information to the brain from other parts of the body.

Cauda equina: The spinal cord ends about three fourths of the way down the spine, but a bundle of nerves extends beyond the cord. This bundle is called the cauda equina because it resembles a horses tail. The cauda equina carries nerve impulses to and from the legs.

Like the brain, the spinal cord consists of gray and white matter. The butterfly-shaped center of the cord consists of gray matter. The front wings (also called horns) contain motor nerve cells (neurons), which transmit information from the brain or spinal cord to muscles, stimulating movement. The back horns contain sensory nerve cells, which transmit sensory information from other parts of the body through the spinal cord to the brain. The surrounding white matter contains columns of nerve fibers that carry sensory information to the brain from the rest of the body (ascending tracts) and columns that carry motor impulses from the brain to the muscles (descending tracts).

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Spinal Cord - Brain, Spinal Cord, and Nerve Disorders ...

The tiny artificial nerve cell fits on a fingertip.

Scientists have built tiny silicon microchips, small enough to fit on a fingertip, which are "nearly identical" to biological nerve cells present in the human body. The research team suggests the low-power cells-on-a-chip could be used in bio-electronic devices and implants, providing a new way to combat diseases affecting the nervous system, such as Alzheimer's, or spinal cord injury.

Nerve cells, or neurons, are present throughout the brain and the nervous system and rapidly send electrical signals through their long, spindly arms, relaying information from brain to body and back. Their signalling activities require ion channels that convert mechanical or chemical signals into electrical ones. It's a complex dance underlying all our nerve impulses -- but that complexity has made it difficult to unravel how cells respond to certain stimuli.

"Until now neurons have been like black boxes, but we have managed to open the black box and peer inside," said Alain Nogaret, a physicist at the University of Bath and co-author of the study, in a press release. "Our work is paradigm changing because it provides a robust method to reproduce the electrical properties of real neurons in minute detail."

The new study,published in the journal Nature Communications on Tuesday, details the breakthrough technology which reproduces the electrical properties of a neuron on the tiny chip. The team were able to replicate the dynamics of individual nerve cells in the brain required for memory ("hippocampal neurons") and those required for breathing ("respiratory neurons"). The chips have a number of synthetic ion channels, which are responsible for the electrical impulses in biological cells.

Comparing the signals to those found in rat hippocampal neurons and rat brain stem neurons, the research team subjected their chip to 60 different stimulation protocols and modeled the responses, finding each time the chip was able to recapitulate responses seen in real cells.

While the study shows promise for potential bio-medical implants in the future, the authors note that other features of nerve cells will need to be considered.

The chip acts like a single cell, but nerve cells are complex beasts with branching arms, known as dendrites, responsible for propagating signals from cell to cell. The team suggests their model allows for the "complete dynamics of a biological neuron" to be placed on the chip, while noting a second compartment may need to be added that could describe the active properties of dendrites.

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Scientists develop artificial nerve cells which behave just like real cells - CNET

Ryan Straschnitzki sits in a hockey sled while he does physiotherapy in Bangkok, Thailand after spinal surgery.

Tom Straschnitzki/The Canadian Press

A hockey player paralyzed in the Humboldt Broncos bus crash says he is thrilled with the progress hes made since receiving spinal surgery in Thailand a month ago.

Doctors implanted an epidural stimulator in Ryan Straschnitzkis spine, and one week later injected stem cells above and below the injury to try to reverse some of the damage.

The 20-year-old has just a week to go before returning home to Airdrie, Alta.

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Its been progressively getting better and harder at the same time, which is good. They put me through a good sweat, doing a couple of laps around the buildings. Its good work, Mr. Straschnitzki said in an interview from Bangkok with The Canadian Press.

One video of his rehab shows him straightening a leg. In another, he is strapped into a harness as physiotherapists slowly help him walk with the use of a wheeled machine.

I was at a loss for words. I was really shocked and excited at the same time. It kind of scared me a little bit, but again, it was pretty excited, Mr. Straschnitzki said.

I dont remember being that tall.

He said he felt all sorts of emotions when he took his first steps since climbing aboard the Broncos hockey bus on April 6, 2018.

It gave me kind of a shock and brought back obviously a lot of memories ... [including] all the sports activities I was involved in.

Mr. Straschnitzki was one of 13 players injured when an inexperienced truck driver blew through a stop sign and into the path of the Saskatchewan junior teams bus. Sixteen others on the bus would die.

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Mr. Straschnitzki, who was paralyzed from the chest down, isnt expecting a cure, but hopes the implant will restore some muscle movement.

Tom Straschnitzki, the young mans father, said the only downside is that his son is enduring spasms after using muscles that havent been working for the past 19 months.

Hes getting pain where he never had before, which is a good thing, but it takes months for it to kick in.

Tom Straschnitzki said the best part of the journey has been watching his son react to the changes hes experiencing.

When he took his first steps on his own and he controlled it ... he was pretty revved.

The surgery can cost up to $100,000 and isnt covered by public health care or insurance, because the epidural procedure has not been approved by Health Canada. The Straschnitzki family is paying for it, but is angry the treatment isnt available here.

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Health Canada says it has licensed spinal-cord stimulators but only for pain relief.

The department has not licensed a spinal-cord stimulator device for regaining motor skills or sensory functions following spinal injuries, nor received an application for this intended use as of yet, Health Canada spokesman Geoffroy Legault-Thivierge wrote in an email.

Ryan Straschnitzki, who is hoping to make the Canadian sledge-hockey team and compete in the Olympics, took his sled with him to Thailand and has been sitting in it as part of his rehab.

Its supposed to help me with more balance, so when Im on the ice Im not falling over as easily.

Hes finally been cleared to return to the ice in Bangkok later this week.

Ive been itching to get out there and I cant wait.

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Paralyzed survivor of Humboldt Broncos crash at a loss for words over progress since spinal surgery - The Globe and Mail

In theglobal stem cells marketa sizeable proportion of companies are trying to garner investments from organizations based overseas. This is one of the strategies leveraged by them to grow their market share. Further, they are also forging partnerships with pharmaceutical organizations to up revenues.

In addition, companies in the global stem cells market are pouring money into expansion through multidisciplinary and multi-sector collaboration for large scale production of high quality pluripotent and differentiated cells. The market, at present, is characterized by a diverse product portfolio, which is expected to up competition, and eventually growth in the market.

Some of the key players operating in the global stem cells market areSTEMCELL Technologies Inc., Astellas Pharma Inc., Cellular Engineering Technologies Inc., BioTime Inc., Takara Bio Inc., U.S. Stem Cell, Inc., BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc., Cytori Therapeutics, Inc., Osiris Therapeutics, Inc., and Caladrius Biosciences, Inc.

As per a report by Transparency Market Research, the global market for stem cells is expected to register a healthy CAGR of 13.8% during the period from 2017 to 2025 to become worth US$270.5 bn by 2025.

Request Sample of Stem Cells Market Report

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=132

Depending upon the type of products, the global stem cell market can be divided into adult stem cells, human embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, etc. Of them, the segment of adult stem cells accounts for a leading share in the market. This is because of their ability to generate trillions of specialized cells which may lower the risks of rejection and repair tissue damage.

Depending upon geography, the key segments of the global stem cells market are North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East and Africa. At present, North America dominates the market because of the substantial investments in the field, impressive economic growth, rising instances of target chronic diseases, and technological progress. As per the TMR report, the market in North America will likely retain its dominant share in the near future to become worth US$167.33 bn by 2025.

