Researchers decipher how the body controls stem cells Science Daily "In the lab, we have observed the same differentiation pattern in so-called iPS cells, or induced pluripotent stem cells, which can transform into many different types of cells." This knowledge can help the researchers to improve the effectiveness of ... and more »

Read the rest here:
Researchers decipher how the body controls stem cells - Science Daily

IPS Cell Therapy Comments Off on Researchers decipher how the body controls stem cells – Science Daily | March 15th, 2017

Heptares struck a $12 million deal to partner with Daiichi Sankyo on a new GPCR pain drug. The UK biotech gets $4 million upfront and $8 million in research support along with an unspecified set of milestones for the deal, in which the Sosei subsidiary will search for new drugs that can be developed for pain. Said CEO Malcolm Weir: We are confident that the unique structural insights of the receptor that our technologies can deliver combined with expertise on its role in pain from the Neurosciences team at Daiichi Sankyo will yield new, differentiated molecules that can be advanced into development.

Everybody loves a good takeover rumor. On Friday, it was Incytes turn again. The biotechs shares jumped Friday on buzz that Gilead was interested in acquiring the company, fast on the heels of an analysts report insisting that Gilead needed to do a deal, fast.

Belgiums TiGenix says that it gained some positive data in a Phase I/II cardiac stem cell study. Investigators say that a pre-specified subset of patients demonstrated a larger reduction in infarct size. This is the first trial in which it has been demonstrated that allogeneic cardiac stem cells can be transplanted safely through the coronary tree, and in the worst possible setting represented by patients with an acute heart attack with left ventricular dysfunction, commented Professor Fernndez-Avils, head of the Department of Cardiology at the Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Maran.

News reports for those who discover, develop, and market drugs. Join 13,500+ biopharma pros who read Endpoints News articles by email every day. Free subscription.

See original here:
Daiichi Sankyo forges $12M pact for GPCR pain program with Heptares; Incyte shares jump on latest takeover chatter - Endpoints News

Cardiac Stem Cells Comments Off on Daiichi Sankyo forges $12M pact for GPCR pain program with Heptares; Incyte shares jump on latest takeover chatter – Endpoints News | March 14th, 2017

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - March 13, 2017) -

NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

Editors Note: There is a photo associated with this press release.

Woodrose Ventures Corporation (TSX VENTURE:WRS.H) ("Woodrose" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement (the "Agreement") dated March 10, 2017 to acquire all of the shares of Novoheart Holdings Ltd. ("Novoheart"), a global stem cell biotechnology company dedicated to human heart engineering (the "Transaction"). Novoheart develops products and provides services focused on engineering prototypes of bio-artificial human heart tissues and chambers for drug discovery, cardiotoxicity screening, disease modelling and therapeutic applications.

The Transaction will constitute a "reverse-takeover" of Woodrose in accordance with the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") and the reactivation of Woodrose, which is currently a NEX-listed issuer.

About Novoheart

Novoheart is a global stem cell biotechnology company headquartered in Hong Kong with R&D Innovation Centres being set up in the United States. Novoheart's mission is to revolutionize drug discovery and the development of heart therapeutics with its range of proprietary bioengineered human heart constructs, collectively known as the MyHeart platform, and to further develop them into transplantable heart grafts for cell-based regenerative therapies with superior safety and efficacy. Its scientific team has pioneered a range of best-in-class bioengineering technologies and constructed the world's first human mini-heart "novoHeart" with which the Novoheart team intends to revolutionize:

1) Pre-clinical drug discovery, cardiotoxicity screening and heart disease modelling;

2) Post-discovery, clinical development of novel therapeutics; and

3) Pre-clinical and clinical development of cell-based cardiac regenerative therapies.

Novoheart's immediate focus is to innovate and accelerate the lengthy, expensive and inefficient drug development process. The development of a new drug candidate typically costs US$2-4bn and takes 10+ years (Tufts Centre for the Study of Drug Development, Tufts CSDD R&D Cost Study 2014) with extremely poor success rates of <1% of initial drug candidates making it to market (Willmann et al. 2008, Nature Reviews Drug Discovery 7, 591-607). The primary cause for drug withdrawal and attrition is heart toxicity. Despite substantial pre-human R&D costs (~30% of the entire process), conventional non-human and non-cardiac cell and animal models are poorly predictive of human responses, leading to false negative and false positive pre-clinical results that compromise the overall successes (Chen et al. 2016, Nature Reviews Cardiology 13, 333-349).

Novoheart's intellectual property portfolio, including the human "heart-in-a-jar" (novoHeart) and other related next-generation technologies of the MyHeart platform (see figure below) are unique solutions that help bridge the gap between pre-clinical and clinical drug trials. The MyHeart platform provides advanced human heart surrogates for pre-screening of drug formulas and the elimination of toxic compounds early on in the drug development process, minimizing the risk towards patients. Significantly, the MyHeart Platform provides real time data on the effects of drug formulations enabling drug development companies to undertake "on-the-fly" reformulation of drug candidates to optimize efficacy and toxicological profiles. With Novoheart's technologies, we aim to significantly reduce pre-clinical R&D time and costs, and importantly, improve trial successes. It is anticipated that drug screening results using Novoheart's human engineered tissues would be accepted as reliable indicators for toxicity and efficacy, thereby qualifying the test compounds for accelerated drug development.

Novoheart adopts a hybrid business model by:

These products and services are designed to significantly reduce the time, cost, and use of animal models, as well as improve patient safety, and facilitate pharmaceutical discovery and development. Novoheart is currently working with leading academic and pharmaceutical partners to innovate drug discovery and toxicity screening protocols. Our targeted clients are pharmaceutical companies, government units, and research institutions.

Novoheart was incorporated in 2014 pursuant to the laws of British Virgin Islands (BVI) and its controlling shareholder is Medera Group Limited, a BVI entity. Novoheart has one wholly owned Hong Kong subsidiary "Novoheart Limited" ("Novoheart Hong Kong") which is the group operating entity.

Novoheart Hong Kong was incorporated in January 2014 by founder and CEO Prof. Ronald Li, with scientific co-founders Prof. Kevin Costa and Prof. Michelle Khine.

Novoheart's foundational technologies are the direct outcome of over 15 years of research effort supported by R&D investments amounting to approximately USD30MM. These research efforts, performed at Johns Hopkins University, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, University of California Irvine, University of California Davis, and the University of Hong Kong by our scientific founders, have received major recognitions such as American Heart Association's Best Study of 2005, Ground-breaking Study of 2006, and Late-breaking Studies of 2002, 2003, 2005 and 2007, and the Spirit of Hong Kong Innovating for Good Award in 2015. The "human-heart-in-a-jar" technology was selected by Google's Solve For X as a Moonshot Project in 2015.

Novoheart's scientific founders and advisors are renowned pioneering leaders in the stem cell and cardiac space, with a successful track record in developing and commercializing ground-breaking technologies. In September 2014, Novoheart established its R&D base and office in the Hong Kong Science Park, where it continues to innovate solutions for drug discovery and human heart tissue engineering.

In December 2014, Novoheart signed a strategic partnership with a major global pharmaceutical company (the "Global Pharma Partner") headquartered in New York City to validate the MyHeart platform. The success of this validation process has resulted in follow on income-generating projects.

In January 2015, Novoheart's R&D proposal to develop bio-artificial heart tissues for drug screening received 50/50 matched funding from the Innovation & Technology Commission (ITC) of the Government of Hong Kong, with a total project cost of over HK$21MM over 2 years. It was also the largest biotech project granted by ITC for that year. Novoheart owns all of the intellectual property generated from this project, and as a result of the R&D, Novoheart has applied or is in the application process for 3 new patents covering newly developed technology, including the human ventricular cardiac anisotropic sheet (hvCAS) as a powerful tool for detecting drug-induced arrhythmias with the results published in the prestigious international peer-reviewed bioengineering journal Advanced Materials (Shum et al. 2017, Advanced Materials, 29). Additionally, Novoheart holds exclusive worldwide licenses or options to acquire the same for technologies that constitute its MyHeart platform and future developments.

In December 2015, Novoheart signed a second contract with the Global Pharma Partner to build disease-specific engineered human heart tissues and chambers for drug discovery. The total project cost is US$726,000 over 1.5 years.

In February 2017, the Corporate Venture Fund (CVF) of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTPC) completed an equity investment of approximately US$250,000 into Novoheart and an additional investment would be made at the Transaction.

