The following is management's discussion and analysis ("MD&A") of certainsignificant factors that have affected our financial position and operatingresults during the periods included in the accompanying financial statements, aswell as information relating to the plans of our current management. This reportincludes forward-looking statements. Generally, the words "believes,""anticipates," "may," "will," "should," "expect," "intend," "estimate,""continue," and similar expressions or the negative thereof or comparableterminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statementsare subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including the matters set forthin this report or other reports or documents we file with the Securities andExchange Commission from time to time, which could cause actual results oroutcomes to differ materially from those projected. Undue reliance should not beplaced on these forward-looking statements which speak only as of the datehereof. We undertake no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with ourfinancial statements and the related notes thereto and other financialinformation contained elsewhere in this Form 10-K

Our Ability To Continue as a Going Concern

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Biotechnology Product Candidates

GENERAL AMERICAN CAPITAL PARTNERS

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Index

Results of Operations Overview

Comparison of Years Ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020

Cost of sales consists of the costs associated with the production of MyoCathand test kits, product costs, labor for production and training and lab andbanking costs consistent with products and services provided.

Cost of sales was $52,030 in the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to$64,117 in the year ended December 31, 2020. The decrease is due to the decreasein revenues.

Research and development expenses were $0 in 2021 remaining the same as $0 in2020.

Selling, General and Administrative

Gain (loss) on settlement of debt

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In valuing our common stock, our Board of Directors considered a number offactors, including, but not limited to:

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Index

Options outstanding at December 31, 2021 110,643,884 $ 0.0247

Options exercisable at December 31, 2021 93,491,384 $ 0.0256

Available for grant at December 31, 2021 34,168,070

Average Number Weighted Average

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Index

Our primary sources of revenue are from the sale of test kits and equipment,training services, patient treatments, laboratory services and cell banking.

Patient treatments and laboratory services revenue are recognized when thoseservices have been completed or satisfied.

Research and Development Costs

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Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the assets'expected useful lives or the term of the lease, for assets under capital leases.

Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, deposits in banks withmaturities of three months or less, and all highly liquid investments which areunrestricted as to withdrawal or use, and which have original maturities ofthree months or less.

We allocate the proceeds received from equity financing and the attached optionsand warrants issued, based on their relative fair values, at the time ofissuance. The amount allocated to the options and warrants is recorded asadditional paid in capital.

Selling, General and Administrative

Our opinion is that inflation has not had, and is not expected to have, amaterial effect on our operations.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

In 2021, we continued to finance our operational cash needs with cash generatedfrom financing activities.

Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)

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Net cash provided by investing activities was $0 for the year ended December 31,2021.

Existing Capital Resources and Future Capital Requirements

As of December 31, 2021, we had $8,016,314 in outstanding debt, net of debtdiscount of $273,216.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Refer to Note 1. Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies inthe notes to our financial statements for a discussion of recent accountingpronouncements.

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U.S. STEM CELL, INC. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (form 10-K) - Marketscreener.com

Cardiac Stem Cells Comments Off on U.S. STEM CELL, INC. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (form 10-K) – Marketscreener.com | April 3rd, 2022

According to The Insight Partners new research study on Epithelial Cell Culture Media Market Forecast to 2027 COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis by Product Type and End User, the market is expected to reach US$ 303,040.33 thousand by 2028 from US$ 128,155.95 thousand in 2020; it is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 11.4% from 2021 to 2028.

Certain age-related diseases, abnormalities, and trauma damage the tissues and organs. Regenerative medicines have the potential to replace or heal tissues and organs, along with normalizing congenital defects. In the last decade of the century, tissue engineering techniques have emerged impressively, and they are now being employed in broader areas of regenerative medicine. Thus, it has now become possible to use these techniques in the development of clinical therapies for the maintenance, repair, replacement, and enhancement of biological functions. Further, the regenerative medicines developed using cell-based models can potentially assist researchers in the early intervention of degenerative diseases and traumatic injuries.

Download sample PDF Copy of Epithelial Cell Culture Media Market study at: https://www.theinsightpartners.com/sample/TIPRE00022539/

PromoCell GmbH; Merck KGaA; ATCC; AXOL Bioscience Ltd.; Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.; Bio-Techne Corporation; Celprogen, Inc.; Lonza Group AG; HiMedia Laboratories; and Cell Biologics, Inc. are among the leading companies operating in the epithelial cell culture media market.

Geographically, the epithelial cell culture media market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific (APAC), the Middle East and Africa (MEA), and South and Central America (SCAM). North America held the largest market share in 2020. In 2020, the US held the largest share of the market in North America. The market growth in North America is attributed to the key driving factors such as the presence of various market players and increasing demand for cell culture products from biopharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.

Human amniotic epithelial cells (hAECs) from placental tissues have gained substantial attention in the field of regenerative medicine owing to their proliferative capacity, easy access, multilineage differentiation potential, and safety. These are perinatal stem cells that have embryonic stem cell-like properties and the capability to be induced to differentiate. Thus, a growing focus on bringing advancements in regenerative medicine is likely to boost the adoption of epithelial cell cultures, thereby bolstering the demand for the respective culture.

Inquiry Before Buying on epithelial cell culture media market at: https://www.theinsightpartners.com/inquiry/TIPRE00022539/

Below is the list of the growth strategies done by the players operating in the epithelial cell culture media market:

In May-21 Bio-Techne has released MimEX GI, a new product line for generating 3-dimensional (3-D) gastrointestinal tissue on a 2-D surface.

In Sep-2020 Axol Bioscience and Censo Biotechnologies Announce Merger. The newentitywould become a global leader in the iPSC-based neuroscience, immune cell, and cardiac simulation industries for drug development and screening.