Investments in Research Drives Market

Constant thrust on research to broaden the utility scope of associated products is at the forefront of driving growth in the global stem cells market. Such research projects have generated various possibilities of different clinical applications of these cells, to usher in new treatments for diseases.

Request for a Discount on Stem Cells Market Report

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=D&rep_id=132

Since cellular therapies are considered the next major step in transforming healthcare, companies are expanding their cellular therapy portfolio to include a range of ailments such as Parkinsons disease, type 1 diabetes, spinal cord injury, Alzheimers disease, etc.

The growing prevalence of chronic diseases and increasing investments of pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies in stem cell research are the key driving factors for the stem cells therapeutics market. The growing number of stem cell donors, improved stem cell banking facilities, and increasing research and development are other crucial factors serving to propel the market, explains the lead analyst of the report.

About Us

Transparency Market Research is a next-generation market intelligence provider, offering fact-based solutions to business leaders, consultants, and strategy professionals.

Our reports are single-point solutions for businesses to grow, evolve, and mature. Our real-time data collection methods along with ability to track more than one million high growth niche products are aligned with your aims. The detailed and proprietary statistical models used by our analysts offer insights for making right decision in the shortest span of time. For organizations that require specific but comprehensive information we offer customized solutions through adhoc reports. These requests are delivered with the perfect combination of right sense of fact-oriented problem solving methodologies and leveraging existing data repositories.

TMR believes that unison of solutions for clients-specific problems with right methodology of research is the key to help enterprises reach right decision.

ContactTransparency Market ResearchState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY 12207United StatesTel:+1-518-618-1030USA Canada Toll Free:866-552-3453Email:[emailprotected]Website:http://www.transparencymarketresearch.comResearch Blog:https://theglobalhealthnews.com/

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Stem Cells Market to a Revenue Opportunity of US$270.5 bn During the Period from 2025 - News Description

In theglobal stem cells marketa sizeable proportion of companies are trying to garner investments from organizations based overseas. This is one of the strategies leveraged by them to grow their market share. Further, they are also forging partnerships with pharmaceutical organizations to up revenues.

In addition, companies in the global stem cells market are pouring money into expansion through multidisciplinary and multi-sector collaboration for large scale production of high quality pluripotent and differentiated cells. The market, at present, is characterized by a diverse product portfolio, which is expected to up competition, and eventually growth in the market.

Some of the key players operating in the global stem cells market areSTEMCELL Technologies Inc., Astellas Pharma Inc., Cellular Engineering Technologies Inc., BioTime Inc., Takara Bio Inc., U.S. Stem Cell, Inc., BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc., Cytori Therapeutics, Inc., Osiris Therapeutics, Inc., and Caladrius Biosciences, Inc.

As per a report by Transparency Market Research, the global market for stem cells is expected to register a healthy CAGR of 13.8% during the period from 2017 to 2025 to become worth US$270.5 bn by 2025.

Request Sample of Stem Cells Market Report

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=132

Depending upon the type of products, the global stem cell market can be divided into adult stem cells, human embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, etc. Of them, the segment of adult stem cells accounts for a leading share in the market. This is because of their ability to generate trillions of specialized cells which may lower the risks of rejection and repair tissue damage.

Depending upon geography, the key segments of the global stem cells market are North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East and Africa. At present, North America dominates the market because of the substantial investments in the field, impressive economic growth, rising instances of target chronic diseases, and technological progress. As per the TMR report, the market in North America will likely retain its dominant share in the near future to become worth US$167.33 bn by 2025.

Investments in Research Drives Market

Constant thrust on research to broaden the utility scope of associated products is at the forefront of driving growth in the global stem cells market. Such research projects have generated various possibilities of different clinical applications of these cells, to usher in new treatments for diseases.

Request for a Discount on Stem Cells Market Report

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=D&rep_id=132

Since cellular therapies are considered the next major step in transforming healthcare, companies are expanding their cellular therapy portfolio to include a range of ailments such as Parkinsons disease, type 1 diabetes, spinal cord injury, Alzheimers disease, etc.

The growing prevalence of chronic diseases and increasing investments of pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies in stem cell research are the key driving factors for the stem cells therapeutics market. The growing number of stem cell donors, improved stem cell banking facilities, and increasing research and development are other crucial factors serving to propel the market, explains the lead analyst of the report.

About Us

Transparency Market Research is a next-generation market intelligence provider, offering fact-based solutions to business leaders, consultants, and strategy professionals.

Our reports are single-point solutions for businesses to grow, evolve, and mature. Our real-time data collection methods along with ability to track more than one million high growth niche products are aligned with your aims. The detailed and proprietary statistical models used by our analysts offer insights for making right decision in the shortest span of time. For organizations that require specific but comprehensive information we offer customized solutions through adhoc reports. These requests are delivered with the perfect combination of right sense of fact-oriented problem solving methodologies and leveraging existing data repositories.

TMR believes that unison of solutions for clients-specific problems with right methodology of research is the key to help enterprises reach right decision.

ContactTransparency Market ResearchState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY 12207United StatesTel:+1-518-618-1030USA Canada Toll Free:866-552-3453Email:[emailprotected]Website:http://www.transparencymarketresearch.comResearch Blog:https://theglobalhealthnews.com/

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Stem Cells Market is Expected to Register a Healthy CAGR of 13.8% During the Period from 2017 to 2025 - Statsflash

NurOwn showed a good safety profile, as well as potential efficacy in a Phase 2 clinical trial that included people with rapidly progressing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Trial results, which have been previously reported, have now been published in the journalNeurology in a paper titled, NurOwn, phase 2, randomized, clinical trial in patients with ALS.

NurOwn, which is being developed by BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics, is a stem cell-based therapy. It involves taking mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), a type of cell capable of differentiating into other cell types, from a person.

These MSCs are modified so they produce more neurotrophic factors (NTFs) compounds that help drive the growth and survival of nervous tissue. The cells are then re-introduced to the body by injection into muscles and/or the spinal canal (termed intramuscular and intrathecal injection, respectively).

In the Phase 2 trial (NCT02017912), which was funded by BrainStorm, 48 people with ALS were enrolled; 36 were treated with NurOwn, and 12 were given a placebo. Participants received the treatment after a three-month pretransplant period, and were followed for six months after treatment.

The participants were predominantly (72.9%) male, and their average age was 51.1 years.

The studys primary goal of the study was to evaluate safety, measured by number of patients with adverse events to treatment, and this goal was met. The use of NurOwn was found to be safe and well-tolerated.

Eleven participants nine in the treatment group and two in the placebo group developed 16 serious adverse events (SAEs).

All treatment-emergent SAEs [those that occurred after start of treatment] were deemed to be related to ALS disease progression, and none was considered possibly, probably, or definitely related to study treatment, the researchers noted.

Data were also analyzed for early indications of treatment efficacy. Researchers specifically looked at rate of disease progression, as measured by the slope (that is, the change over time) in scores on the Revised ALS Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R).

Overall, these rates were not significantly different between the NurOwn-treated and placebo groups.

However, in a subset of 21 patients with particularly rapid disease progression (15 given NurOwn and six a placebo), the average rate of disease progression showed a significantly improvement at two weeks (+3.3 vs. 1.3) and four weeks (+2.0 vs. 0.1) following treatment for those that got NurOwn.

Rapid progressors were defined in this study, at enrollment, as those with a decline of more than 2 points in ALSFRS-R scores during the pretreatment period.