Novoheart Financial Information

The following table includes a summary of certain financial information of Novoheart and is derived from its financial statements for the years ended June 30, 2016 and June 30, 2015.

Summary of the Transaction

Under the terms of the Agreement, the shareholders of Novoheart will receive an aggregate of 66,086,600 common shares of Woodrose on a post-Consolidation basis (see below) ("Woodrose Post-Consolidation Shares"). In addition, a finder's fee of 2,313,038 Woodrose Post-Consolidation Shares will be paid to Cynosure Private Equity Limited in connection with the Transaction.

In connection with the Transaction, Woodrose intends to complete a consolidation of all its outstanding common shares on the basis of 3.56878449 old common shares for each one new common share (the "Consolidation"). In addition, Woodrose intends to complete a non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement") of 11,700,000 subscription receipts ("Subscription Receipts") at a price of CDN$0.50 per Subscription Receipt to raise gross proceeds of CDN$5,850,000, which will be held in escrow in accordance with the terms of a subscription receipt agreement (the "Subscription Receipt Agreement"). It is anticipated that the Subscription Receipt Agreement will provide that, upon completion of the Transaction, each Subscription Receipt will automatically convert into one Woodrose Post-Consolidation Share. The Subscription Receipt Agreement will also provide that, in the event the Transaction is terminated or does not complete within an agreed timeframe, the Subscription Receipts will be cancelled and the funds will be returned to the holders. Woodrose may pay cash fees in an amount not to exceed 7% of the gross proceeds (to a maximum of $364,000) to certain finders involved in the Private Placement and may issue finder's warrants ("Finder's Warrants"), in an amount not to exceed 7% of the number of Subscription Receipts issued (to a maximum of 728,000 Finders Warrants) each of which would entitle the holder to acquire one Woodrose Post-Consolidation Share at a price of CDN$0.50 for a period of two years following closing of the Private Placement. All securities issued pursuant to the Private Placement will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the offering to finance investment in drug discovery and screening, establish commercial partnerships, expand the current laboratory, hire additional research and development team members and for working capital and general corporate purposes.

Upon completion of the Transaction, it is anticipated that the Company will be classified as a Tier 2 Technology Issuer on the TSXV and will change its name to "Novoheart Holdings (BC) Limited" or such other name as is acceptable to the Board of Directors. Closing of the Transaction ("Closing") is subject to conditions precedent, that include, but are not limited to, the following:

The Transaction is an "arm's length" transaction (as defined by the policies of the TSXV). Woodrose intends to rely an exemption from the sponsorship requirements of the policies of the TSXV.

Proposed Management Team

Upon closing of the Transaction, the following directors and senior officers are anticipated to be appointed in replacement of Woodrose's current board and management:

Prof. Ronald Li, B.Sc. (Hons), Ph.D. (Proposed President, Chief Executive Officer and Director)

Prof. Ronald Li is a co-founder of Novoheart, and has been serving as the CEO since 2016. He is concurrently Director of Ming-Wai Lau Centre for Reparative Medicine, HK node, Karolinska Institutet (KI), Sweden, with a professorial cross appointment at the Dr. Li Dak-Sum Research Centre, The University of Hong Kong (HKU)-KI Collaboration in Regenerative Medicine of HKU. Prof. Li has been an advocate of stem cell technology for many years, starting from his career as Assistant Professor of Cardiology, and Cellular and Molecular Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University (JHU) School of Medicine. He founded and led the Human Embryonic Stem Cell Consortium when he was recruited in 2005 to become a tenured Associate Professor at the University of California, Davis, in light of state's USD3-billion stem cell initiative Proposition 71. Prof. Li was the Founding Director of the Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine Consortium (SCRMC) at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) from 2010 to 2015. He also co-directed the Section of Cardiovascular Cell & Tissue Engineering in Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai with Prof. Kevin Costa. Prof. Li has received multiple accolades and recognitions during his career, including the Spirit of Hong Kong Innovating for Good Award by the South China Morning Post (2015), the Top Young Faculty Award (2002, 2004), the Top Prize for the Young Investigator Basic Research (2001) and Top Postdoctoral Fellow Helen Taussig Award (2001) of JHU School of Medicine, Young Investigator Award 1st Prize from the Heart Rhythm Society (2002), and the Career Development Award from the Cardiac Arrhythmias Research & Education Foundation (2001).

Prof. Li graduated with his B.S. with honors in Biotechnology from University of Waterloo, Ontario, on Dean's List and his Ph.D. in Cardiology/Physiology at the University of Toronto.

Dr. Camie Chan, B.Sc. (Hons), M.Sc., Ph.D. (Proposed Chief Operating Officer and Director)

Dr. Camie Chan joined Novoheart Hong Kong as the Chief Operating Officer in 2016, after having served at HKU as the Deputy Director of the Faculty of Medicine Core Facility, a founding member of the Management Committee of the Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine Consortium (SCRMC), and Assistant Professor in the Department of Anatomy, between 2010 and 2016. She has had extensive experience managing laboratory operations in her capacity at HKU, and her prior career as Assistant Professor at the University of California, Davis, and Assistant Investigator at the Shriners Hospital for Children. Dr. Chan is also a co-inventor of technology allowing mass production of human ventricular heart cells from pluripotent stem cells.

Dr. Chan graduated with her B.Sc. with honors at the University of Waterloo, followed by obtaining her M.Sc. degree in Medical Sciences and Ph.D. degree in Immunology at the University of Toronto, Canada. She then received postdoctoral training at the Sydney Kimmel Cancer Research Center at the Johns Hopkins University. She has garnered numerous awards in her career, including the prestigious National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Developmental Research Grant Award.

Prof. Kevin Costa, B.S., Ph.D. (Proposed Chief Scientific Officer)

Prof. Costa is Director of the Section of Cardiovascular Cell and Tissue Engineering at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City. Prof. Costa was previously trained at the Johns Hopkins University and on the faculty as Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Columbia University. As a "blue-blood" biomedical engineering (BME) expert (B.S. and M.S. in BME from Boston University, Ph.D. in BME from UC San Diego, and postdoc in BME from JHU and University of Washington) in cell and tissue biomechanics and cardiac tissue engineering, he has developed one of the first engineered cardiac tissue systems. Since 2009, he has been working with Prof. Ronald Li to translate such systems into human cells. Prof. Costa has received research funding from the Whitaker Foundation, the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH; NHLBI, NIBIB, and NIGMS). He was also a recipient of the prestigious Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award from the NSF. Prof. Costa is an inventor of several cardiac tissue engineering technologies and one of the scientific co-founders of Novoheart Hong Kong.

Ms. Iris Lo, B. Comm. (Hons), CPA, CA (Proposed Chief Financial Officer)

Ms. Lo is a seasoned professional with expertise in corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, accounting, and finance. Prior to joining Novoheart, Ms. Lo was the Director of Corporate Development & Analysis at Cardiome Pharma Corp., a Canadian public company dually listed on the TSX and NASDAQ (TSX: COM, NASDAQ: CRME). At Cardiome, she held responsibilities in equity and debt financing, corporate mergers and acquisitions, product licensing and distributions, financial planning and analysis, as well as regulatory and risk management. During her tenure at Cardiome, Ms. Lo participated in transactions totaling over US$240 million as Cardiome grew from a company with a market capitalization of US$25 million to over US$150 million at its peak. She brings with her valuable experience from the life sciences and pharmaceutical sector, as well as expertise in dealing with the complexities of operating and financing public corporations. Ms. Lo was also previously a Manager in the Transaction Services team at PwC Hong Kong and began her career articling with KPMG Vancouver. She is a Chartered Professional Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from the Sauder School of Business at the University of British Columbia.

Mr. Victor Chang (Proposed Director)

Mr. Chang is a seasoned investor who has lately become focused on start-ups. Mr. Chang started his career with Lippo Securities Limited in 1996 and became a Director of Grand International Holdings Limited in 1999, which was engaged in general investments. During the period from 2007 to 2009, he was a Director and Responsible Officer for Astrum Capital Management Limited carrying out regulated activities under the Securities and Futures Ordinance ("SFO", Cap. 571, Laws of Hong Kong) and with Murtsa Capital Partners Limited as well. During the period from 2007 to 2012, he was also a compliance consultant for Astrum Capital Management Limited. As co-founder and Managing Director of Zebra Strategic Outsource Solution, he has over 16 years of experience in recruitment process outsourcing, executive search as well as and private investment management. In Apil 2013, he successfully brought Zebra Strategic Holdings Limited which offers holistic HR solutions to IPO on the HK GEM board (Stock Code: 8260) and was re-designated as and is currently a Non-Executive Director with the company. He is currently a Director and Responsible Officer of Dakin Financial Group, a corporation licensed to carry out type 1, 2 & 9 regulated activity under the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Ordinance.

