Excerpts from the IOM Report on the California Stem Cell agency
By Dr. Matthew Watson
Here are excerpts from the $700,000 Institute of Medicine (IOM) report on the $3 billion California stem cell
agency -- the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine (CIRM).
structure, scientific program, and policies are critical to better
serving California taxpayers who elected to devote funding to promote
stem cell research in the state. The necessary changes outlined by
the IOM committee, if enacted by the state and/or the institute,
would help to instill confidence among the scientific community and
California residents in the vital work that CIRM is accomplishing.”
that overall, CIRM has done a very good job of initially establishing
and then updating the strategic plans that have set priorities for
and guided its programs, and of taking advantage of its guaranteed
flow of $300 million a year for 10 years to establish a sustainable
position in regenerative medicine for California. The challenge of
moving its research programs closer to the clinic and California’s
large biotechnology sector is certainly on CIRM’s agenda, but
substantial achievements in this arena remain to be made.
achievements to date, as well as the largely positive independent
reports covering various aspects of its operations, no one would
claim that CIRM is a perfect organization or that it should adhere
slavishly to its initial form of organization, set of regulations, or
pattern of priorities. The field of regenerative medicine has
advanced rapidly since November 2004, and CIRM itself has seen the
need to alter its activities and approaches in some areas. The
committee believes the same should be true of its governance
structure, some of its administrative practices, and its use of
external perspectives on strategic scientific priorities and on the
evaluation of other key policies, such as intellectual property, to
ensure that they continue to encourage the development and deployment
of new treatments.”
the administrative structure of CIRM established in Proposition 71
had the advantage of protecting the institute’s ongoing operations
from outside interference in an ethically controversial arena, they
also made it difficult to modify the organization’s structure in
response to experience and/or changing circumstances. Moreover, these
protections, whatever their benefits, appear to some to shield CIRM
from the normal accountability mechanisms in place for state
agencies.”
represent organizations that receive CIRM funding or benefit from
that funding. These competing personal and professional
interests compromise the perceived independence of the ICOC,
introduce potential bias into the board’s decision making, and
threaten to undermine confidence in the board. Neither the board
chair nor board members should serve on any working group. The board
itself should include representatives of the diverse constituencies
that have an interest in stem cell research, but no institution or
organization should be guaranteed a seat.”
conflicts of interest has persisted for as long as CIRM has existed.
The IOM committee would be less concerned about individual board
members with actual or perceived conflicts of interest if the board
membership included more truly independent members. The majority of
board members should be independent, with no competing or conflicting
personal or professional interest. Broader representation from a
wider variety of stakeholders will inject new perspectives into the
panel and will help to dispel the perception of conflicts of
interest.
of interest definitions to include non-financial interests, such as
the potential for personal conflicts of interest to arise from one’s
own affliction with a disease or personal advocacy on behalf of that
disease. CIRM policies for managing conflicts of interest should
apply to that broader definition.”
governing board) functions both as an executor and as an
overseer—competing duties that compromise the ICOC’s critical
role of providing independent oversight and strategic
direction. The IOM committee recommends that CIRM’s operations
be separated from its oversight. The board should delegate more
authority and responsibility for day-to-day affairs to the
president and senior management, and the ICOC’s three working
groups should report to senior management within CIRM, rather than to
the ICOC. The moves would permit the board to better focus its energy
and collective talent on strategic planning, overseeing financial
performance, ensuring legal compliance, assessing the
president’s performance, and devising a plan for preserving and
expanding its considerable assets to permit the institute to continue
its important work after the bond measures end.”
challenge teams to have filed a request to begin clinical trials or
to have completed early-stage trials in patients within four years,
the committee feels these ambitious goals are unrealistic. New
therapies take more time to progress to federal approval, and
early-stage clinical trials are beset by a staggeringly high
failure rate. Rather than judging success by simply tallying the
number of active clinical trials, the IOM committee suggests
that CIRM also continue its focus on underlying biological mechanisms
that drive the success or failure of a promising therapy and on
careful design of clinical trials. Advances in these areas will
help the entire field progress, even if a specific drug candidate
is not approved."