The report segments the epithelial cell culture media market as follows:

By Product Type

Human Mammary Epithelial CellsBronchia/Trachea Epithelial CellsRenal Epithelial CellsOthers

By End User

Biopharmaceutical CompaniesAcademic and Research Laboratories

Interested in Purchasing epithelial cell culture media market Report? Click here @ https://www.theinsightpartners.com/buy/TIPRE00022539/

About Us:

The Insight Partners is a one stop industry research provider of actionable intelligence. We help our clients in getting solutions to their research requirements through our syndicated and consulting research services. We are a specialist in Technology, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Automotive and Defense, Food & beverage, Chemical and Materials, Semiconductors etc.

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Epithelial Cell Culture Media Market to exceed USD 303040.33 thousand by 2028 says, The Insight Partners - Digital Journal

Cardiac Stem Cells Comments Off on Epithelial Cell Culture Media Market to exceed USD 303040.33 thousand by 2028 says, The Insight Partners – Digital Journal | April 3rd, 2022

Few of us know what they are or exactly how they work. But many of us have heard about the healing powers of stem cells, as well as the controversy surrounding them. Stem cells are well-debated and highly complex with promises ranging from fixing damaged knees to regenerating receding hairlines.

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services.Policy

But what are stem cells? And, whats all the fuss all about?

Director of the Center for Regenerative Medicine and Surgery, Amy Lightner, MD, shares the differences between stem cell types, how stem cells can be used and when to be cautious of claims that might be too good to be true.

When most of us think of stem cells, we probably recall images of Dolly the cloned sheep. While its true that Dolly was born of stem cells, her place in science history is just one of many advancements in the field.

In fact, there are many different types of stem cells, each of which has different responsibilities and abilities. What unifies them is their ability to regenerate into new cells.

Regenerative medicine is an emerging field that uses innovative treatments to help regenerate or heal cell function thats lost due to aging, disease or injury, Dr. Lightner explains. The way we achieve this is by using stem cells in large quantities, targeted to a certain area, that the body uses to promote healing.

Adult stem cells are the only type of stem cells that are currently approved for medical use in the United States by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The term adult stem cells is a little confusing because theyre actually found in infants, children and adults. These cells live in a variety of tissue in our bodies including bone marrow, muscles, your brain, your intestines and more.

Think of adult stem cells as a little army of cells that can regenerate themselves into new cells to maintain and repair the tissue or muscle where theyre found. The catch with adult stem cells is that they cant become different types of cells (for example, blood stem cells can only become new blood cells, not skin or brain cells).

Unlike adult stem cells, embryonic stem cells have many more possibilities. Harvested during an embryos blastocyst stage (about five or six days after an embryo has been fertilized in a lab), embryonic stem cells have the potential to become any type of cell (called pluripotent cells). For these reasons, embryonic stem cells are the type of stem cells that generate the controversy most people associate with the topic.

Stem cell therapy has been around since the 1970s, when the first adult bone marrow cells were used to treat blood disease. A bone marrow transplant allows a recipient whose bone marrow cells have been damaged by chemotherapy or disease to receive healthy bone marrow stem cells from a donor.

Those stem cells have the potential to mature within the blood system into different immune cells that recognize and fight off different types of blood cancer. And they also have the ability to heal, says Betty Hamilton, MD, Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology.

Bone marrow transplants are currently used to treat diseases including:

While you may have heard about the use of stem cell therapy for knees, back pain, arthritis, hair loss, diabetes and more, no other types of stem cell therapy beyond bone marrow transplants have yet been approved by the FDA. But thousands of clinical trials are available ranging from treatments for Crohns disease to multiple sclerosis and more. The common link between all these trials is the ability of the stem cells to reduce inflammation and repair damage to your body.

Dr. Hamilton and Dr. Lightner agree that were only just beginning to scratch the surface of stem cell therapy. In recent years, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, many clinical trials were underway to explore whether stem cells could be used to help treat the damaged lungs in people severely affected by the disease.

I think potential is the perfect word to describe stem cells, says Dr. Hamilton. We know they have these anti-inflammatory and regenerative properties where they can provide a significant improvement to someone suffering from a certain disease. There are so many diseases where inflammation happens, and something needs to be repaired, and so any help the immune system can get provides a lot of potential.

Scientists are also researching whether adult stem cells can turn into pluripotent stem cells, which would allow the cells to change into any cell type without involving the use of embryonic stem cells.

While the potential for stem cell therapy is great, doctors caution that were not quite there yet.

I always tell patients that ask about stem cell therapy clinics or traveling overseas for stem cell therapy treatment that if its not something that is a clinical trial with FDA oversight, then they have no real way of knowing whats being given to them, advises Dr. Lightner.

This means more harm can come than good if you dont know exactly whats being given to you. Or, in some cases, youre just spending thousands of dollars for what ends up being saline, Dr. Lightner says.

The best way to know that youre receiving sound medical treatment is to make sure the one youre considering is approved by the FDA on its Clinical Trials database.

Dr. Lightner cautions against treatments that sound too good to be true. While stem cell therapy has helped improve and save millions of lives, its best to know what exactly youre signing up for by seeking out a qualified medical provider offering an FDA-approved clinical trial.

Follow this link:
Is Stem Cell Therapy Right for You? - Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on Is Stem Cell Therapy Right for You? – Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic | April 3rd, 2022

This spring, streamlineand save time and moneywith these seasonal tips and tricks

USE THE CODE 'SPRINGSKIN' FOR 10% OFF ATSCENTUALS.COM, ONLY UNTIL JUNE 21, 2022

The weather is getting warmer, the days a little longer, and flowers are starting to bloom. As the seasons change, so should our skin care routines. Vancouver-based Scentuals is celebrating the start of spring with seven easy ways to make the change.

Good skin starts from the inside out. Drink enough water, exercise regularly, eat healthy balanced meals, take your vitamins, and prioritize quality sleep.

Your skin care products have expiry dates too. Using products past their shelf life makes them less effectiveor entirely ineffectiveand can cause skin irritation.