Mr. Tong Ricky Chiu (Proposed Director)

As a key founder and visionary for Grand Power Logistics Group Inc., which was listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (GPW.V) before its privatization in 2016, and Baoshinn International Express Ltd., Mr. Chiu adds value with his immense corporate development and growth skills. He received his education in Oxford University, England, and Beijing University, and began his career in Australia. He has a diversified background in a wide range of industries with roles in finance, audit, real estate, merchandise trading and travel, as well as logistics.

Mr. James Topham (Proposed Director)

Mr. Topham is an experienced executive with expertise in finance, accounting, auditing and entrepreneurial technology companies. He was an audit partner leading KPMG's Technology Group in the Vancouver office for 20 years where he worked with many fast growing public companies and was involved in many M&A and IPO transactions in Canada, the US and Europe. Mr. Topham founded Social Venture Partners Vancouver in 2001 with a mission to strengthen the organizational capacity of innovative non-profits serving children in-need and youth at-risk. It has funded several million dollars and provided thousands of hours of executive time mentoring these local non-profits. Since retiring at KPMG 7 years ago, Mr. Topham has worked on several Boards of both public and private technology companies. He received a lifetime achievement award from the BC Technology Industry Association and was awarded the designation of Fellow Chartered Public Accountant (FCPA) from the Chartered Public Accountants of BC for his career achievements in the profession and community. He was a founder and Board member for 9 years of the BC Technology Industry Association that represents the technology industry in BC. Mr. Topham is a CPA and has a Bachelor of Commerce degree with Honours from the University of Saskatchewan graduating as the most distinguished graduate in the College of Commerce.

Mr. Allen Ma (Proposed Director)

As a 30-year technology industry veteran, Mr. Ma was the CEO of Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks before he retired in July 2016. He held senior executive positions within the information and communications technology sector. His past roles include president for Asia-Pacific at British Telecom, vice-president for Asia at the global telecom solutions sector of Motorola, executive director of Hong Kong Telecommunications - subsequently called Cable & Wireless HKT - and managing director of Hong Kong Telecom CSL. Ma holds an MBA from the University of Toronto and is a fellow member of both the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, UK and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, UK. He is also a Certified Management Accountant of Canada.

Proposed Advisory Team

Novoheart is supported by a Scientific Advisory Board whose proposed composition consists of eminent scientists renowned in the fields of stem cells, cardiac biology and physiology, tissue engineering, and clinical cardiology including clinical trials research, from top academic research institutes in the U.S.A. Their technical expertise will guide the development of Novoheart as a forerunner in the application of cutting-edge technologies to develop new and better treatments for heart disease and beyond.

Further Details

Both the Company and Novoheart intend to work diligently to complete the conditions precedent to Closing and anticipate completion of the Transaction in the second quarter of 2017. The Company will update its shareholders with further details as they become available.

ON BEHALF OF WOODROSE VENTURES CORPORATION

Darren Devine, President, CEO and Director

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

Completion of the Transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to, Exchange acceptance and if applicable pursuant to Exchange requirements, majority shareholder approval. Where applicable, the Transaction cannot close until the required shareholder approval is obtained. There can be no assurance that the Transaction will be completed as proposed or at all.

Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the Filing Statement to be prepared in connection with the Transaction, any information with respect to the Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied on. Trading in securities of the Company should be considered highly speculative.

The TSX Venture Exchange has in no way passed upon the merits of the Transaction and has neither approved nor disproved the contents of this news release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Information set forth in this news release may involve forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are statements that relate to future, not past, events. In this context, forward-looking statements often address expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", and "intend", statements that an action or event "may", "might", "could", "should", or "will" be taken or occur, or other similar expressions. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation; statements about the terms and completion of the Transaction are forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the following risks: failure to satisfy all conditions precedent to the Transaction, including shareholder approval, approval of the TSX Venture Exchange and completion of the necessary financings and the additional risks identified in the management discussion and analysis section of Woodrose Corporation's interim and most recent annual financial statement or other reports and filings with the TSX Venture Exchange and applicable Canadian securities regulators. Forward-looking statements are made based on management's beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date that statements are made and the respective companies undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as required by applicable securities laws. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements.

To view the photo associated with this press release, please visit the following link: http://www.marketwire.com/library/20170312-1088577_MyHeart_800.jpg

Read the original:
Woodrose Ventures Corporation Announces Proposed Acquisition ... - Marketwired (press release)

Cardiac Stem Cells Comments Off on Woodrose Ventures Corporation Announces Proposed Acquisition … – Marketwired (press release) | March 14th, 2017

March 13, 2017 6:01 PM By Stephanie Stahl

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) Doctors at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine are conducting a study to see if stem cell therapy will ease the pain of arthritis and the results of their research could benefit human patients as well.

Its Zoeys last check up,walking on a special mat called a forceplate to measure how much weight she puts on each leg.

It was just a year ago that putting weight on her front legs was painful.The 2-year-old Golden Retriever was diagnosed with elbow dysplasia, a condition that created arthritis in both elbows.

It is the most common cause of chronic pain in dogs, saidDr. Kimberly Agnello at Penn Vet.

Zoeys owner, Christine Brown, says she was a bundle of energy when she first got Zoey.

She was so sweet, said Brown. She was your typical energetic puppy.

But soon Brown knew her dog was hurting.

After coming back from a walk and taking a nap, she would get up and limp, said Brown. With her being a puppy it was devastating.

Zoey was enrolled in aPenn Vet trial to determine the benefits of stem cell therapy as a treatment to ease arthritic pain.

They are randomized into three groups, whether they receive an interarticular joint injection of hyaluronic acid or they geteither stem cells derived from their bone marrow or stem cells derived from fat, saidAgnello.

The stems cells from the dogs bone marrow are injected back into the elbow joint. Doctors hope it will relieve the arthritic pain.

We also remove a little fragment of bone that can be causing some more pain, saidAgnello.

The research isnt just about arthritis in dogs but humans as well.

The goals of this study are to look for different treatments to not only help our canine patientsbut also to help human patients with arthritis, saidAgnello.

For now results are promising.

Oh my gosh, she is not limping, she runs and jumps, and has a great time, said Brown.

The trial is ongoing so there is no hard data yet to show final results if stem cells are effective for treating arthritis, but Dr.Agnello says there are many dogs in the study and almost all of them have improved during the year-long research.

Stephanie Stahl, CBS 3 and The CW Philly 57s Emmy Award-winning health reporter, is featured daily on Eyewitness News. As one of the television industrys most respected medical reporters, Stephanie has been recognized by community and he...

DIY St. Patricks Day Party Guide

A Taste Of Philly Wine Week

Getaway Guide To Early Spring

Go here to read the rest:
Veterinary Doctors Conduct Study Looking To Ease Arthritis Pain - CBS Philly

Bone Marrow Stem Cells Comments Off on Veterinary Doctors Conduct Study Looking To Ease Arthritis Pain – CBS Philly | March 14th, 2017

TiGenix announces positiveone-year results forits phase I/II trial of donor-derived cardiac stem cell therapy in acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

The Belgian biotech TiGenixis developing allogeneic stem cell therapies. Now the companyhasannouncedthat its cardiac stem cell therapyAlloCSC-01 reached its primary endpoints in aphase I/IItrial.

In 2015, the companyacquired Coretherapixin a292M deal for its allogeneic cardiac stem cell pipeline, which is being developed for the treatment of AMI.The first-in-human trial was designed to test the safety and feasibility of an intracoronary infusion of donor-derivedexpanded cardiac stem cells (AlloCSCs)in patients with AMI and left ventricular dysfunction.

AlloCSC-01consists of adult allogeneic cardiac stem cells isolated from the heartof donors and expanded in vitro. In vivo studies suggest that these cellshave cardio-reparative potential by activating regenerative pathways and promoting the formation of new hearttissue.