This positive trend continued for all study time points, but it was not statistically significant after four weeks.

The researchers also looked at the proportion of patients with an improvement of at least 1.5 points each month, based on the reasoning that, responder analyses may more accurately capture individual treatment responses than changes in mean slope alone. That is, because each individual with ALS is different, some might be more likely to respond to treatment than others.

At four weeks post-treatment, a significantly greater proportion of those given NurOwn compared to placebo met this responder threshold (47% vs. 9%). In the rapid progression group, there were significant differences at both week four and week twelve (80% vs. 0%, and 53% vs. 0%, respectively).

For all of the above efficacy measurements, the greatest response was seen shortly following the injection, with decreasing response over time. This may suggest the need for repeated treatments to maintain a sustained therapeutic effect, the researchers wrote.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was collected just before and two weeks after the injection. Analysis of this fluid, broadly, showed an increase in levels of NTFs and a decrease in inflammatory markers, which suggests that NurOwn works as intended. (CSFfluid surrounds the brain and spinal cord.)

Specifically, the levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), a marker of immune cell infiltration and neuroinflammation, were significantly lower post-treatment in patients given NurOwn, while no significant change was observed in the placebo group. This correlated with ALSFRS-R slope improvement at all time points.

[W]e observed a clear biological effect of the treatment on CSF biomarkers to support its proposed mechanism of action in ALS, Robert H. Brown Jr., PhD, MD, of the University of Massachusetts Medical School and a study co-author, said in a BrainStorm press release.

We met our primary endpoint and demonstrated that a single dose of NurOwn was safe and well-tolerated while supporting NurOwns mechanism of action on neuroprotection and neuroinflammation pathways in ALS, added Ralph Kern, MD, MHSc, chief operating officer and chief medical officer of BrainStorm.

We look forward to completing the current Phase 3 study to confirm the promising Phase 2 findings and expand our understanding of the potential of MSC-NTF cell therapy in ALS, Kern added.

A fully enrolled, placebo-controlled Phase 3 study (NCT03280056) is underway in the U.S. in 200 ALS patients, and a secondary safety analysis found no new concerns. The trial is expected to conclude in late 2020, with results announced shortly thereafter.

Results from the [Phase 2] study underscore the importance of conducting a larger Phase 3 clinical trial that will build upon the data collected in our Phase 2 study, said Chaim Lebovits, Brainstorms president and chief executive officer. We look forward to reporting our clinical results in the scientific literature and through corporate announcements.

Marisa holds an MS in Cellular and Molecular Pathology from the University of Pittsburgh, where she studied novel genetic drivers of ovarian cancer. She specializes in cancer biology, immunology, and genetics. Marisa began working with BioNews in 2018, and has written about science and health for SelfHacked and the Genetics Society of America. She also writes/composes musicals and coaches the University of Pittsburgh fencing club.

Total Posts: 279

Margarida graduated with a BS in Health Sciences from the University of Lisbon and a MSc in Biotechnology from Instituto Superior Tcnico (IST-UL). She worked as a molecular biologist research associate at a Cambridge UK-based biotech company that discovers and develops therapeutic, fully human monoclonal antibodies.

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Phase 2 Trial Data on ALS NurOwn Therapy, Supporting Safety And Early Efficacy, Published - ALS News Today

BEDFORD, Mass., Nov. 26, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Homology Medicines, Inc. (Nasdaq: FIXX), a genetic medicines company, announced today a peer-reviewed publication demonstrating its proprietary adeno-associated viral vectors (AAVHSCs) crossed the blood-brain-barrier and blood-nerve-barrier in non-human primates (NHPs), highlighting their potential to deliver gene therapy for central and peripheral nervous system disorders.

The publication includes the initial characterization of biodistribution with three of Homologys 15 AAVHSCs, including their ability to transduce, or target, key cells following a single intravenous (I.V.) administration in NHPs. AAVHSCs are naturally occurring vectors originally isolated from human hematopoietic stem cells.

Many neurological diseases, including lysosomal storage and neuromuscular disorders, have cognitive and systemic components requiring a genetic medicine to reach multiple tissues to target the disease-relevant cell types, said Albert Seymour, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of Homology Medicines. Here we evaluated the ability of three of our novel AAVHSCs to cross the blood-brain-barrier and the blood-nerve barrier after I.V. administration in NHPs in addition to other key tissues, which allows us to choose the vectors best suited for particular diseases. We have observed that small sequence changes among our family of AAVHSCs are associated with differences in their ability to target disease-relevant tissues. We continue to characterize these properties and the potential of AAVHSCs as vehicles for therapeutic delivery.

Following I.V. administration of AAVHSC -7, -15 and -17 in NHPs, analyses showed transduction and transgene expression:

The publication, Clade F AAVHSCs Cross the Blood Brain Barrier and Transduce the Central Nervous System in Addition to Peripheral Tissues Following Intravenous Administration in Nonhuman Primates, was peer-reviewed and published in the journal PLOS ONE. For more information, please visithttps://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0225582or http://www.homologymedicines.com/publications.

About Homology Medicines, Inc. Homology Medicines, Inc. is a genetic medicines company dedicated to transforming the lives of patients suffering from rare genetic diseases with significant unmet medical needs by curing the underlying cause of the disease. Homologys proprietary platform is designed to utilize its human hematopoietic stem cell-derived adeno-associated virus vectors (AAVHSCs) to precisely and efficiently deliver genetic medicinesin vivoeither through a gene therapy or nuclease-free gene editing modality across a broad range of genetic disorders. Homology has a management team with a successful track record of discovering, developing and commercializing therapeutics with a particular focus on rare diseases, and intellectual property covering its suite of 15 AAVHSCs. Homology believes that its compelling preclinical data, scientific expertise, product development strategy, manufacturing capabilities and intellectual property position it as a leader in the development of genetic medicines. For more information, please visitwww.homologymedicines.com.

Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements contained in this press release that do not relate to matters of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements, including without limitation statements regarding our expectations surrounding the potential, safety, efficacy, and regulatory and clinical progress of our product candidates; beliefs about preclinical data and the properties and potential of our AAVHSCs; and our position as a leader in the development of genetic medicines. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the following: we have and expect to continue to incur significant losses; our need for additional funding, which may not be available; failure to identify additional product candidates and develop or commercialize marketable products; the early stage of our development efforts; potential unforeseen events during clinical trials could cause delays or other adverse consequences; risks relating to the capabilities and potential expansion of our manufacturing facility; risks relating to the regulatory approval process; our product candidates may cause serious adverse side effects; inability to maintain our collaborations, or the failure of these collaborations; our reliance on third parties; failure to obtain U.S. or international marketing approval; ongoing regulatory obligations; effects of significant competition; unfavorable pricing regulations, third-party reimbursement practices or healthcare reform initiatives; product liability lawsuits; failure to attract, retain and motivate qualified personnel; the possibility of system failures or security breaches; risks relating to intellectual property and significant costs as a result of operating as a public company. These and other important factors discussed under the caption Risk Factors in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter endedSeptember 30, 2019and our other filings with theSECcould cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements made in this press release. Any such forward-looking statements represent managements estimates as of the date of this press release. While we may elect to update such forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we disclaim any obligation to do so, even if subsequent events cause our views to change.

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Homology Medicines Announces Peer-Reviewed Publication Demonstrating its AAVHSC Vectors Crossed the Blood-Brain-Barrier and Blood-Nerve-Barrier in...