ScentualsRefresh and gently balance your skin with an alcohol-free mist. Better yet, try one that smells like roses. Made with floral waters, witch hazel and hyaluronic acid, Scentuals Rose Facial Mist helps soothe and refine your skin.

Say goodbye to dull winter skin and hello to renewed healthy radiance. The Scentuals Radiance Facial Scrub gently exfoliates with ground apricot seeds, while cucumber extract calms skin irritation and reduces redness.

ScentualsSwap out thick cleansers and creams for lighter, fast-absorbing options. The Radiance Facial Cleanser and Cream by Scentuals have you covered.

ScentualsBrightening vitamin C leaves your skin with a healthy glow and promotes collagen production. Try the award-winning Scentuals Vitamin C Serum, effectively formulated with vitamin C, hyaluronic acid and plant stem cells.

Defend your skin against harmful UV rays by wearing sunscreen daily. Additional benefits to daily SPF include preventing sunburns, skin cancer and premature aging.

CREATED BY VANCOUVER MAGAZINE, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SCENTUALS

Read more here:
7 Easy Ways to Transition Your Skin Care Routine for Spring - Vancouver Magazine

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on 7 Easy Ways to Transition Your Skin Care Routine for Spring – Vancouver Magazine | April 3rd, 2022

Cell and gene therapies are poised to have a major impact on the landscape of modern medicine, carrying the potential to treat an array of different diseases with unmet clinical need.

However, the number of approved, clinically adopted cell and gene therapies is mere compared to the amount that are currently in development. A major barrier for the translation of such therapies is the safe integration of therapeutic genes into the human genome. The insertion of therapeutic genes bears the risk of off target effects, or integration of the gene into an unintended location.

A number of different strategies have been proposed to mitigate this effect. The most recent body of work comes from a collaboration between Harvards Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard Medical School (HMS) and the ETH Zurich in Switzerland.

Published in Cell Report Methods, the research focused on identifying safe spots in the genome. These locations, known as genomic safe harbors (GSHs), are areas in the genome that meet the following criteria: they can be accessed easily by genome-editing strategies, are within a safe distance from genes that possess functional properties and permit expression of a therapeutic gene, only once it has landed in the harbor. A simple analogy is deciding which harbor to dock a boat there are many considerations, and these depend on the type of boat you are sailing, the weather conditions and ease of access.

The research team adopted computational strategies that enabled the identification of 2,000 predicted GSHs. From this initial identification, they successfully validated two of the sites both in vitro and in vivo using reporter proteins.

Technology Networks interviewed the studys first author, Dr. Erik Aznauryan, research fellow in the laboratory of Professor George Church at Harvard Medical School. Aznauryan dives into further detail on the history of GSH research, the methods adopted to validate the GSH sites and the potential applications of this research.

Molly Campbell (MC): Can you talk about the history of genomic safe harbor research, and how they were discovered?

Erik Aznauryan (EA): Three genomic sites were empirically identified in previous studies to support stable expression of genes of interest in human cells: AAVS1, CCR5 and hRosa26. All these examples were established without any a-priori safety assessment of the genomic loci they reside in.

Attempts have been made to identify human GSH sites that would satisfy various safety criteria, thus avoiding the disadvantages of existing sites. One approach developed by Sadelain and colleagues used lentiviral transduction of beta-globin and green fluorescence protein genes into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), followed by the assessment of the integration sites in terms of their linear distance from various coding and regulatory elements in the genome, such as cancer genes, miRNAs and ultraconserved regions.

They discovered one lentiviral integration site that satisfied all of the proposed criteria, demonstrating sustainable expression upon erythroid differentiation of iPSCs. However, global transcriptome profile alterations of cells with transgenes integrated into this site were not assessed. A similar approach by Weiss and colleagues used lentiviral integrations in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells to identify sites supporting long-term protein expression for biotechnological applications (e.g., recombinant monoclonal antibody production). Although this study led to the evaluation of multiple sites for durable, high-level transgene expression in CHO cells, no extrapolation to human genomic sites was carried out.

Another study aimed at identifying GSHs through bioinformatic search of mCreI sites regions targeted by monomerized version of I-CreI homing endonuclease found and characterized in green algae as capable to make targeted staggered double-strand DNA breaks residing in loci that satisfy GSH criteria. Like previous work, several stably expressing sites were identified and proposed for synthetic biology applications in humans. However, local and global gene expression profiling following integration events in these sites have not been conducted.

All these potential GSH sites possess a shared limitation of being narrowed by lentiviral- or mCreI-based integration mechanisms. Additionally, safety assessments of some of these identified sites, as well as previously established AAVS1, CCR5 and Rosa26, were carried out by evaluating the differential gene expression of genes located solely in the vicinity of these integration sites, without observing global transcriptomic changes following integration.

A more comprehensive bioinformatic-guided and genome-wide search of GSH sites based on established criteria, followed by experimental assessment of transgene expression durability in various cell types and safety assessment using global transcriptome profiling would, thus, lead to the identification of a more reliable and clinically useful genomic region.

MC: If GSHs do not encode proteins, or RNAs with functions in gene expression, or other cellular processes what is their function in the genome?

EA: In addition to protein coding, functional RNA coding, regulatory and structural regions of the human genome, other less well understood and inactive DNA regions exist.

A large proportion of the human genome seems to have evolved in the presence of a variety of integrating viruses which, as they inserted their DNA into the eukaryotic genome over the course of million years, lead to an establishment of vast non-coding elements that we continue to carry to this day. Furthermore, partial duplications of functional human genes have resulted in the formation of inactive pseudogenes, which occupy space in the genome yet are not known to bear cellular functions.

Finally, functional roles of some non-coding portions of the human genome are not well understood yet. Our search of safe harbors was conducted using existing annotation of the human genome, and as more components of it are deciphered the identification of genomic regions safe for gene insertion will become more informed.