Thecurrent phase II study demonstrated thesafety of these allogeneic stem cells. Initial results also revealed a larger reduction of infarct size in a subgroup of patients.

Myocardial infarction caused by blockade of coronary arteries

TiGenix is well known forChondroCellect, which was the first cell therapyto reach the European market for the repair of knee cartilage.After the companyrecently withdrew its market authorization for this product, due to a lack of reimbursement, the biotech is focusing on another stem cell therapy, Cx601, in addition to AlloCSC-01. Under development for Crohns disease, Cx601 is currently awaitingEMA approval and is in phase III trials in the US.

For a late-stage clinical company, TiGenix has a low market cap of191M. Even so, the company seems to be doing well these days with the progress of Cx601 and AlloCSC-01.

If AlloCSC-01 obtains market approval, it could treat the more than 1.9 millionpeople affected by AMI, a major cause of heart failure. So far, most treatments are palliative or restore myocardial function by angioplasty and insertion of a stent to support the vascular lumen.

Stem cell therapy of the heart is definitely not a new topic, but many trials have been conducted using the patients own stem cells derived from the bone marrow. A recent meta-analysisof such trials has suggested that these therapies are safe, but do not enhance cardiac function. TiGenixs approach using allogeneic heart-derived stem cells may offer a new and promisingopportunity in thefield.

Images via shutterstock.com / Liya Graphics andVeronika Zakharova

See the article here:
New Cardiac Stem Cell Therapy passes Phase I/II Trials - Labiotech.eu (blog)

Bone Marrow Stem Cells Comments Off on New Cardiac Stem Cell Therapy passes Phase I/II Trials – Labiotech.eu (blog) | March 14th, 2017

On March 8-9 in Boston, stem cell medicine biotechnology start-up Asymmetrex led attendees at the 6th Annual Clinical Trials Supply New England 2017 conference in discussions about the need for quality controls for the supply of tissue stem cells used for treatments in either FDA-approved clinical trials or unregulated private stem cell clinics. Though these two stem cell treatment settings are often contrasted regarding their safety and effectiveness, Asymmetrex stressed that patient care and research progress is compromised in both because of the lack of essential quality control tests for the number and quality of transplanted tissue stem cells.

Boston, MA (PRWEB) March 14, 2017

At the 6th Annual Clinical Trials Supply New England 2017 conference, held in Boston from March 8-9, James Sherley, M.D., Ph.D., director of Asymmetrex, led discussions that evaluated the quality of U.S. supplies of stem cells used in clinical trials compared to private stem cell clinics. Private stem cell clinics have been criticized for not employing research standards that are necessary to establish the therapeutic effectiveness of treatments with statistical confidence. In part because of this difference in practice, they are also often accused of making unproven claims about the effectiveness of their therapies.

Sherley presented comparisons of key operational elements to argue that, given good intent in both settings, the two different settings of stem cell treatments had both distinct and shared shortcomings. He noted, however, that the most significant shortcoming, which stem cell clinical trials and private stem cell clinics share, was perennially overlooked.

Based on the number of reported stem cell clinical trials and private stem cell clinics, Sherley estimated that close to a quarter-million patients in the U.S. now receive stem cell treatments each year. Though many of these occur within FDA-approved clinical trials, their number is dwarfed nearly 10 times by the number of treatments that occur in private stem cell clinics. It shocked the audience of clinical trial suppliers to learn that there was no stem cell quality control test performed for any of these many treatments.

Even for approved stem cell medicine treatments like bone marrow transplantation and umbilical cord blood transplant, there is no stem cell-specific quality control test available. Counts of total cells are made, but these do not adequately predict stem cell number or function. Biomarkers designated for tissue stem cells are also expressed by stem cells' more abundant non-stem cell products. So, the biomarkers lack sufficient specificity to be used to count and monitor tissue stem cell function.

Without a quality control test for tissue stem cell number, stem cell treatments in all settings proceed without knowing the dose of treating tissue stem cells. This previously unavoidable therapeutic blind spot creates an instant treatment risk. It also precludes effective analyses to optimize treatment procedures, to compare different treatments, or to relate treatment outcomes to tissue stem cell dose. Without knowing stem cell dose, the interpretation of any stem cell treatment in terms of stem cells as the responsible agents is compromised.

In this context, Sherley announced briefly to attendees that Asymmetrex's new AlphaSTEM Test for counting adult tissue stem cells and providing data on their viability and tissue cell renewal function represented the needed first quality control test for tissue stem cell treatments, whether in clinical trials, in private stem cell clinics, or approved therapies. In particular, he indicated that both stem cell treatment patients and progress in stem cell medicine would benefit from existing clinical trial supply companies developing into future private stem cell clinic supply companies to insure the quality of stem cell treatment preparations. Sherley said that, of course, their partnership with Asymmetrex to implement its new stem cell-specific quality control test was an all around best solution for accelerating progress in stem cell transplantation medicine.

About Asymmetrex

Asymmetrex, LLC is a Massachusetts life sciences company with a focus on developing technologies to advance stem cell medicine. Asymmetrex's founder and director, James L. Sherley, M.D., Ph.D. is an internationally recognized expert on the unique properties of adult tissue stem cells. The company's patent portfolio contains biotechnologies that solve the two main technical problems production and quantification that have stood in the way of successful commercialization of human adult tissue stem cells for regenerative medicine and drug development. In addition, the portfolio includes novel technologies for isolating cancer stem cells and producing induced pluripotent stem cells for disease research purposes. Currently, Asymmetrex's focus is employing its technological advantages to develop and market facile methods for monitoring adult stem cell number and function in stem cell transplantation treatments and in pre-clinical assays for drug safety.

For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2017/03/prweb14146903.htm

See more here:
At 6th Annual Clinical Trial Supply New England 2017 Conference in Boston Asymmetrex Introduces A First Specific ... - Benzinga

Bone Marrow Stem Cells Comments Off on At 6th Annual Clinical Trial Supply New England 2017 Conference in Boston Asymmetrex Introduces A First Specific … – Benzinga | March 14th, 2017

Ottawa Sun

'Butterfly Boy' steels himself for second stem-cell transplant | Ottawa ... Ottawa Sun Bracing for his second stem-cell transplant in seven months, Jonathan Pitre knows all too well the mountain in front of him, its hardships and precipices. and more »

Go here to read the rest:
'Butterfly Boy' steels himself for second stem-cell transplant | Ottawa ... - Ottawa Sun

Bone Marrow Stem Cells Comments Off on ‘Butterfly Boy’ steels himself for second stem-cell transplant | Ottawa … – Ottawa Sun | March 14th, 2017

Vampire facials sound like a totally modern sci-fi development, but people have thought that drinking or slathering on blood can heal and renew for millennia. Pliny the Elder, nearly 2,000 years ago, wrote, [e]pileptic patients are in the habit of drinking the blood even of gladiators, draughts teeming with life. Elizabeth Bthory, a noblewoman from early modern Hungary, was said to have murdered virgins and then bathed in their blood in order to retain her youth. (Its worthwhile to note that King Louis XV and Marie Antoinette were also accused of bathing in their subjects blood.) In the stories, Bthory literally soaks up the youth of virgins via contact with their blood.

We think topically applied and ingested blood, bones, organs, and cells are magical sources of life force, health, and youth that somehow surpass the efficacy of less gory, more common ingredients.

The tales of blood baths seem spurious to say the least, and apparently theyre not backed up by primary evidence. But the fact that people have been passing the stories along for centuries tells us something about how we think. Even now, we seem to really dig the idea of applying or consuming human cells for the purpose of absorbing beauty and health from them. Vampire facelifts and Dr. Barbara Sturms MC1 cream make use of plasma from ones own blood drawn and separated in-office to supposedly renew skin. We think topically applied and ingested blood, bones, organs, and cells are magical sources of life force, health, and youth that somehow surpass the efficacy of less gory, more common ingredients.

Ingredients associated with conception, birth, and nursing seem to particularly excite us. Semen facials inadvisable and groan-worthy seem to make the rounds again when clicks are needed. In Korea, the brand Isa Knox uses recombinant human placenta protein (rHPP-8TM) in the Tervina line, supplied by the CHA Placenta Institute (part of the CHA Global Medical Network that includes a university medical school and institutes for stem cell and cosmetics research).

In the case of human stem cell skincare, companies have slapped a veneer of science on our old magical beliefs to ratchet up prices and expectations.