Former Humbolt Broncos player Ryan Straschnitzki. Doctors implanted an epidural stimulator in Straschnitzkis spine earlier this month and a week later injected stem cells above and below the injury in the hope that will help reverse some of the damage.

Todd Korol/The Canadian Press

The mother of a hockey player paralyzed in the Humboldt Broncos bus crash says shes stunned by the progress he has made since receiving spinal surgery in Thailand.

Doctors implanted an epidural stimulator in Ryan Straschnitzkis spine earlier this month and a week later injected stem cells above and below the injury in the hope that will help reverse some of the damage.

The 20-year-old from Airdrie, Alta., is to remain in Thailand until early December.

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Hands down Im 200-per-cent behind this. I didnt expect this kind of result this quickly, Michelle Straschnitzki said in an interview. Its definitely not a quick fix. Its not a cure, but its certainly progress and its more than weve had in 19 months.

Tom Straschnitzki, who is also in Thailand, has posted a number of videos of his sons rehab, including one where the young man was able to move a leg. Another video shows him strapped into a harness as physiotherapists slowly help him walk with the use of a machine on wheels.

Bout time he got off his ass. 1st time since he boarded the bus that horrendous day, Straschnitzki tweeted.

Therapist helping with knees and ankles so they dont buckle. Ryan did so good, I sent him to the beer store for me.

Ryan Straschnitzki was one of 13 players who were injured when an inexperienced truck driver blew through a stop sign and into the path of the Saskatchewan junior hockey teams bus in April, 2018. Sixteen others on the bus died.

Straschnitzki, who was paralyzed from the chest down, has said he isnt expecting a cure, but hopes the implant will restore some muscle movement and things such as bladder control.

A small device like a remote control is to send electrical currents to his spinal cord to try to stimulate nerves and move limbs. The implant is being programmed to stimulate certain nerves mapped out by surgeons and therapists.

Story continues below advertisement

Story continues below advertisement

The surgery can cost up to $100,000 and isnt covered by public health care or insurance, because the epidural procedure has not been approved by Health Canada. The family is paying for it themselves. It is also performed in countries such as the United States and Switzerland, but it is much cheaper in Thailand.

The players mother, who didnt go to Thailand, said hes been low key when shes talked to him.

In typical Ryan fashion hes very quiet. All he says is hes very tired and you can tell. His body, his mind, everything is tired because hes pushing as far as he can.

Her son takes part in nerve mapping in the morning, does physio in the afternoon and then does more work with the implant, she said. He still plans to hit the ice in Bangkok with his hockey sledge before returning home.

Straschnitzki said seeing her boys progress on the videos stunned her.

I was just absolutely floored. It obviously brought the tears. I was bawling. It was unreal, she said.

Story continues below advertisement

Tom said the last time Ryan walked was when he walked on the bus and then, to watch him moving his legs, walking essentially, that just rocked me.

Our Morning Update and Evening Update newsletters are written by Globe editors, giving you a concise summary of the days most important headlines. Sign up today.

A sledge hockey team made up of talented Tier 1 players will be wearing Calgary Flames jerseys when they hit the ice at the upcoming 2019 USA Hockey Sled Classic which will be presented by the NHL in St. Louis next month. The Canadian Press

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'I was bawling': Mother of former Humboldt Broncos player says she's stunned by his progress after surgery - The Globe and Mail

Medically reviewed by Richard M. Stone, MD

More than 60,000 new cases ofadult leukemiaare diagnosed in the U.S. each year. Although it is one of the more common childhood cancers,leukemia occurs more often in older adults.

Leukemia is a cancer of the bodys blood-forming tissues that results in large numbers of abnormal or immature white blood cells. The main types of leukemia are:

AML causes the bone marrow to produce immature white blood cells (called myeloblasts). As a result, patients may have a very high or lowwhite blood cellcount, and lowred blood cellsandplatelets.

CLL is the second most common type of leukemia in adults. It is a type of cancer in which the bone marrow makes too many maturelymphocytes(a type of white blood cell).

ALL is a type of leukemia in which the bone marrow makes too many immaturelymphocytes. Similar to AML, the white blood cells can be high or low and oftentimes the platelets and red blood cells are low. This form of leukemia is more common in children than adults.

CML is usually a slowly progressing disease in which too many mature white blood cells are made in the bone marrow.

People with leukemia may experience:

Because these symptoms can be caused by a variety of other conditions, its important to check with your doctor if they arise.

While studies have shown men to be more atrisk than women, some other risk factors include:

While test procedures vary based on the type of leukemia, the two most common procedures are thecomplete blood count(CBC) test and the bone marrow aspiration biopsy.

CBC is a procedure used to check the redblood cell and platelet counts as well as the number and type of white bloodcells (the red cells carry oxygen, the white cells fight and prevent infection,and platelets control bleeding). A bone marrow aspiration biopsy involvesremoving a sample of bone marrow, including a small piece of bone by insertinga needle into the hipbone. The sample is then examined for abnormal cells.

Treatment for leukemia varies depending on the type and specific diagnosis.

The treatment for acute leukemias may be lengthy up to two years in ALL and is usually done in phases. The first phase, known as remission induction therapy, involves administering several chemotherapy drugs over a several-week period. The goal is to destroy as many cancer cells as possible to achieve a remission (in which cancer cells are undetectable, but small amounts are still present).

The second phase, known aspost-remission or consolidation therapy, seeks to kill leukemia cells thatremain after remission induction therapy. This phase may involve chemotherapyand/or a stem cell transplant.

Additional treatments may also be necessary. ALL patients, for example, may receive special treatment to prevent the disease from recurring in the spinal cord or brain.

The treatment for CML has been revolutionized by the advent of the oral medication imatinib and the second- and third-generation drugs known as tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). These are oral medications that work to inhibit the function of theBCR-ABLprotein. Many patients take these medications for the rest of their lives. In rare instances, a patient may require a stem cell transplant.

Some patients with CLL are recommended formonitoring and observation. Others,usually those with symptoms or low red cell or platelet counts, requiretreatment. Such treatment may involve intravenous chemotherapy, but often withoral therapy with pills that inhibit the function of a key protein, Brutonstyrosine kinase.

Treatments for leukemia can include:

Drugs that harness the immune system in fighting leukemia have shown considerable promise. Some monoclonal antibodies synthetic versions of immune system proteins are already in use to treat certain forms of leukemia and others are being studies in clinical trials.

Another form of immunotherapy, immune checkpoint inhibitors, which release a pent-up immune system attack on tumor cells, is being tested in several forms of leukemia. Cancer vaccines, which boost the immune systems ability to fight cancer, are being studied for use in leukemia.

CAR T-cell therapy, which uses modified immune system T cells to better target and kill tumor cells, has achieved impressive results in trials involving children and adults up to age 25 with relapsed ALL.

Research into new treatments for adult leukemia is moving along several tracks in addition to immunotherapy.

By tracking the specific abnormal genes within leukemia cells, physicians are increasingly able to tailor treatment to the unique characteristics of the disease in each patient. Targeted drugs such as imatinib and dasatinib, for example, are now used in treating patients with ALL whose leukemia cells have an abnormality known as the Philadelphia chromosome. Targeted agents including IDH or FLT3 inhibitors, which zero in on proteins made from mutated genes, have been approved to treat some patients with AML, while other such inhibitors are being tested in clinical trials.

New tests make it possible to detect ever smaller amounts of leukemia that remain after treatment. Investigators are exploring how these minute levels may influence a patients prognosis and how they might impact treatment.