MC: Are you able to discuss why some regions of the genome were previously regarded as GSHs but are now recognized as non-GSHs?

EA: In the absence of other alternatives, AAVS1, CCR5 and hRosa26 sites were historically called GSHs, as they supported the expression of genes of interest in a variety of cell types and were suitable for use in a research setting.

Their caveats (mainly, location within introns of functional genes, closely surrounded by other known protein coding genes as well as oncogenes) however prevent them from being used for clinical applications. Therefore, in our paper we dont call them GSHs, and refer to our newly discovered sites as GSHs.

MC: You thoroughly scanned the genome to identify candidate loci for further study as potential GSHs. Can you discuss some of the technological methods you adopted here, and why?

EA: We used several publicly available databases to identify genomic coordinates of structural, regulatory and coding components of the human genome according to the GSH criteria we outlined in the beginning of our study (outside genes, oncogenes, lncRNAs etc.,). We used these coordinates and bioinformatic tools such as command lines bedtools to exclude these genomic elements as well as areas adjacent to them. This left us with genomic regions putative GSHs from which we could then experimentally validate by inserting reporter and therapeutic genes into them followed by transcriptomic analysis of GSH-integrated vs non-integrated cells.

MC: You narrowed down your search to test five, and then two GSHs. Can you expand on your choice of reporter gene when assessing two GSHs in cell lines?

EA: Oftentimes in research you go with what is available or what is of the most interest to the lab you are currently working in.

Our case was not an exception, and we initially (up until the T cell work) used the mRuby reporter gene as it was widely available and extensively utilized and validated in our lab at ETH Zurich back then.

When I moved to the Wyss Institute at Harvard, I began collaborating with Dr. Denitsa Milanova, who was interested in testing these sites in the context of skin gene therapy particularly the treatment of junctional epidermolysis bullosa caused by mutations in various anchor proteins connecting different layers of skin, among which is the LAMB3 gene. For this reason, we decided to express this gene in human dermal fibroblasts, together with green fluorescent protein to have a visualizable confirmation of expression. We hope we would be able to translate this study into clinics.

MC: Can you describe examples of how GSHs can be utilized in potential therapeutics?

EA: Current cell therapy approaches rely on random insertion of genes of interest into the human genome. This can be associated with potential side effects including cancerous transformation of therapeutic cells as well as eventual silencing of the inserted gene.

We hope that current cell therapies will eventually transition to therapeutic gene insertions precisely into our GSHs, which will alleviate both described concerns. Specific areas of implementation may involve safer engineering of T cells for cancer treatment: insertion of genes encoding receptors targeting tumor cells or cytokines capable of enhancing anti-tumor response.

Additionally, these sites can be used for the engineering of skin cells for therapeutic (as discussed earlier with the LAMB3 example) as well as anti-aging applications, such as expression of genes that result in youthful skin phenotype.

Finally, given the robustness of gene expression from our identified sites, they can be used for industry-scale bio-manufacturing: high-yield production of proteins of interest in human cell lines for subsequent extraction and therapeutic applications (e.g., production of clotting factors for patients with hemophilias).

MC: Are there any limitations to the research at this stage?

EA: A primary limitation to this study is the low frequency of genomic integration events using CRISPR-based knock-in tools. This means that cells in which the gene of interest successfully integrated into the GSH must be pulled out of the vastly larger population of cells without this integration.

These isolated cells would then be expanded to generate homogenous population of gene-bearing cells. Such pipeline is not ideal for a clinical setting and improvements in gene integration efficiencies are needed to help this technology easier translate into clinics.

Our lab is currently working on developing genome engineering tools which would eventually allow to integrate large genes into GSHs with high precision and efficiency.

MC: What impact might this study have on the cell and gene therapy development space?

EA: This study will hopefully lead to many researchers in the field testing our sites, validating them in other therapeutically relevant cell types and eventually using them in research as well as in clinics as more reliable, durable and safe alternatives to current viral based random gene insertion methods.

Additionally, since in our work we shared all putative GSHs identified by our computational pipeline, we hope researchers will attempt to test sites we havent validated yet by implementing the GSH evaluation pipeline that we outlined in the paper. This will lead to identification of more GSHs with perhaps even better properties for clinical translation or bio-manufacturing.

MC: What are your next steps in advancing this work?

We hope to one day translate our successful in vitro skin results and start using these GSHs in an in vivo context.

Additionally, we are looking forward to improving integration efficiencies into our GSHs, which would further support clinical transition of our sites.

Finally, we will evaluate the usability of our GSHs for large-scale production of therapeutically relevant proteins, thus ameliorating the pipeline of manufacturing of biologics.

Dr. Erik Aznauryan was speaking to Molly Campbell, Senior Science Writer for Technology Networks.

Link:
Sailing the Genome in Search of Safe Harbors - Technology Networks

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on Sailing the Genome in Search of Safe Harbors – Technology Networks | April 3rd, 2022

image:zebrafish notochord nuclei at 15-somite stage. Grey: nuclear DNA (DAPI). Color: histone H3K9me3 view more

Credit: Phong Nguyen, Franka Rang & Kim de Luca. Copryight Hubrecht Institute.

How is the activity of genes regulated by the packaging of DNA? To answer this question, a technique to measure both gene expression and DNA packaging at the same time was developed by Franka Rang and Kim de Luca, researchers from the group of Jop Kind (group leader at the Hubrecht Institute and Oncode Investigator). This method, EpiDamID, determines the location of modified proteins around which the DNA is wrapped. It is important to gather information about these modifications, because they influence the accessibility of DNA, thereby affecting the gene activity. EpiDamID is therefore valuable for research into the early development of organisms. The results of the study are published in Molecular Cell on April 1st 2022.

In order to fit DNA into the nucleus of a cell, it is tightly packed around nuclear proteins: histones. Depending on the tightness of this winding, the DNA can be (in)accessible to other proteins. This therefore determines whether the process of gene expression, translation of DNA into RNA and eventually into proteins, can take place.