The idea of human ingredients is so seductive that people pay extra for them even when theyre not actually in the products. A Korean beauty product nicknamed mothers milk, Eureque Muru Mor Cream, contains no human milk, just baby powder fragrance and animal milk extracts that are supposed to be similar to human breast milk. If youre looking for the real deal, check out Mud Facial Bar, which offers an ethically sourced, $10 breast milk add-on for its facials.

In the case of human stem cell skincare, companies have slapped a veneer of science on our old magical beliefs to ratchet up prices and expectations. Stem cells here Im talking about pluripotent human stem cells can be manipulated to become any cell type in the human body under the right conditions and divide essentially without limit to replenish other cells as long as the person or animal is still alive according to the National Institutes of Health.

The twist is that stem cell skincare brands such as Lifeline Skin Care dont actually use whole, live human stem cells in their products. An actual stem cell would need to be kept alive in a skin cream, and that would certainly be challenging to accomplish, according to cosmetic chemist Kelly Dobos. Lifelines parent company, International Stem Cell Corporation, extracts human growth factors from stem cells by stimulating unfertilized eggs. Its the growth factors which stimulate cell growth, differentiation, healing, and proliferation that end up bottled, not the whole stem cells.

There really isn't any concrete, unbiased research to support the use of epidermal growth factors (EGF).

I asked Stephen Alain Ko, cosmetic chemist and blogger at kindofstephen, whether applying growth factors to skin makes sense. He wrote via email, [t]here really isn't any concrete, unbiased research to support the use of epidermal growth factors (EGF) on healthy human skin, and there is also a concern that EGF can also be involved in certain cancer growth as well. Ko noted that Oprah-recommended SkinMedicas TNS Essential Serum ($281 for one ounce) faces a California class action lawsuit claiming the company failed to disclose cancer risks associated with applying human growth factors to skin.

When asked about Skinmedicas TNS Essential Serum, Dobos wrote, [a]t $281 for one ounce and questionable science backing the ingredient claims, I would opt for a less expensive skin care product. Skincare companies dont need to make extravagant claims about the power of stem cell-derived ingredients, or even use whole human stem cells in their products; simply mentioning stem cell taps into long-held beliefs about the power of wearing and consuming human cells and our wallets.

Link:
Would You Slather Blood and Breast Milk on Your Face? - Racked

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on Would You Slather Blood and Breast Milk on Your Face? – Racked | March 14th, 2017

SPOKANE, Wash. - A simple cheek swab and a few minutes of your time could save the life of someone in need of a bone marrow transplant.

In 2015, 34-year-old Danielle Vaughan had a stem cell transplant to save her life. For nearly a decade she suffered from mysterious symptoms and illnesses.

"So I had these spin and brain lesions that were very scary," said Danielle Vaughan of Spokane. "I had seizures. I was seeing doctors at Stanford, University of Washington and in Spokane, trying to figure out what was going on."

Eventually, doctors diagnosed Vaughan with Common Variable Immune Deficiency. Her sister, Dina Medin, also had the disorder and underwent a bone marrow transplant a few years ago. The sisters are two of six people in the world with CVID who have had transplants.

"All other treatment options had failed. There was nothing else, that was the only option," said Vaughan.

In September of 2015, Vaughan traveled to Seattle to prepare for the transplant. Vaughan's medical team turned to Be The Match, a national bone marrow donor registry to find her a match. Vaughan said 44 people came back as a perfect match. Her donor was a 27 year old man from the United States. She'd love to meet him one day.

"I would like to say thank you for really giving me a second chance at life. But mostly giving me the opportunity to watch my kids grow," said Vaughan.

Vaughan is now encouraging others to join Be The Match.

"You don't know who you could be helping and you are going to save that person's life," said Vaughan.

The Dairy Queen in Post Falls at 3560 E Seltice Way is hosting a Be The Match donor sign up on Thursday, March 16th from 1:45 p.m.- 4:00 p.m. To register all you need to do is fill out paperwork and swab the inside of your cheek with a special Q-tip.

See the rest here:
Bone marrow recipient encouraging others to "Be the Match" - KXLY Spokane

Bone Marrow Stem Cells Comments Off on Bone marrow recipient encouraging others to "Be the Match" – KXLY Spokane | March 12th, 2017

New Delhi [India]: Bura na mano holi hai., said Reena and ran away smearing a fistful of artificial colours on her sisters face.

Reena could have never imagined the after-effect this little prank would have on her sisters skin.

The festival of Holi can be a nightmare for people who are allergic to colours. While a couple of measures can be taken beforehand to prevent the skin from any damage, artificial colours can be nasty and can take time to leave your skin.

While a few like to protect themselves from the harsh colours and chemicals, fewer still, pay any heed to the potential skin damage before setting out to have fun.

Most of the inorganic colours have harmful chemicals that can cause allergies, reddening of the skin and burning sensation. Therefore, in order to usher in the festival of colours with pomp and celebration, it is essential to make sure that your skin comes out of the colour explosion perfectly fine.

Instead of scrubbing too much soap or heading to a beauty salon to get rid of the stubborn colours, this Holi, try your hand at Dead Sea Minerals that are high on magnesium, sodium and potassium, says Manisha Chopra, Co-Founder, SeaSoul Cosmeceuticals.

Dead Sea salts can act as an effective exfoliating agent and cleanser. To remove the stubborn colours, try out the dead sea facial mud mask that is loaded with essential ingredients such as Moroccan Argan oil, plant stem cells, noni fruit, goji berries, dead sea minerals, squalane, Aloe Vera, grape seed oil, sodium hyaluronate and Glycerin.

They dramatically help to clear the skin of all impurities and give a transformative effect on the face. Dead Sea Minerals help to get rid of the nasty colours and let you gain back smooth and healthy skin.

The products infused with Dead Sea salts are gentle and safe for all skin types as they are free of parabens and sulphates. Several medical journals have long exalted Dead Sea muds ability to promote radiance as well as its other therapeutic benefits for chronic skin conditions.

A facial polish works amazingly to get rid of the Holi colour as it removes the dead skin which has colours & then polishes the skin & cleanses the skin removing off the Holi colours. After removal of the colour, apply Dead Sea mud mask.

After removing the mask, apply Vitamin C serum to save your skin from after effects of Holi colours.

According to researchers, the Dead Sea water consists of 32% salts with a relatively high concentration of 21 minerals such as magnesium, calcium, bromide and potassium. The calcium present in the Dead Sea salt helps to cleanse pores and soothes and relieves the skin cells.

Magnesium works as an anti-allergic agent and boosts the metabolism of cells. The bromide present in the salt heals and relieves skin disorders and acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.

Sodium Chloride nourishes and hydrates skin cells and removes toxic waste, improving its permeability. Zinc promotes the natural regulation of cell growth and regeneration. It also aids in cell renewal and stimulates collagen and renews skin.

A great antioxidant, this mineral is a free-radical scavenger. It also improves anti-acne properties, anti-inflammatory properties and is a natural UV-rays blocker.

Thus, this Holi, steer clear of any rashes or breakouts on your skin as a result of stubborn colours and opt for miraculous Dead Sea products and play Holi stress-free.

Dead Sea salts can be found in facial care products such as cleansers, toners, moisturizers and masks. Avail the benefits of the wonderful minerals present in the Dead Sea and get ready to celebrate Holi to the fullest. (ANI)

Link:
This Holi, let your skin soak in benefits of Dead Sea Minerals - The Siasat Daily

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on This Holi, let your skin soak in benefits of Dead Sea Minerals – The Siasat Daily | March 12th, 2017

Ottawa Citizen

'Butterfly Boy' steels himself for second stem-cell transplant Ottawa Citizen Bracing for his second stem-cell transplant in seven months, Jonathan Pitre knows all too well the mountain in front of him, its hardships and precipices. So he's doing ... Pitre will face the transplant alongside his mother, Tina Boileau, who will ... and more »

Link:
'Butterfly Boy' steels himself for second stem-cell transplant - Ottawa Citizen

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on ‘Butterfly Boy’ steels himself for second stem-cell transplant – Ottawa Citizen | March 12th, 2017

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

Applied StemCell (ASC), a leading stem cell and genome-editing company with a goal to advance genome editing and stem cell technologies for biomedical research and clinical applications, welcomes Dr. Michele Calos as a member of the companys Scientific Advisory Board (SAB).