Researchers are testing whether treatment periods for certain drugs can be safely reduced in some patients. For instance, studies are under way to determine if drugs such as imatinib, which are currently taken for life, can be safely stopped in some patients with CML. Researchers hope to test whether treating patients with CLL with the drug ibrutinib plus other medicine for a fixed amount of time is safe and effective.

Patients may consider treatment through a clinical trial.Dana-Farber currently has more than 30 clinical trials for adult leukemia. A national list of clinical trials is available atclinicaltrials.gov.

Read more:
Adult Leukemia: What You Need to Know - Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

What are stem cells and what role can they play in medicine andresearch? Stem cell research offers exciting possibilities in terms ofregenerative medicine. However, there are ethical controversies and challengesimpeding the fields advancement. In this article, The Medium presents a briefoverview of the unique abilities, applications, and challenges of stem cells.

According tothe National Institute of Health, stem cells are able to develop into manydifferent cell types in the body during early life and growth. When stem cellsdivide, the new cell can become another stem cell or it can become aspecialized cell such as a muscle cell or a brain cell. Stem cells provide newcells for the body as it grows and replaces damaged or lost specialized cells.The two unique properties of stem cells are that the stem cells can dividemultiple times to produce new cells, and as they divide, the stem cells cangenerate other types of cells found in the body.

In organs suchas the gut and the bone marrow (the soft tissue inside most bones), stem cellsroutinely divide to replace damaged tissue. However, in other organs such asthe heart, stem cells require certain physiological conditions to facilitate celldivision.

Stem cells canbe divided into two categories: embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells.Embryonic stem cells are derived from a blastocystan early stage of embryodevelopment. The blastocyst contains the trophectoderm, which will eventuallyform the placenta, and the inner cell mass, which will develop into the embryo,and later into the organism. Stem cells taken from the inner cell mass arepluripotentthey can develop into any cell type in the body. The embryonic stemcells used in research are sourced from unused embryos that were a result of anin vitro fertilization procedure and were donated for scientific research.

Adult stemcells also have the ability to divide into more than one cell type; however,they are often restricted to certain types of cells. For example, an adult stemcell found in the liver will only divide into more liver cells. In 2006, ShinyaYamanaka, a Japanese stem cell researcher, discovered how to program inducedpluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). iPSCs are adult cells which have beengenetically reprogrammed into a pluripotent embryonic stem cell-like state.Yamanaka won the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine alongside Englishdevelopmental biologist Sir John Gurdon in 2012 for this important discovery.

There arenumerous ways in which stem cells can be used. Firstly, human embryonic stemcells can provide information as to how cells divide into tissues and organs.Abnormal cell division can cause cancer and birth defects, and therefore, amore comprehensive understanding of the processes underlying cell division maysuggest new therapy strategies. Another beneficial avenue involves drug testingas new medications could be tested on cells developed from stem cells in thelab. However, a challenge for researchers is to create an environment identicalto the conditions found in the human body.

Finally, stemcells present exciting possibilities in cell-based therapies and regenerativemedicine. Instead of relying on a limited supply of donated organs and tissuesto replace damaged and destroyed ones, stem cells could be directed to developinto the desired cell type and treat diseases such as heart disease, diabetes,and spinal cord injuries. For example, healthy heart muscle cells could begenerated from stem cells in a laboratory and transplanted into an individualwith heart disease. However, there is still research and testing which needs tobe conducted before researchers can confirm how to effectively and safely usestem cells to treat serious disease.

As explainedby the University of Rochesters medical centre, there are several challengesassociated with stem cells. Researchers first need to learn about how embryonicstem cells develop so that they can control the type of cells generated fromstem cells. Scientists also need to determine how to ensure that the cellsdeveloped from stem cells in the lab are not rejected by the human body. Adultpluripotent stem cells are found in small amounts in the human body and arehard to grow in the lab. There are also numerous ethical issues surrounding theuse of embryonic stem cells as some individuals believe that using cells froman unused blastocyst and consequently, rendering it incapable to develop intoan organism, is similar to destroying an unborn child. Others argue that theblastocyst is not a child yet as it needs to be imbedded into the mothersuterus wall before it has the chance to develop into a fetus. Supporters ofembryonic stem cell research also say that many surplus blastocysts aredestroyed in fertility clinics and can be better used to research medicaltreatments which could save peoples lives.

Students canlearn more about stem cells in BIO380H5: Human Development. Furthermore, Dr.Ted Erlicks lab at UTM is researching how complex neural circuits developfrom an initial population of stem cells. Stem cell research offers promisingavenues of treating diseases and understanding how humans develop. However,there is still a substantial amount of research which needs to be conducted andethical concerns which need to be appropriately addressed and resolved.

See more here:
Stem cells' role in medicine and research - The Medium

The mother of a hockey player paralyzed in the Humboldt Broncos bus crash says shes stunned by the progress he has made since receiving spinal surgery in Thailand.

Doctors implanted an epidural stimulator in Ryan Straschnitzkis spine earlier this month and a week later injected stem cells above and below the injury in the hope that will help reverse some of the damage.

Ryan Straschnitzki was presented a jersey as hockey players from the non-profit PX3 AMP Sledge Hockey Academy have been endorsed by the Calgary Flames as its affiliate sledge hockey team at the upcoming 2019 USA Hockey Sled Classic presented by the NHL in St. Louis from Nov. 21 Nov. 24, 2019 at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary on Wednesday, October 30, 2019. Darren Makowichuk/PostmediaDarren Makowichuk / DARREN MAKOWICHUK/Postmedia

The 20-year-old from Airdrie, Alta., is to remain in Thailand until early December.

Hands down Im 200 per cent behind this. I didnt expect this kind of result this quickly, Michelle Straschnitzki said in an interview. Its definitely not a quick fix. Its not a cure, but its certainly progress and its more than weve had in 19 months.

Tom Straschnitzki, who is also in Thailand, has posted a number of videos of his sons rehab, including one where the young man was able to move a leg. Another video shows him strapped into a harness as physiotherapists slowly help him walk with the use of a machine on wheels.

Bout time he got off his ass. 1st time since he boarded the bus that horrendous day, Straschnitzki tweeted.

Therapist helping with knees and ankles so they dont buckle. Ryan did so good, I sent him to the beer store for me.

Straschnitzki was one of 13 players who were injured when an inexperienced truck driver blew through a stop sign and into the path of the Saskatchewan junior hockey teams bus in April 2018. Sixteen others on the bus died.

Straschnitzki, who was paralyzed from the chest down, has said he isnt expecting a cure but hopes the implant will restore some muscle movement and things such as bladder control.

A small device like a remote control is to send electrical currents to his spinal cord to try to stimulate nerves and move limbs. The implant is being programmed to stimulate certain nerves mapped out by surgeons and therapists.

The surgery can cost up to $100,000 and isnt covered by public health care or insurance, because the epidural procedure has not been approved by Health Canada. The family is paying for it themselves. It is also performed in countries such as the United States and Switzerland, but it is much cheaper in Thailand.

The players mother, who didnt go to Thailand, said hes been low key when shes talked to him.

In typical Ryan fashion hes very quiet. All he says is hes very tired and you can tell. His body, his mind, everything is tired because hes pushing as far as he can.

Her son takes part in nerve mapping in the morning, does physio in the afternoon and then does more work with the implant, she said. He still plans to hit the ice in Bangkok with his hockey sledge before returning home.