DNA packaging determine gene activity

The tightness of DNA winding around histones is regulated by the addition of molecular groups, so-called post-translational modifications (PTMs), to the histones. For example, if certain molecules are added to the histones, the DNA winding is loosened. This makes the DNA more accessible for certain proteins and causes the genes in this part of the DNA to become active, or expressed. Furthermore, proteins that are crucial for gene expression can directly recognize and bind the PTMs. This enables transcription: the process of DNA copying.

The regulation of gene expression, for instance through PTMs, is also known as epigenetic regulation. Since all cells in a body have the same DNA, regulation of gene expression is needed to (de)activate specific functions in individual cells. For instance, heart muscle cells have different functions than skin cells, thus require different genes to be expressed.

Analysis of single cells using EpiDamID

To understand how PTMs affect gene expression, first authors Franka Rang and Kim de Luca designed a new method to determine the location of the modifications. Using this approach, called EpiDamID, researchers can analyze single cells, whereas previous methods were only able to measure a large group of cells. Analysis on such a small scale results in knowledge on how DNA winding differs per cell, rather than information on the average DNA winding of many cells.

EpiDamID is based on DamID, a technique which is used to determine the binding location of certain DNA-binding proteins. Using EpiDamID, the binding location of specific PTMs on histone proteins can be detected in single cells. Compared to others, a great advantage of this technique is that researchers need very limited material. Furthermore, EpiDamID can be used in combination with other methods, such as microscopy, to study regulation of gene expression on different levels.

Future prospects

Following the development of this technique, the Kind group will focus on the role of PTMs from the point of view of developmental biology. Because single cells are analyzed using EpiDamID, only a limited amount of material is needed to generate enough data. This allows researchers to study the early development of organisms from its first cell divisions, when the embryo consists of only a few cells.

###

Publication

Rang, F. J.*, de Luca, K. L.*, de Vries, S. S., Valdes-Quezada, C., Boele, E., Nguyen, P. D., Guerreiro, I., Sato, Y., Kimura, H., Bakkers, J. & Kind, J. Single-cell profiling of transcriptome and histone modifications with EpiDamID. Molecular Cell, 2022.

*Authors contributed equally

Jop Kind is group leader at the Hubrecht Institute for Developmental Biology and Stem Cell Research and Oncode Investigator.

About the Hubrecht Institute

The Hubrecht Institute is a research institute focused on developmental and stem cell biology. It encompasses 21 research groups that perform fundamental and multidisciplinary research, both in healthy systems and disease models. The Hubrecht Institute is a research institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), situated on Utrecht Science Park. Since 2008, the institute is affiliated with the UMC Utrecht, advancing the translation of research to the clinic. The Hubrecht Institute has a partnership with the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL). For more information, visit http://www.hubrecht.eu.

Experimental study

Cells

Single-cell profiling of transcriptome and histone modifications with EpiDamID

1-Apr-2022

Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.

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Learning from the single cell: A new technique to unravel gene regulation - EurekAlert

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on Learning from the single cell: A new technique to unravel gene regulation – EurekAlert | April 3rd, 2022

Humectants are substances that attract water. In personal care products, they help hydrate the skin, hair, or nails. Hyaluronic acid and glycerin are examples of humectants.

The benefits of humectants depend on the ingredient. In general, however, the effects include relief of dry skin, reduction of thickened skin, and strengthening of the skin barrier.

Humectants are different from emollients and occlusives. These ingredients are also in many personal care products for dry skin. However, they work by forming a barrier over the skin, trapping moisture inside rather than attracting it. Oils, butters, and waxes, such as lanolin, are examples.

This article discusses humectants and the products that contain them, as well as examples and benefits. It also outlines the difference between a humectant and an emollient and an occlusive.

Humectants are ingredients that attract and bind water. In skin care, they draw water from the deeper layers of the skin to the outermost layer. If air humidity is higher than 70%, they also draw water from the surrounding environment to the skin.

In hair care, humectants perform a similar function. They attract water to the hair shaft, helping keep it hydrated.

Examples of products that can contain humectants include:

Many ingredients act as humectants, including:

All humectants have slightly different properties. Below is some of the research on common humectants.

The outermost layer of the skin, the stratum corneum, has an important function of serving as a barrier. It slows the evaporation of water from the skin and helps protect against microbes.

A 2021 review notes that urea helps enhance the stratum corneum by increasing hydration and improving the skin barriers integrity. Because of this, it has a long history as a skin care ingredient.

Urea can help with many skin conditions, such as:

An older 2013 study evaluated the effects of once and twice daily applications of a humectant-rich moisturizer containing 15% AHAs and 15% urea. The study involved 62 participants. Of them, 12 had no skin conditions, and 50 had hyperkeratosis, or thickened skin, on the feet.

Among the participants with hyperkeratosis, the results indicated that the moisturizer:

The participants with no skin conditions experienced an improvement in skin barrier function.

As people age, they have a higher risk of developing dry skin. A 2019 review analyzed databases from 19902018 that dealt with skin conditions of people over the age of 50 years. It found that leave-on products containing lipophilic humectants decreased skin dryness and itching. A lipophilic humectant is one that manufacturers have dissolved in fats or lipids.

Additionally, a 2021 research article notes that the humectant lactic acid can relieve rough, dry skin at concentrations up to 12%.

Older research from 2012 states that hyaluronic acid helps speed up wound repair and reduces scar appearance. These benefits stem from the humectants actions of promoting new blood vessel formation and increasing fibroblasts, which are cells in connective tissue that produce collagen and other fibers.

Another popular group of ingredients for moisturizing the skin and hair are emollients and occlusives. These work by creating a barrier, often consisting of a plant oil or butter, over the skin or hair. Instead of attracting moisture, they trap it beneath this barrier, preventing it from evaporating.

In comparison to humectants, emollients and occlusives tend to be thicker, heavier ingredients.