Dr. Michele Calos is a Professor of Genetics at the Stanford University School of Medicine, Vice President of the American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy, and has served as an Advisory Committee member for the US FDA, grant review panels for the NIH and NSF, and on numerous editorial review committees of scientific journals. She is a leader in the field of molecular genetics and has developed several novel vector systems for genetic manipulation of mammalian cells. In particular, she developed novel methods for sequence-specific integration in mammalian cells using the C31 phage integrase system. A similar integrase system was also successfully used in site-specific integration in human ES and iPS cells. For this work, Dr. Calos holds a joint patent application with Applied StemCells Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Ruby Yanru Chen-Tsai and several other Stanford researchers. Dr. Calos pioneering work with C31 integrase also set the scientific stage for ASCs TARGATT integrase technology, which was co-developed by Dr. Chen-Tsai and Dr. Liqun Luo of Stanford University for gene modification in mouse models.

We are extremely pleased to have Dr. Calos join as a member of our scientific advisory board. With her impressive background in integrase gene modification technology and gene therapy, Dr. Calos will be an invaluable guide in furthering expansion of our genome editing platforms and our gene/cell therapy pipeline, said Ruby Yanru Chen-Tsai, Ph.D., Co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Applied StemCell.

Dr. Calos and her research team are currently focused on gene therapy and genome engineering for the treatment of Duchenne and Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophies and developing further novel strategies for gene and cell therapy.

About Applied StemCell, Inc.

Applied StemCell, Inc. is a leading stem cell and gene-editing company focused on the development of products and therapeutics that are enabled by its proprietary gene editing platform technologies TARGATT and CRISPR/Cas9. For more information, please visit http://www.appliedstemcell.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170306005063/en/

View original post here:
Applied StemCell Announces the Appointment of Dr. Michele Calos, Stanford Professor and Vice President of the ... - Yahoo Finance

IPS Cell Therapy Comments Off on Applied StemCell Announces the Appointment of Dr. Michele Calos, Stanford Professor and Vice President of the … – Yahoo Finance | March 12th, 2017

March 10, 2017 15:16 ET | Source: NASDAQ, Inc.

ADVISORY, March 10, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

What:VistaGen Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq:VTGN), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing new generation medicines for depression and other central nervous system (CNS) disorders, will visit the Nasdaq MarketSite in Times Square.

In honor of the occasion, Shawn K. Singh, CEO & Director, will ring the Closing Bell.

Where:Nasdaq MarketSite 4 Times Square 43rd & Broadway Broadcast Studio

When:Monday, March 13, 2017 3:45 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET

VistaGen Contact:Mark A. McPartland (650) 577-3600 IR@vistagen.com

Nasdaq MarketSite:Emily Pan (646) 441-5120 emily.pan@nasdaq.com

Feed Information:Fiber Line (Encompass Waterfront): 4463

Gal 3C/06C 95.05 degrees West 18 mhz Lower DL 3811 Vertical FEC 3/4 SR 13.235 DR 18.295411 MOD 4:2:0 DVBS QPSK

Social Media:For multimedia features such as exclusive content, photo postings, status updates and video of bell ceremonies, please visit our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/NASDAQ.

For photos from ceremonies and events, please visit our Instagram page: http://instagram.com/nasdaq

For livestream of ceremonies and events, please visit our YouTube page: http://www.youtube.com/nasdaq/live

For news tweets, please visit our Twitter page: http://twitter.com/nasdaq

For exciting viral content and ceremony photos, please visit our Tumblr page: http://nasdaq.tumblr.com/

Webcast: A live stream of the Nasdaq Closing Bell will be available at: https://new.livestream.com/nasdaq/live or http://www.nasdaq.com/about/marketsitetowervideo.asx

Photos: To obtain a hi-resolution photograph of the Market Close, please go to http://business.nasdaq.com/discover/market-bell-ceremonies and click on the market close of your choice.

About VistaGenVistaGen Therapeutics, Inc.(NASDAQ:VTGN), is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing new generation medicines for depression and other central nervous system (CNS) disorders. VistaGen's lead CNS product candidate, AV-101, is a new generation oral antidepressant drug candidate in Phase 2 development. AV-101's mechanism of action is fundamentally differentiated from all FDA-approved antidepressants and atypical antipsychotics used adjunctively to treat MDD, with potential to drive a paradigm shift towards a new generation of safer and faster-acting antidepressants. AV-101 is currently being evaluated by the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)in a Phase 2a monotherapy study in MDD being fully funded by the NIMH and conducted by Dr. Carlos Zarate Jr., Chief, Section on the Neurobiology and Treatment of Mood Disorders and Chief of Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch at the NIMH. VistaGen is preparing to launch a 280-patient Phase 2b study of AV-101 as an adjunctive treatment for MDD patients with inadequate response to standard, FDA-approved antidepressant therapies. Dr. Maurizio Fava of Harvard University will be the Principal Investigator of the Phase 2b study. AV-101 may also have the potential to treat multiple CNS disorders and neurodegenerative diseases in addition to MDD, including chronic neuropathic pain, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease, where modulation of the NMDAR, AMPA pathway and/or key active metabolites of AV-101 may achieve therapeutic benefit.

VistaStem Therapeutics is VistaGen's wholly owned subsidiary focused on applying human pluripotent stem cell(hPSC)technology, internally and with third-party collaborators, to discover, rescue, develop and commercialize proprietary new chemical entities(NCEs),including small molecule NCEs with regenerative potential, for CNS and other diseases, and cellular therapies involving stem cell-derived blood, cartilage, heart and liver cells. In December 2016, VistaGen exclusively sublicensed to BlueRock Therapeutics LP, a next generation regenerative medicine company established by Bayer AG and Versant Ventures, rights to certain proprietary technologies relating to the production of cardiac stem cells for the treatment of heart disease.

For more information, please visitwww.vistagen.comand connect with VistaGen onTwitter,LinkedInandFacebook.

About NasdaqNasdaq (Nasdaq:NDAQ) is a leading provider of trading, clearing, exchange technology, listing, information and public company services across six continents. Through its diverse portfolio of solutions, Nasdaq enables clients to plan, optimize and execute their business vision with confidence, using proven technologies that provide transparency and insight for navigating today's global capital markets.As the creator of the world's first electronic stock market, its technology powers more than 85 marketplaces in 50 countries, and 1 in 10 of the world's securities transactions. Nasdaq is home to approximately 3,800 listed companies with a market value of $10.1 trillion and nearly 18,000 corporate clients. To learn more, visit: business.nasdaq.com.

-NDAQA-

Related Articles

Excerpt from:
VistaGen Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: VTGN) to Ring The Nasdaq Stock Market Closing Bell - GlobeNewswire (press release)

Cardiac Stem Cells Comments Off on VistaGen Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: VTGN) to Ring The Nasdaq Stock Market Closing Bell – GlobeNewswire (press release) | March 11th, 2017

Globalnews.ca

Stem cell swabbing for cancer-stricken Edmonton boy so successful it ran out of kits Globalnews.ca A Thursday evening stem cell swab event aimed at finding a match for an eight-year-old Edmonton boy with leukemia was so successful, it ran out of kits. Brady Mishio has acute myeloid leukemia, a cancer of the blood, and has undergone three rounds of ...

See the original post here:
Stem cell swabbing for cancer-stricken Edmonton boy so successful it ran out of kits - Globalnews.ca

Bone Marrow Stem Cells Comments Off on Stem cell swabbing for cancer-stricken Edmonton boy so successful it ran out of kits – Globalnews.ca | March 11th, 2017

Fox17

Be The Match registry seeking blood and bone marrow donors Fox17 A blood and marrow transplant replaces abnormal blood-forming stem cells with healthy cells. These are commonly used to treat blood cancers or other kinds of blood diseases that decrease the number of healthy blood cells in the body. Dr. Stephanie ...

More:
Be The Match registry seeking blood and bone marrow donors - Fox17

Bone Marrow Stem Cells Comments Off on Be The Match registry seeking blood and bone marrow donors – Fox17 | March 11th, 2017

Science Daily

Targeting cancer stem cells improves treatment effectiveness, prevents metastasis Science Daily ... Targeting cancer stem cells may be a more effective way to overcome cancer resistance and prevent the spread of squamous cell carcinoma the most common head and neck cancer and the second-most common skin cancer, according to a new study. Ascorbic Acid: New Potential In Targeting Cancer Stem CellsScience Times all 16 news articles »

Read more from the original source:
Targeting cancer stem cells improves treatment effectiveness, prevents metastasis - Science Daily

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on Targeting cancer stem cells improves treatment effectiveness, prevents metastasis – Science Daily | March 11th, 2017

March 09, 2017 07:03 ET | Source: Neuralstem, Inc.