Straschnitzki said seeing her boys progress on the videos stunned her.

I was just absolutely floored. It obviously brought the tears. I was bawling. It was unreal, she said.

Tom said the last time Ryan walked was when he walked on the bus and then, to watch him moving his legs, walking essentially, that just rocked me.

Humboldt Broncos crash survivor Ryan Straschnitzki takes a moment during practice at Winsport in Calgary, on Aug. 7, 2018.Leah Hennel / Postmedia

Read more here:
'It was unreal': Mother of injured Bronco Ryan Straschnitzki stunned by his progress after surgery - Saskatoon StarPhoenix

The mother of a hockey player paralyzed in the Humboldt Broncos bus crash says shes stunned by the progress he has made since receiving spinal surgery in Thailand.

Doctors implanted an epidural stimulator in Ryan Straschnitzkis spine earlier this month and a week later injected stem cells above and below the injury in the hope that will help reverse some of the damage.

Ryan Straschnitzki was presented a jersey as hockey players from the non-profit PX3 AMP Sledge Hockey Academy have been endorsed by the Calgary Flames as its affiliate sledge hockey team at the upcoming 2019 USA Hockey Sled Classic presented by the NHL in St. Louis from Nov. 21 Nov. 24, 2019 at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary on Wednesday, October 30, 2019. Darren Makowichuk/PostmediaDarren Makowichuk / DARREN MAKOWICHUK/Postmedia

The 20-year-old from Airdrie, Alta., is to remain in Thailand until early December.

Hands down Im 200 per cent behind this. I didnt expect this kind of result this quickly, Michelle Straschnitzki said in an interview. Its definitely not a quick fix. Its not a cure, but its certainly progress and its more than weve had in 19 months.

Tom Straschnitzki, who is also in Thailand, has posted a number of videos of his sons rehab, including one where the young man was able to move a leg. Another video shows him strapped into a harness as physiotherapists slowly help him walk with the use of a machine on wheels.

Bout time he got off his ass. 1st time since he boarded the bus that horrendous day, Straschnitzki tweeted.

Therapist helping with knees and ankles so they dont buckle. Ryan did so good, I sent him to the beer store for me.

Straschnitzki was one of 13 players who were injured when an inexperienced truck driver blew through a stop sign and into the path of the Saskatchewan junior hockey teams bus in April 2018. Sixteen others on the bus died.

Straschnitzki, who was paralyzed from the chest down, has said he isnt expecting a cure but hopes the implant will restore some muscle movement and things such as bladder control.

A small device like a remote control is to send electrical currents to his spinal cord to try to stimulate nerves and move limbs. The implant is being programmed to stimulate certain nerves mapped out by surgeons and therapists.

The surgery can cost up to $100,000 and isnt covered by public health care or insurance, because the epidural procedure has not been approved by Health Canada. The family is paying for it themselves. It is also performed in countries such as the United States and Switzerland, but it is much cheaper in Thailand.

The players mother, who didnt go to Thailand, said hes been low key when shes talked to him.

In typical Ryan fashion hes very quiet. All he says is hes very tired and you can tell. His body, his mind, everything is tired because hes pushing as far as he can.

Her son takes part in nerve mapping in the morning, does physio in the afternoon and then does more work with the implant, she said. He still plans to hit the ice in Bangkok with his hockey sledge before returning home.

Straschnitzki said seeing her boys progress on the videos stunned her.

I was just absolutely floored. It obviously brought the tears. I was bawling. It was unreal, she said.

Tom said the last time Ryan walked was when he walked on the bus and then, to watch him moving his legs, walking essentially, that just rocked me.

Humboldt Broncos crash survivor Ryan Straschnitzki takes a moment during practice at Winsport in Calgary, on Aug. 7, 2018.Leah Hennel / Postmedia

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'It was unreal': Mother of injured Bronco Ryan Straschnitzki stunned by his progress after surgery - The Province

The mother of a hockey player paralyzed in the Humboldt Broncos bus crash says shes stunned by the progress he has made since receiving spinal surgery in Thailand.

Doctors implanted an epidural stimulator in Ryan Straschnitzkis spine earlier this month and a week later injected stem cells above and below the injury in the hope that will help reverse some of the damage.

Ryan Straschnitzki was presented a jersey as hockey players from the non-profit PX3 AMP Sledge Hockey Academy have been endorsed by the Calgary Flames as its affiliate sledge hockey team at the upcoming 2019 USA Hockey Sled Classic presented by the NHL in St. Louis from Nov. 21 Nov. 24, 2019 at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary on Wednesday, October 30, 2019. Darren Makowichuk/PostmediaDarren Makowichuk / DARREN MAKOWICHUK/Postmedia

The 20-year-old from Airdrie, Alta., is to remain in Thailand until early December.

Hands down Im 200 per cent behind this. I didnt expect this kind of result this quickly, Michelle Straschnitzki said in an interview. Its definitely not a quick fix. Its not a cure, but its certainly progress and its more than weve had in 19 months.

Tom Straschnitzki, who is also in Thailand, has posted a number of videos of his sons rehab, including one where the young man was able to move a leg. Another video shows him strapped into a harness as physiotherapists slowly help him walk with the use of a machine on wheels.

Bout time he got off his ass. 1st time since he boarded the bus that horrendous day, Straschnitzki tweeted.

Therapist helping with knees and ankles so they dont buckle. Ryan did so good, I sent him to the beer store for me.

Straschnitzki was one of 13 players who were injured when an inexperienced truck driver blew through a stop sign and into the path of the Saskatchewan junior hockey teams bus in April 2018. Sixteen others on the bus died.

Straschnitzki, who was paralyzed from the chest down, has said he isnt expecting a cure but hopes the implant will restore some muscle movement and things such as bladder control.

A small device like a remote control is to send electrical currents to his spinal cord to try to stimulate nerves and move limbs. The implant is being programmed to stimulate certain nerves mapped out by surgeons and therapists.

The surgery can cost up to $100,000 and isnt covered by public health care or insurance, because the epidural procedure has not been approved by Health Canada. The family is paying for it themselves. It is also performed in countries such as the United States and Switzerland, but it is much cheaper in Thailand.

The players mother, who didnt go to Thailand, said hes been low key when shes talked to him.

In typical Ryan fashion hes very quiet. All he says is hes very tired and you can tell. His body, his mind, everything is tired because hes pushing as far as he can.

Her son takes part in nerve mapping in the morning, does physio in the afternoon and then does more work with the implant, she said. He still plans to hit the ice in Bangkok with his hockey sledge before returning home.

Straschnitzki said seeing her boys progress on the videos stunned her.

I was just absolutely floored. It obviously brought the tears. I was bawling. It was unreal, she said.

Tom said the last time Ryan walked was when he walked on the bus and then, to watch him moving his legs, walking essentially, that just rocked me.

Humboldt Broncos crash survivor Ryan Straschnitzki takes a moment during practice at Winsport in Calgary, on Aug. 7, 2018.Leah Hennel / Postmedia

More:
'It was unreal': Mother of injured Bronco Ryan Straschnitzki stunned by his progress after surgery - Edmonton Sun

The mother ofa hockey player paralyzed in the Humboldt Broncos bus crash says she's stunned by the progress he has made since receiving spinal surgery in Thailand.

Doctors implanted an epidural stimulator in Ryan Straschnitzki's spine earlier this monthand a week later injected stem cells above and below the injury in the hope thatwill help reverse some of the damage.