A 2017 study notes that emollients consist mostly of lipids, such as natural oils and waxes. They increase skin:

Examples of emollients include:

Occlusives are mostly oil-based. They provide a layer on the skin surface that helps protect against water evaporation. This preservation of skin hydration helps prevent dry skin and eczema, reports research from 2018.

Examples of occlusives include:

Whether a person should use humectants, emollients, or both depends on their skin type.

Emollients and occlusives tend to be heavier ingredients. Some add more oil to the skin and hair, which can be helpful for those with dry skin. However, individuals with oily skin or hair may find this unhelpful.

Some emollients and occlusives are also comedogenic, which means they have the potential to block pores and cause acne.

Humectants, on the other hand, tend to be noncomedogenic and non-oily. They can add hydration without the use of heavier ingredients. Some also have other benefits. For example, AHAs are also exfoliants.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, a person with oily skin should choose skin care products that have oil-free and noncomedogenic on the label. People with hair that gets greasy quickly may prefer to look for hair products that do not contain much oil, if any.

In contrast, someone with dry skin or hair could benefit from products that contain humectants, emollients, and occlusives.

Learn about skin types and how to identify them here.

A humectant is a substance that draws water into the skin, hair, or nails. In the skin, this may come from the deeper layers, or from the air if it is humid enough. Humectants are useful for adding hydration without feeling heavy or oily.

Humectants include ingredients such as glycerin, urea, AHAs, and hyaluronic acid. People can find them in a wide range of personal care products.

Aside from humectants, personal care products often contain emollients and occlusives. While humectants provide hydration, emollients soften the skin, and occlusives help prevent water in the skin from evaporating.

People can consult a dermatologist to identify their skin type and find the best regimen for them.

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Humectant: Examples and benefits for skin, hair, and lips - Medical News Today

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on Humectant: Examples and benefits for skin, hair, and lips – Medical News Today | April 3rd, 2022

Transcript:

Nelson Chao, MD: Thank you for joining us at the Targeted Oncology Virtual Tumor Board, which is focused on practice updates in graft-versus-host disease [GVHD]. In todays presentation, my colleagues and I will review 3 clinical cases. We will discuss approaches to treating patients who are at risk or who develop graft-versus-host disease. We will share our perspectives on key clinical trial data that may impact our decisions. I am Dr Nelson Chao from Duke University [Durham, North Carolina]. Today, I am joined by Dr Corey Cutler from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute [Boston, Massachusetts] and Kerry [King] Minor from Duke University. Thank you for joining us.

I would like to start by giving a brief overview of the process for allogeneic transplant. We need to collect donor cells, which could be related or unrelated. The stem cells can be separated from the blood or given as a whole. There is a conditioning, or treatment of the recipient. Chemotherapy and/or radiation will kill the cancer and weaken the donor immune system. The cells are infused to the patient and then we wait for engraftment. Graft-versus-host disease is a leading cause of non-relapse mortality following allogeneic transplantation. In acute GVHD, the reaction of the donor immune cells against host tissues is the ideology of the disease. Three main tissues are affected: the skin, the liver, the gut. In chronic graft-versus-host disease, the syndrome is quite variable with features resembling autoimmune or other immunologic disorders. In chronic GVHD, you could have a single organ, or it might be widespread and have a significant impact on quality of life. The risk factors for acute and chronic are similar, although the greatest impact of chronic is having acute prior. With standard prophylaxis, 25% to 50% of patients receiving HLA [human leukocyte antigen]-matched transplant will develop acute GVHD. That may require high-dose systemic steroids, and up to 50% of patients will have inadequate response to steroid therapy, which is associated with poor prognosis.

So this is a sort of a classical slide down demonstrating the pathology where in number 1, the recipient, who received the conditioning regimen, ends up with tissue damage. Those tissues release inflammatory cytokines such as IL [interleukin]-1 and IL-6, and then there is damage to the small bowel, usually releasing LPS [lipopolysaccharides]. These go down through different pathways, one goes to host antigen-presenting cells, which will activate the donor cells that release IL-12, IFN [interferon-gamma]-, and IL-2. Both are within the small bowel because of the LPS, as well as the microbiota entry, and release of those pattern associated damage receptors. There is target cell apoptosis of the gut, which then amplifies the response from the cytotoxic lymphocytes and NK [natural killer] cells together with TNF [tumor necrosis factor]- and IL-1. So most commonly the GVHD prophylaxis includes calcineurin inhibitors; methotrexate; MMF [mycophenolate mofetil]; sirolimus [Rapamune]; T-cell antibody; Ex vivo T-cell depletion, such as CD34 selection; posttransplant cyclophosphamide; and then obviously the standard combination of tacrolimus and methotrexate. So Im going to stop here for a second and ask Dr Cutler to give us a sense of where these regimens fall within the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Corey Cutler, MD, MPH, FRCPC: Sure. Thanks for the introduction, Nelson. At our center, the predominant regimen that we use in the mild of greater setting is still the classic combination of tacrolimus and methotrexate. In the reduced intensity setting, we often add in the M200 meter cells. We are using the posttransplant cyclophosphamide regimen whenever we do haploidentical transplants. At the moment, there isnt compelling data that suggests a superior regimen to tackling the methotrexate. So most of us dont use it as a matter of routine outside of either the clinical trials or the haploidentical setting.

Nelson Chao, MD: And Ms. Minor, what do you think are the major toxicities that you see with these standard regimens?

Kerry King Minor, MSN, ANP-BC: Well, we always educate the patients that are going to be receiving the methotrexate about the risk of mucositis. Thats probably 1 of the biggest things that we see in patient education with that prophylaxis agent and tacrolimus. We prepare them and monitor very closely for side effects, such as headaches, effects on their blood pressure, effects on their kidneys and their knees. Thats basically it. With cyclophosphamide, typically patients tolerate that fairly well.