-NSI-566 Achieved Robust Engraftment and Long-Term Survival After Transplantation-

- Data Published in Journal of Neurotrauma-

GERMANTOWN, Md., March 09, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Neuralstem, Inc. (Nasdaq:CUR), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of nervous system therapies based on its neural stem cell technology, announced the recent publication of preclinical data on NSI-566 spinal cord-derived neural stem cells in Journal of Neurotrauma. These data showed robust engraftment and long-term survival of NSI-566 post transplantation in a rat model of penetrating ballistic-like brain injury (PBBI). NSI-566 is Neuralstems lead stem cell therapy candidate.

The study entitled, Amelioration of penetrating ballistic-like brain injury induced cognitive deficits after neuronal differentiation of transplanted human neural stem cells," was led by Ross Bullock, M.D., Ph.D., The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami School of Medicine. These are the first data from the 4-year proof-of-concept research program, funded by the United States Department of Defense, for NSI-566 in traumatic brain injury.

These data on NSI-566 are encouraging, particularly since researchers have long been challenged to achieve durable engraftment and survival of neural stem cells after transplantation, said Dr. Bullock. No long-term treatment beyond physical therapy is currently available to restore cognition after a traumatic brain injury. Transplantation of stem cells into the injured brain may allow a unique replacement therapy and fill a significant medical need.

Researchers transplanted NSI-566 into rats 7-10 days after PBBI. The rats were immunosuppressed to enable survival of NSI-566 neural stem cells. Robust engraftment with evidence of prominent neuronal differentiation was observed after 4 months, and axons from grafted cells extended a significant distance from the graft site along host white matter tracts.

These data continue to support our research and development platform. The results provide additional insight into our proprietary regionally specific stem cells and their potential benefits in nervous system disorders, said Karl Johe, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer, Neuralstem. We look forward to additional preclinical data from this collaboration with Dr. Bullocks group to support the potential use of NSI-566 in traumatic brain injury.

About Neuralstem Neuralstems patented technology enables the commercial-scale production of multiple types of central nervous system stem cells, which are being developed as potential therapies for multiple central nervous system diseases and conditions.

Neuralstems technology enables the discovery of small molecule compounds by systematic screening chemical compounds against its proprietary human hippocampal stem cell line. The screening process has led to the discovery and patenting of molecules that Neuralstem believes may stimulate the brains capacity to generate new neurons, potentially reversing pathophysiologies associated with certain central nervous system (CNS) conditions.

The company has completed Phase 1a and 1b trials evaluating NSI-189, a novel neurogenic small molecule product candidate, for the treatment of major depressive disorder or MDD, and is currently conducting a Phase 2 efficacy study for MDD.

Neuralstems stem cell therapy product candidate, NSI-566, is a spinal cord-derived neural stem cell line. Neuralstem is currently evaluating NSI-566 in three indications: stroke, chronic spinal cord injury (cSCI), and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

Neuralstem is conducting a Phase 1 safety study for the treatment of paralysis from chronic motor stroke at the BaYi Brain Hospital in Beijing, China. In addition, NSI-566 was evaluated in a Phase 1 safety study to treat paralysis due to chronic spinal cord injury as well as a Phase 1 and Phase 2a risk escalation, safety trials for ALS. Subjects from all three indications are currently in long-term observational follow-up periods to continue to monitor safety and possible therapeutic benefits.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Information This news release contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements relate to future, not past, events and may often be identified by words such as expect, anticipate, intend, plan, believe, seek or will. Forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain. Specific risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements include risks inherent in the development and commercialization of potential products, uncertainty of clinical trial results or regulatory approvals or clearances, need for future capital, dependence upon collaborators and maintenance of our intellectual property rights. Actual results may differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking statements. Additional information on potential factors that could affect our results and other risks and uncertainties are detailed from time to time in Neuralstems periodic reports, including the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, and Form 10-Q for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and in other reports filed with the SEC. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

Related Articles

Germantown, Maryland, UNITED STATES

Neuralstem, Inc. Logo

LOGO URL | Copy the link below

Formats available:

Read the original post:
Neuralstem Announces Publication of NSI-566 Data in a Rodent Model of Traumatic Brain Injury - GlobeNewswire (press release)

Spinal Cord Stem Cells Comments Off on Neuralstem Announces Publication of NSI-566 Data in a Rodent Model of Traumatic Brain Injury – GlobeNewswire (press release) | March 10th, 2017

The following are some of the biotech stocks that made their way onto the Day's Gainers & Losers' list of March 9, 2017.

GAINERS

1. Ocera Therapeutics Inc. (OCRX)

Gained 71.82% to close Thursday's trading at $1.89.

News: The Company reported additional encouraging results from its Phase 2b STOP-HE study of intravenous (IV) OCR-002 in hospitalized patients with Hepatic Encephalopathy.

The initial STOP-HE results, reported in January 2017, had demonstrated highly statistically significant reduction in ammonia levels over placebo, strong evidence of benefit across multiple endpoints with higher doses (15g, 20g), clinical improvement dose trend, increased responder rate with increased dose and superiority over placebo at all doses. OCR-002 was also safe and well-tolerated.

The additional study data revealed on Thursday indicates that IV OCR-002 provided clinical benefit over placebo in other parameters as well, such as the Physician Overall Evaluation, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores, and in renal function as measured by the change from baseline in Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) levels.

2. Cymabay Therapeutics Inc. (CBAY)

Gained 20.29% to close Thursday's trading at $4.09.

News: The Company will provide a corporate overview at the 29th Annual ROTH Conference on March 13th and at the Oppenheimer 27th Annual Healthcare Conference on March 21st.

Near-term catalysts:

- The results from phase II study of Cymabay's investigational drug Seladelpar in primary biliary cholangitis are expected in 3Q 2017. - The company's most advanced product candidate is Arhalofenate for treatment of gout, which has completed phase II studies. The drug candidate is licensed to Kowa Pharmaceuticals America, Inc. in the U.S.

Licensing discussions for other territories are underway. Ex-US licensing agreement for Arhalofenate is expected to be inked this year.

3. Neuralstem Inc. (CUR)

Gained 19.64% to close Thursday's trading at $5.30.

News: The preclinical data of the Company's NSI-566 spinal cord-derived neural stem cells in a rodent model of traumatic brain injury shows robust engraftment and long-term survival. The data are published in Journal of Neurotrauma.

NSI-566 is being explored in three indications: stroke, chronic spinal cord injury (cSCI), and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

A phase I safety study of NSI-566 for the treatment of paralysis from chronic motor stroke is being conducted at the BaYi Brain Hospital in Beijing, China. In addition, NSI-566 was evaluated in a Phase 1 safety study to treat paralysis due to chronic spinal cord injury as well as a Phase 1 and Phase 2a risk escalation, safety trials for ALS. Subjects from all three indications are currently in long-term observational follow-up periods to continue to monitor safety and possible therapeutic benefits, according to the company.

Near-term catalyst:

-- Data from a phase II trial of NSI-189 for the treatment of major depressive disorder is expected in 3Q 2017.

4. Immunomedics Inc. (IMMU)

Gained 19.48% to close Thursday's trading at $6.01.

News: A global licensing agreement between Seattle Genetics (SGEN) and Immunomedics, worth over $2 billion, has been put on hold by a Delaware judge, following an injunction filed by venBio Select Advisor LLC, the largest shareholder of Immunomedics, to block the deal.

The license agreement between Seattle Genetics and Immunomedics was signed last month, and it involves antibody-drug conjugate, Sacituzumab govitecan, or IMMU-132.

Sacituzumab Govitecan (IMMU-132) is Immunomedics' lead investigational drug. As part of the agreement, Seattle Genetics is responsible for initiating phase III clinical trials of IMMU-132 in patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and will be responsible for submitting the initial Biologics License Application to the FDA for accelerated approval.

VenBio is seeking to thwart the deal saying it undervalues the potential of IMMU-132. Now that a temporary restraining order has been placed on the deal, maybe there is an opportunity for a better deal.