The 20-year-old from Airdrie, Alta., is to remain in Thailand until early December.

"Hands down I'm 200 per cent behind this. I didn't expect this kind of result this quickly," Michelle Straschnitzki said in aninterview. "It's definitely not a quick fix. It's not a cure, but it's certainly progress and it's more than we've had in 19 months."

Tom Straschnitzki, who is also inThailand,has posted a number of videos of his son's rehab, including one where the young manwas able to move a leg. Another video shows him strapped into a harness as physiotherapists slowly help him walk with the use of a machine on wheels.

"Bout time he got off his ass. 1st time since he boarded the bus that horrendous day," Straschnitzki tweeted.

"Therapist helping with knees and ankles so they don't buckle. Ryan did so good, I sent him to the beer store for me."

Straschnitzki was one of 13 players who were injured when an inexperienced truck driver blew through a stop sign and into the path of the Saskatchewan junior hockey team's bus in April 2018. Sixteen others on the bus died.

Straschnitzki, who was paralyzed from the chest down, has said he isn't expecting a cure but hopes the implant will restore some muscle movement and things such as bladder control.

A small device like a remote control is to send electrical currents to his spinal cord to try to stimulate nerves and move limbs. The implant is being programmed to stimulate certain nerves mapped out by surgeons and therapists.

The surgery can cost up to $100,000 and isn't covered by publichealth care or insurance, because the epidural procedure has not been approved by Health Canada.The familyis paying for it themselves. It is also performed in countries such as the United States and Switzerland, but it is much cheaper in Thailand.

The player's mother, who didn't go to Thailand, said he's been low key when she's talked to him.

"Intypical Ryan fashion he's very quiet. All he says is he's very tired and you can tell. His body, his mind, everything is tired because he's pushing as far as he can."

Her sontakes part in nerve mappingin the morning, does physio in the afternoon and then does more work with the implant, she said. He still plans to hit the ice in Bangkokwith his hockey sledge before returning home.

Straschnitzkisaid seeingher boy'sprogress on the videos stunned her.

"I was just absolutely floored. It obviously brought the tears. I was bawling. It was unreal," she said.

"Tom said the last time Ryan walked was when he walked on the bus and then, to watch him moving his legs, walking essentially, that just rocked me."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 22, 2019.

Follow @BillGraveland on Twitter

Bill Graveland, The Canadian Press

Original post:
'I was bawling': Injured Bronco's mother stunned by his progress after surgery - Airdrie Today

CARLSBAD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Lineage Cell Therapeutics, Inc. (NYSE American and TASE: LCTX), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing novel cellular therapies for unmet medical needs, today provided an update on OPC1, the Companys oligodendrocyte progenitor cell (OPC) therapy currently being tested in a Phase I/IIa clinical trial, the SCiStar Study, for the treatment of acute spinal cord injury (SCI). Lineage reported positive results from the ongoing SCiStar study of OPC1, where the overall safety profile of OPC1 has remained excellent with robust motor recovery in upper extremities maintained through Year 2 patient follow-ups available to date. Additionally, OPC1 manufacturing has been completely transferred to the Companys cGMP manufacturing facility in Israel and manufacturing process improvements are planned to continue throughout 2020. Moreover, Lineage intends to meet with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to discuss further development of the OPC1 program around the middle of 2020.

We remain extremely excited about the potential for OPC1 to provide enhanced motor recovery to patients with spinal cord injuries. We are not aware of any other investigative therapy for SCI which has reported as encouraging clinical outcomes as OPC1, particularly with continued improvement beyond 1 year, stated Brian M. Culley, CEO of Lineage Cell Therapeutics. Overall gains in motor function for the population assessed to date have continued, with Year 2 assessments measuring the same or higher than at Year 1. For example, 5 out of 6 Cohort 2 patients have recovered two or more motor levels on at least one side as of their Year 2 visit whereas 4 of 6 patients in this group had recovered two motor levels as of their Year 1 visit. To put these improvements into perspective, a one motor level gain means the ability to move ones arm, which contributes to the ability to feed and clothe oneself or lift and transfer oneself from a wheelchair. These are tremendously meaningful improvements to quality of life and independence. Just as importantly, the overall safety of OPC1 has remained excellent and has been maintained 2 years following administration, as measured by MRIs in patients who have had their Year 2 follow-up visits to date. We look forward to providing further updates on clinical data from SCiStar as patients continue to come in for their scheduled follow up visits.

SCiStar Study Clinical Update

- Overall safety profile of OPC1 to date is excellent for Year 2 follow-ups available to date (21 patients)

- Motor level improvements

- Upper Extremity Motor Score (UEMS)

OPC1 Clinical Program Update

About the SCiStar Clinical Study

The SCiStar Study is an open-label, single-arm trial testing three sequential escalating doses of OPC1 which was administered 21 to 42 days post-injury, at up to 20 million OPC1 cells in 25 patients with subacute motor complete (AIS-A or AIS-B) cervical (C-4 to C-7) acute spinal cord injuries (SCI). These individuals had essentially lost all movement below their injury site and experienced severe paralysis of the upper and lower limbs. AIS-A patients had lost all motor and sensory function below their injury site, while AIS-B patients had lost all motor function but may have retained some minimal sensory function below their injury site. The primary endpoint in the SCiStar study was safety as assessed by the frequency and severity of adverse events related to OPC1, the injection procedure, and immunosuppression with short-term, low-dose tacrolimus. Secondary outcome measures included neurological functions as measured by upper extremity motor scores and motor level on International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury (ISNCSCI) examinations at 30, 60, 90, 180, 270, and 365 days after injection of OPC1.

About OPC1

OPC1 is an oligodendrocyte progenitor cell (OPC) therapy currently being tested in a Phase I/IIa clinical trial known as SCiStar for the treatment of acute spinal cord injuries. OPCs are naturally-occurring precursors to the cells which provide electrical insulation for nerve axons in the form of a myelin sheath. SCI occurs when the spinal cord is subjected to a severe crush or contusion injury and typically results in severe functional impairment, including limb paralysis, aberrant pain signaling, and loss of bladder control and other body functions. The clinical development of the OPC1 program has been partially funded by a $14.3 million grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine. OPC1 has received Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy (RMAT) designation for the treatment of acute SCI and has been granted Orphan Drug designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

About Lineage Cell Therapeutics, Inc.

Lineage Cell Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing novel cell therapies for unmet medical needs. Lineages programs are based on its proprietary cell-based therapy platform and associated development and manufacturing capabilities. With this platform Lineage develops and manufactures specialized, terminally-differentiated human cells from its pluripotent and progenitor cell starting materials. These differentiated cells are developed either to replace or support cells that are dysfunctional or absent due to degenerative disease or traumatic injury or administered as a means of helping the body mount an effective immune response to cancer. Lineages clinical assets include (i) OpRegen, a retinal pigment epithelium transplant therapy in Phase I/IIa development for the treatment of dry age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness in the developed world; (ii) OPC1, an oligodendrocyte progenitor cell therapy in Phase I/IIa development for the treatment of acute spinal cord injuries; and (iii) VAC2, an allogeneic cancer immunotherapy of antigen-presenting dendritic cells currently in Phase I development for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. Lineage is also evaluating potential partnership opportunities for Renevia, a facial aesthetics product that was recently granted a Conformit Europenne (CE) Mark. For more information, please visit http://www.lineagecell.com or follow the Company on Twitter @LineageCell.