Transcript edited for clarity.

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An Overview on Graft-Versus-Host Disease and Prophylaxis - Targeted Oncology

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on An Overview on Graft-Versus-Host Disease and Prophylaxis – Targeted Oncology | April 3rd, 2022

April 1st, 2022

Company Name: Representative:

HEALIOS K.K.

Hardy TS Kagimoto, Chairman & CEO

(TSE Mothers Code: 4593)

Joint Research with the Division of Regenerative Medicine, the Institute of Medical Science for Developing a Mass Production Method of UDC Liver Buds

HEALIOS K.K. ("Healios") is currently developing a regenerative medicine treatment whereby liver organ buds created from iPS cells are injected into the liver and grown into functioning liver tissue, with the aim of improving or restoring the function of a damaged liver (development code: HLCL041). This treatment could potentially replace the need for an organ transplant for certain patients. Liver buds are created by co-culturing liver progenitor cells, which can differentiate into hepatocytes; MSCs, which have the ability to develop into various types of connective-tissues; and vascular endothelial cells, which form blood vessels. Healios has pursued research and generated data on functional assessments and quality standards for these component cells and the liver buds created from them, and it is also proceeding with the development of mass culturing and manufacturing methods.

In addition, as announced on October 20th, 2020, Healios established Universal Donor Cells ("UDCs")*, which are next-generation iPS cells created with gene-editing technology that have a reduced risk of immune rejection regardless of a patient's HLA type, and its proprietary clinical-grade UDC line. We are currently conducting research both internally and through joint collaborations with several institutions on new treatments for diseases for which there is no existing cure.

As part of these efforts, Healios is pleased to announce that it has entered into a joint research agreement with the Division of Regenerative Medicine (Prof. Hideki Taniguchi) of the Institute of Medical Science at the University of Tokyo, to advance HLCL041 utilizing UDCs. In this joint research, we plan to establish a new method for inducing differentiation of liver buds using UDCs and to develop a highly efficient and scalable cell culturing and mass manufacturing system.

For many diseases where the only effective treatment is an organ transplant, Healios believes that organ buds created from iPSCs, which have the potential to restore organ function, hold significant promise as an alternative to organ transplants and as a means to address the perennial shortage of organ donors.

This agreement does not have a material impact on our consolidated financial results for the current fiscal year. We will promptly make an announcement on any matter that requires disclosure in the future.

Outline of the Collaboration Partner

Name of the Collaborator: Division of Regenerative Medicine, The Institute of Medical Science Adress:4-6-1 Shirokanedai Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan

Representative: Professor Taniguchi Hideki

* UDCs

UDCs are iPS cells created using gene-editing technology that allows them to avoid and / or reduce the body's immune rejection response. The production of Healios' UDCs involve the removal of certain HLA genes that elicit a rejection response, the introduction of an immunosuppression gene to improve immune evasion, and the addition of a suicide gene serving as a safety mechanism, each in an allogeneic iPS cell. This next-generation technology platform allows for the creation of regenerative medicine products with enhanced safety and a lower risk of immune rejection, while preserving the inherent ability of iPS cells to replicate themselves continuously and their pluripotency in differentiating into various other kinds of cells.

About the Division of Regenerative Medicine, The Institute of Medical Science:

Regenerative medicine is a challenging scientific field that is going to convert the pioneering knowledge of developmental biology and stem cell biology to clinical application. For patients with end-stage organ failure, organ transplantation is the only effective treatment; however, the paucity of transplantable organs hinders the application of this treatment for most patients. Recently, regenerative medicine with transplantable organs has attracted attention. Our laboratory is developing a novel therapeutic strategy to substitute organ transplantation. We have established novel organoid culture technologies to reconstruct human organs from stem cells, including human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), and we are going to realize transplantation of human liver primordia (liver buds [LBs]) generated from iPSCs for the treatment of liver diseases. https://stemcell-imsut.org/laboratory/?id=en#labo1

About Healios:

Healios is Japan's leading clinical stage biotechnology company harnessing the potential of stem cells for regenerative medicine. It aims to offer new therapies for patients suffering from diseases without effective treatment options. Healios is a pioneer in the development of regenerative medicines in Japan, where it has established a proprietary, gene-edited "universal donor" induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) line to develop next generation regenerative treatments in immuno-oncology, ophthalmology, liver diseases, and other areas of severe unmet medical need. Healios' lead iPSC-derived cell therapy candidate, HLCN061, is a next generation NK cell treatment for solid tumors that has been functionally enhanced through gene-editing. Its near-term pipeline includes the somatic stem cell product HLCM051, which is currently being evaluated in Japan in Phase 2/3 and Phase 2 trials in ischemic stroke and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), respectively. Healios was established in 2011 and has been listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange since 2015 (TSE Mothers: 4593). https://www.healios.co.jp/en .

Contact:

Department of Corporate Communications, HEALIOS K.K.

E-mail:ir@healios.jp

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Healios K K : Joint Research with the Division of Regenerative Medicine, the Institute of Medical Science for Developing a Mass Production Method of...

IPS Cell Therapy Comments Off on Healios K K : Joint Research with the Division of Regenerative Medicine, the Institute of Medical Science for Developing a Mass Production Method of… | April 3rd, 2022

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., March 21, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Jasper Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: JSPR), a biotechnology company focused on hematopoietic cell transplant therapies, today announced changes to its management team, including the promotions of Jeet Mahal to the newly created position of Chief Operating Officer, and of Wendy Pang, M.D., Ph.D., to Senior Vice President of Research and Translational Medicine. Both promotions are effective as of March 21, 2022. Jasper also announced that a new position of Chief Medical Officer has been created, for which an active search is underway. Judith Shizuru, M.D. PhD, co-founder, and Scientific Advisory Board Chairwoman will lead clinical development activities on an interim basis and Kevin Heller, M.D., EVP of Research and Development, will be transitioning to a consultant role.