5. Curis Inc. (CRIS)

Gained 20.78% to close Thursday's trading at $3.08.

News: The Company reported Q4 and full-year 2016 financial results and updated the progress of its pipeline.

The net loss for Q4, 2016 narrowed to $11.3 million or $0.08 per share on total revenue of $2.36 million. This compared with a net loss of $13.5 million or $0.10 per share and total revenue of $2.09 million in the year-ago period.

As for its clinical pipeline, the company noted that its phase I trial for CA-170 continues to progress on track through the dose escalation stage, and extension of the CA-170 Phase 1 study is all set to begin with enrollment of immunotherapy-nave patients in Korea and Spain, and with additional trial centers in other European countries projected to open in the second quarter.

A phase II trial of another drug candidate CUDC-907 in patients with relapsed/refractory MYC-altered diffuse large B cell lymphoma, or DLBCL , is expected to complete enrollment within the first half of this year.

6. VIVUS Inc. (VVUS)

Gained 16.35% to close Thursday's trading at $1.21.

News: The Company reported Q4 and full-year 2016 financial results.

VIVUS reversed to profit in the fourth quarter and full year of 2016 from net losses in the comparable year-ago periods.

Net income for the 2016 fourth quarter and full year was $56.6 million or $0.54 per share and $23.3 million or $0.22 per share, respectively, as compared to a net loss of $12.2 million or $0.12 per share and $93.1 million or $0.90 per share in 2015, respectively.

VIVUS had cash, cash equivalents and available-for-sale securities of $269.5 million at December 31, 2016.

The company noted that it will use its strong cash position for the acquisition and development of a new product pipeline to drive value creation for its stockholders while addressing the unmet needs of patients.

7. TG Therapeutics Inc. (TGTX)

Gained 16.26% to close Thursday's trading at $11.80. Shares of TG Therapeutics have been on the rise since announcing positive top line data from its phase III trial of TG-1101 in patients with high risk Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, dubbed GENUINE, on March 6, 2017.

News: The Company has priced an underwritten public offering of 5,128,206 shares of its common stock at a price of $9.75 per share.

Anticipated event: Q4 and full-year 2016 financial results and an update on business outlook for 2017 are slated to be presented on March 10, 2017.

LOSERS

1. InspireMD Inc. (NSPR)

Lost 37.56% to close Thursday's trading at $1.23.

News: The Company has priced its public offering of shares of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock, Series B warrants and Series C warrants.

Each share of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock is convertible into 4 shares of common stock at a conversion price equal to $1.60 per share. The Series B warrants have an exercise price of $2.00 per share of common stock and Series C warrants have an exercise price of $1.60 per share of common stock.

The gross proceeds from the offering are estimated to be up to $7.5 million. The offering is expected to close on or about March 14, 2017.

2. Cogentix Medical Inc. (CGNT)

Lost 13.12% to close Thursday's trading at $1.92.

News: The Company reported Q4 and full-year 2016 financial results.

Net loss for Q4 2016 widened to $18.57 million or $0.40 per share on revenue of $13.2 million. This compared with a net loss of $1.09 million or $0.04 per share and revenue of $13.64 million in the year-ago period.

3. BIOLASE Inc. (BIOL)

Lost 12.41% to close Thursday's trading at $1.20.

News: The Company reported Q4 and full-year 2016 financial results

The net loss for the fourth quarter of 2016 widened to $4.4 million or $0.07 per share as revenues declined to $13.8 million. This compared with a net loss of $2.5 million or $0.04 per share and revenue of $14.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2015.

4. Tandem Diabetes Care Inc. (TNDM)

Lost 11.63% to close Thursday's trading at $1.90.

News: The Company reported Q4 and full-year 2016 financial results.

The net loss for the fourth quarter of 2016 widened to $14.82 million or $0.48 per share as sales fell to $28.91 million. This compared with a net loss of $12.09 million or $0.40 per share and sales of $29.12 million in the fourth quarter of 2015. Tandem has also filed a registration statement on Form S-1 with the SEC relating to a proposed follow-on public offering of approximately $50 million of its common stock.

by RTT Staff Writer

For comments and feedback: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News

See the original post:
Gainers & Losers Of Mar.9: CBAY, IMMU, TGTX, NSPR, TNDM... - RTT News

Spinal Cord Stem Cells Comments Off on Gainers & Losers Of Mar.9: CBAY, IMMU, TGTX, NSPR, TNDM… – RTT News | March 10th, 2017

TiGenix Announces Positive Topline Week-104 Data for Cx601 ADMIRE-CD Trial P&T Community Effective July 31, 2015, TiGenix acquired Coretherapix, whose lead cellular product candidate, AlloCSC-01, is currently in a Phase II clinical trial in Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI). In addition, the second product candidate from the cardiac stem ... and more »

See the original post here:
TiGenix Announces Positive Topline Week-104 Data for Cx601 ADMIRE-CD Trial - P&T Community

Cardiac Stem Cells Comments Off on TiGenix Announces Positive Topline Week-104 Data for Cx601 ADMIRE-CD Trial – P&T Community | March 10th, 2017

Numerous people may say they want to grow up to be a heart surgeon, but very few actually achieve that goal. Holly Mewhort, MD, PhD, is one who has done so. And thats not the only thing Mewhort, who is part of the Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Albertas cardiac surgical residency program, has accomplished.

She has also excelled in basic and translational research. She recently received international recognition for her work in cardiac research, winning the Vivien Thomas Young Investigator Award from the American Heart Association, a prestige award given to early investigators who are focusing on fundamental and applied surgical research.

That research was done as part of her PhD program, which she completed in June 2016 under the supervision of Libin Institutes Paul Fedak, MD, PhD. Fedak is a cardiac surgeon and basic/translational researcher who directs the Marlene and Don Campbell Family Cardiac Research Laboratory at the Cumming School of Medicine.

Research shows biomaterial can trigger healing in damaged heart muscle

Mewhorts research investigates the use of biomaterial in regenerating and restoring heart tissue in patients who had previously suffered a heart attack. The material, CorMatrix-ECM, is a connective tissue matrix surgically applied to damaged heart tissue to trigger healing.Mewhort describes the material as providing the scaffolding that holds cells together and influences their behaviour and survival.

Her research in this area began four years ago in the lab and has had great success. In preclinical trials, the project has shown that this bio-material can restore function to damaged heart muscle by promoting the formation of new blood vessel networks a process called vasculogenesis.

The investigators have completed a pilot clinical trial, which saw the patch applied to the heart tissue of a handful of patients during coronary bypass surgery. The results havent been published yet, but the data looks promising.

Mewhort is thrilled to be part of a research project that has been successfully translated from bench to bedside. If it works at the clinical trial level, this could be a game-changer for patients who have suffered a heart attack, she says, noting until now, there hasnt been a way of restoring function to damaged heart tissue in those patients.

Cardiac surgery research program is 'cutting edge'

Its also exciting for Mewhort to win the same award her mentor, Dr. Paul Fedak, received 14 years ago. He was also a cardiac surgery trainee pursuing a PhD, investigating stem cell regeneration of heart tissue. The fact that two researchers connected with the University of Calgary earned the same international award is impressive, as competition is stiff. Past winners have studied at such institutions as the University of Toronto, Duke and Stanford.

Fedak, who studied at the University of Toronto, was recruited to come to Calgary about a decade ago and has since set up a cutting-edge cardiac surgery research program. Mewhort is the first PhD graduate of his laboratory. As her mentor, Fedak, who, besides being an academic researcher is a full-time clinical heart surgeon, is pleased to see the program turning out well-respected young academic surgical scientists.

He says Mewhorts award fulfils another career goal, explaining that when he won the Vivien Thomas Young Investigator Award his desire became to see one of his students do the same. For Fedak, the award signifies the coming-of-age of academic cardiac surgeon training in Calgary.

This shows us how far we have come with our program, he says.

Receiving her mentors praise is a big deal for Mewhort, as Fedak was one of the reasons she chose to pursue her surgery training and PhD in Calgary. Mewhorts future looks bright as she continues her residency in cardiac surgery on campus with the ultimate goal of having an active surgical and research career, much like her mentor.

Here is the original post:
Cardiac research nets Holly Mewhort prestigious heart association award - UCalgary News

Cardiac Stem Cells Comments Off on Cardiac research nets Holly Mewhort prestigious heart association award – UCalgary News | March 10th, 2017