Forward-Looking Statements

Lineage cautions you that all statements, other than statements of historical facts, contained in this press release, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements, in some cases, can be identified by terms such as believe, may, will, estimate, continue, anticipate, design, intend, expect, could, plan, potential, predict, seek, should, would, contemplate, project, target, tend to, or the negative version of these words and similar expressions. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to planned manufacturing process improvements and meetings with regulatory agencies. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause Lineages actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements in this press release, including risks and uncertainties inherent in Lineages business and other risks in Lineages filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC). Lineages forward-looking statements are based upon its current expectations and involve assumptions that may never materialize or may prove to be incorrect. All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. Further information regarding these and other risks is included under the heading Risk Factors in Lineages periodic reports with the SEC, including Lineages Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 14, 2019 and its other reports, which are available from the SECs website. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they were made. Lineage undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made, except as required by law.

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Lineage Cell Therapeutics Provides Update on SCiStar Clinical Study and OPC1 Spinal Cord Injury Program - Business Wire

Maxim Group analyst Jason McCarthy maintained a Buy rating on Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics (BCLI) yesterday and set a price target of $9.00. The companys shares closed last Monday at $3.70.

According to TipRanks.com, McCarthy has 0 stars on 0-5 star ranking scale with an average return of -22.0% and a 25.3% success rate. McCarthy covers the Healthcare sector, focusing on stocks such as SELLAS Life Sciences Group, Hancock Jaffe Laboratories, and Lineage Cell Therapeutics.

The word on The Street in general, suggests a Moderate Buy analyst consensus rating for Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics with a $9.00 average price target.

See todays analyst top recommended stocks >>

The company has a one-year high of $4.50 and a one-year low of $2.92. Currently, Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics has an average volume of 52.25K.

Based on the recent corporate insider activity of 12 insiders, corporate insider sentiment is negative on the stock. This means that over the past quarter there has been an increase of insiders selling their shares of BCLI in relation to earlier this year. Most recently, in August 2019, Irit Arbel, a Director at BCLI sold 13,332 shares for a total of $48,795.

TipRanks has tracked 36,000 company insiders and found that a few of them are better than others when it comes to timing their transactions. See which 3 stocks are most likely to make moves following their insider activities.

Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics, Inc. operates as a biotechnology company, which develops and commercializes adult stem cell therapeutic products. It focuses on utilizing the patients own bone marrow stem cells to generate neuron-like cells that may provide an effective treatment initially for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinsons disease, multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury. The company was founded on September 22, 2000 and is headquartered in New York, NJ.

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Maxim Group Maintains Their Buy Rating on Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics (BCLI) - Smarter Analyst

Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have won a number of grants this fall. Here's a look at some of the recently announced ones and the work those grants will be funding, all with links to full stories on the university's The Daily site.

1. First up, a new five-year, $2.2 million grant from Lubrizol Corp. will support STEM scholarships, internships, co-ops and joint research, a post said. The funding will also support programs focused on student research and women in science and engineering.

The joint research between CWRU and Lubrizol will focus on energy, human health, materials and sustainability.

"We are always interested in finding ways that the Case Western Reserve community can engage more fully with the industrial sector," university provost Ben Vinson III said in the post. "It is, along with our community and government partners, critical to the development of our students, our research endeavors and our innovation pathway. Working with the university's office of corporate relations, we are developing new strategies to deepen our industry collaborations that will include investment from our corporate partners to support programmatic areas across campus."

2. A five-year, $1.25 million grant will help the university better train developmental psychologists and speech language pathologists. The grant is from the U.S. Department of Education.

"Many children need extra help in their educational journey. Teachers cannot do it alone," Elizabeth Short, a professor in the Department of Psychological Sciences, said in a post. "Training professionals to provide supports is of paramount importance they are on the frontlines, providing the necessary help to optimize the development of children."

The project will emphasize the importance of working in teams, and the grant brings in both branches of the university's Department of Psychological Sciences: psychology and communication sciences.

3. A $425,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice will help Case Western Reserve's Begun Center for Violence Prevention Research and Education work with the city of Akron to analyze information in untested sexual assault kits. Identifying patterns of offender behavior could help the Akron Police Department respond to such assaults, a post said.

The team, led by research assistant professor Rachel Lovell, has also received two Department of Justice awards equaling $528,000 to continue similar work in Cuyahoga County.

4. CWRU and MetroHealth Medical Center researchers recently received more than $800,000 from the U.S. Department of Defense to study the experiences and needs of people with spinal cord injuries. Other partners include the United Spinal Association Northeast Ohio Chapter and the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center.

The three-year project will focus on the first year of recovery, and researchers will interview veterans and civilians, as well as their caregivers, a post said.

5. Finally, researchers at the Case Western Reserve School of Medicine have received a grant of almost $700,000 through the National Institutes of Health Somatic Cell Genome Editing program. If researchers continue to meet NIH milestones, the grant amount could increase to $2.78 million, a post said.

The researchers are looking to develop strategies to deliver genome editing complexes directly to stem cells, which could change how certain diseases are treated.

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Youngstown State, IBM to offer high-tech training in the Mahoning Valley - Crain's Cleveland Business

Have you wondered about new and innovative pain treatment processes that could change your quality of life?

Join us Monday, December 16, 7PM at the Woodbridge Main Library as Manisha Chahal, MD of Edison-Metuchen Orthopaedic Group discusses Regenerative Medicine to Treat Pain. Dr. Chahal will walk us through the promising results of regenerative medicine with a focus on platelet rich plasma and stem cells. She will explain how this process works and the evidence to support this cutting edge science. Dr. Chahal will also describe the best practices to go about and the indications to look out for. She will disclose how to avoid misleading providers and illegitimate products.

About Dr. Manisha Chahal, MD

Dr. Manisha Chahal is a board certified Interventional Pain Management Physician who specializes in minimally invasive procedures for pain.

Dr. Chahal treats the following conditions: headache, lower back pain, joint pain, neck pain, CRPS, postherpetic neuralgia, abdominal wall pain, pelvic pain, coccydynia, and sciatica.

Additionally, Dr. Chahal also performs the following procedures: spinal cord stimulators, regenerative medicine (PRP & stem cell injections), Botox for migraines, cervical epidural steroid injection, lumbar translaminar or transforaminal epidural steroid injections, cervical and lumbar facet rhizotomy, discograms, nerve blocks (ultrasound & C-arm guided), knee genicular blocks & rhizotomy, joint injections, trigger point injections, and qutenza treatment (chemical rhizotomy) for PHN pain.

She received her medical degree from Howard University where she was awarded a Trustee Scholarship for academic achievement. She completed her anesthesia residency training at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (Harvard) in Boston. Dr. Chahal did her Pain Management Fellowship at New York Presbyterian/ Weill Cornell Medical Center in NYC. She is board certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology for both anesthesia and pain medicine.

She treats a wide variety of pain diagnoses and has expertise in many procedures including spinal cord stimulators, transforaminal epidural injections, rhizotomies, ultrasound guided nerve blocks, regenerative treatments and botox.

Dr. Chahal's philosophy is use every pain management option available to help patients ease their pain and "get their life back."

The Woodbridge Main Library is located at 1 George Frederick Plaza in Woodbridge, NJ. If you have any questions or need any further information please contact us at 732-634-4450 or visit our website -www.woodbrigelibrary.org.

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Learn How You Can Treat Your Pain with Regenerative Medicine! - Patch.com