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Jasper Therapeutics Announces Management Changes to Strengthen Leadership Team

Global News Feed Comments Off on Jasper Therapeutics Announces Management Changes to Strengthen Leadership Team | March 22nd, 2022

BOSTON, March 21, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Praxis Precision Medicines, Inc. (NASDAQ: PRAX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company translating genetic insights into the development of therapies for central nervous system (CNS) disorders characterized by neuronal excitation-inhibition imbalance, today announced that management will participate in a fireside chat at Stifel’s 4th Annual CNS Day on Tuesday, March 29, 2022 at 11:30 a.m. ET.

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Praxis Precision Medicines to Present at Stifel’s 4th Annual CNS Day

Global News Feed Comments Off on Praxis Precision Medicines to Present at Stifel’s 4th Annual CNS Day | March 22nd, 2022

Four-way distribution partnership provides quality, consistent rasH2 supply to India and China, better serving global customers Four-way distribution partnership provides quality, consistent rasH2 supply to India and China, better serving global customers

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Taconic Biosciences Improves rasH2 Carcinogenicity Test System Access in Asia-Pacific Region

Global News Feed Comments Off on Taconic Biosciences Improves rasH2 Carcinogenicity Test System Access in Asia-Pacific Region | March 22nd, 2022

NANTES, France, March 21, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OSE Immunotherapeutics SA (ISIN: FR0012127173; Mnemo: OSE) today announces that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued a first notice of allowance for a patent application covering OSE-279, an anti-PD1 monoclonal antibody, and its use in cancer treatment. This patent will strengthen the global intellectual property of OSE-279 and will provide the product protection until 2039.

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OSE Immunotherapeutics Receives First Notice of Allowance for a US Patent Covering Anti-PD1 Monoclonal Antibody OSE-279 And its Use in Cancer...

Global News Feed Comments Off on OSE Immunotherapeutics Receives First Notice of Allowance for a US Patent Covering Anti-PD1 Monoclonal Antibody OSE-279 And its Use in Cancer… | March 22nd, 2022

NEW YORK, March 21, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- atai Life Sciences N.V. (Nasdaq: ATAI) (“atai”), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company aiming to transform the treatment of mental health disorders, will participate in the following upcoming investor conferences in March:

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atai Life Sciences to Participate in Upcoming March Investor Conferences

Global News Feed Comments Off on atai Life Sciences to Participate in Upcoming March Investor Conferences | March 22nd, 2022

Announces decision to discontinue development of ORIC-101

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ORIC Pharmaceuticals Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2021 Financial Results and Operational Update

Global News Feed Comments Off on ORIC Pharmaceuticals Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2021 Financial Results and Operational Update | March 22nd, 2022

Philip Perera, M.D., to retire while continuing to participate as an advisor to Longboard Philip Perera, M.D., to retire while continuing to participate as an advisor to Longboard

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Longboard Pharmaceuticals Announces the Appointment of Highly Accomplished Healthcare Executive Randall Kaye, M.D., as Chief Medical Officer

Global News Feed Comments Off on Longboard Pharmaceuticals Announces the Appointment of Highly Accomplished Healthcare Executive Randall Kaye, M.D., as Chief Medical Officer | March 22nd, 2022

MALVERN, Pa., March 21, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TELA Bio, Inc. ("TELA") (Nasdaq: TELA), a commercial-stage medical technology company focused on providing innovative soft-tissue reconstruction solutions that optimize clinical outcomes by prioritizing the preservation and restoration of the patient’s own anatomy, today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2021.

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TELA Bio Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2021 Financial Results

Global News Feed Comments Off on TELA Bio Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2021 Financial Results | March 22nd, 2022

SAN DIEGO, March 21, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Adamis Pharmaceuticals Corporation (Nasdaq: ADMP) is voluntarily recalling certain lots of SYMJEPI (epinephrine) Injection 0.15 mg (0.15 mg/0.3 mL) and 0.3 mg (0.3 mg/0.3 mL) Pre-Filled Single-Dose Syringes to the consumer level. The batches in the table below are being recalled due to the potential clogging of the needle preventing the dispensing of epinephrine. US WorldMeds (USWM) exclusively markets and distributes SYMJEPI in the United States, under license from Adamis, the NDA holder. USWM will handle the entire recall process for Adamis, with Adamis oversight. SYMJEPI is manufactured and tested for Adamis by Catalent Belgium S.A.

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Adamis Pharmaceuticals Corporation Issues Nationwide Voluntary Recall of SYMJEPI® (epinephrine) Injection for Potential Manufacturing Defect

Global News Feed Comments Off on Adamis Pharmaceuticals Corporation Issues Nationwide Voluntary Recall of SYMJEPI® (epinephrine) Injection for Potential Manufacturing Defect | March 22nd, 2022

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., March 21, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DICE Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: DICE), a biopharmaceutical company leveraging its proprietary technology platform to build a pipeline of novel oral therapeutic candidates to treat chronic diseases in immunology and other therapeutic areas, today reported financial results and business highlights for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2021.

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DICE Therapeutics Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2021 Financial Results and Recent Highlights

Global News Feed Comments Off on DICE Therapeutics Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2021 Financial Results and Recent Highlights | March 22nd, 2022

FOSTER CITY, Calif., March 21, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Terns” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: TERN), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a portfolio of small-molecule single-agent and combination therapy candidates to address serious diseases such as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and obesity, today reported top-line results from Part 1 of the Company’s Phase 1b AVIATION Trial of TERN-201, a vascular adhesion protein-1 (VAP-1) inhibitor in development for the treatment of patients with NASH.

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Terns Reports Top-line Results from Phase 1 AVIATION Trial of VAP-1 Inhibitor TERN-201

Global News Feed Comments Off on Terns Reports Top-line Results from Phase 1 AVIATION Trial of VAP-1 Inhibitor TERN-201 | March 22nd, 2022