expenditures are supporting approximately 3,400 jobs and their
innovative efforts have also attracted substantial additional private
and institutional resources to this research arena in California
CIRM’s long-term impact on such critical aspects of the California
economy as state tax revenues and health care costs beyond the
shorter-term and temporary impact of its direct expenditures cannot
be reliably estimated at this point in CIRM’s history.... (T)he
estimate of the Analysis Group (2008) that the CIRM program alone
would support about 3,400 jobs as long as it was allocating about
$300 million per year in research and development grants appears
quite reasonable to the committee. To put this estimate in context,
however, total employment in California is roughly 16 million, and
NIH alone provides more than $3.5 billion per year to California
research institutions.”
specify who will have the power and authority to assert and enforce
in the future rights retained by the state in CIRM-funded
intellectual property. CIRM should seek to clarify which state
agencies and actors will be responsible for the exercise of
discretion currently allocated to CIRM and the ICOC (the CIRM
governing board) over future determinations on issues regarding
march-in rights, access plans, and revenue-sharing rights that might
arise years after CIRM's initial funding period has passed.... (T)he
ICOC should reconsider whether its goal of developing cures would be
better served by harmonizing CIRM’s IP policies wherever possible
with the more familiar policies of the Bayh-Dole Act(federal IP law).
Source:
Stem Cell Therapy
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December 9th, 2012
Collapse of Big Pharma Deal Involving California Stem Cell Agency
By Dr. Matthew Watson
A ballyhooed deal has blown apart that
would have hooked up – for the first time – Big Pharma and the $3
billion California stem cell agency.
quietly disclosed yesterday in background material prepared for the
Dec. 12 meeting of the stem cell agency's governing board.
when Viacyte, Inc., of San Diego, received a $10.1 million award to
help finance a clinical trial for a diabetes treatment involving
Viacyte and GlaxoSmithKline.
“We have recently been informed that
GSK was not able to obtain the final approval required due to
business reasons in the context of GSK's overall research and
development portfolio and investment needs and not as a result of any
scientific or technical assessment of ViaCyte's program.”
the Glaxo decision.
has received $36 million from CIRM, be given another $3 million
because Glaxo has exited the trial.
Viacyte and CIRM was trumpeted in October, when Viacyte was awarded
the $10 million. Officials of the stem cell agency said the award
was a “watershed” for CIRM. Jason Gardner, head of the Glaxo stem
cell unit and who attended the meeting, told the California Stem Cell
Report that the arrangement was a partnership and that the company
intended to develop a sustainable pipeline.
business-connected deal that has collapsed for the $3 billion agency
within the last 13 months. In November 2011, Geron abandoned its
clinical trial for spinal injuries. CIRM had loaned Geron $25 million
for the trial just three months earlier. The company paid the money
back with interest.
agency remain “extremely positive” about the Viacyte research and
“strongly recommended” that the company receive the additional $3
million. The memo said that trial has a “strong potential” to be
commercialized.
Source:Stem Cell Therapy
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December 9th, 2012
Extra, Extra! CIRM Staffers Blog the World Stem Cell Summit
By Dr. Matthew Watson
Years ago, I worked with an editor who
used to advise his lagging scribes to put their noses in their
typewriters and peck.
noses in what passes today for typewriters and are pecking away
furiously. Their subject is the World Stem Cell Summit, which has
received only slight coverage in the mainstream media.
Francisco's King Street filed -- on the agency's blog -- three fulsome
items on doings at the summit, which is taking place in West Palm
Beach, Fla. Yesterday they filed four. Photos and charts were
included. More coverage is expected tomorrow.
 |
| CIRM staffers blogging the World Stem Cell Summit covered UC Davis researcher Paul Knoepfler discussing patient advocacy and its role in funding stem cell research. |
The CIRM writers are doing double-duty
in at least one case. Geoff Lomax, the agency's senior officer for
its standards group, is additionally speaking on a panel at the session. A
handful of other CIRM officials are also appearing at the conference,
which ends tomorrow.
sending state employees across the country is to gather the latest
information on stem cell science and issues and to make contacts. It
is a bit of a bonus for the public to have the CIRM attendees also
file stories on the sessions.
attention. One dealt with patient advocates and their role in
energizing and helping to drive funding for research. Another item
discussed what appear to be growing issues with dubious stem cell treatments and the damage they can do to the field in general.
cell scam like this:
- “Claims of miracle cures for
diseases - “Single treatments or cells that
can treat any type of disease - “Lack of objective information,
evidence (such as published medical reports) that a treatment is
effective - “Treatment by a doctor who is
not trained or certified to treat the specific disease - “No system exists to collect
information and follow up with patients”
Source:Stem Cell Therapy
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December 9th, 2012
$80 Million in Grants, Money for Viacyte and Blue-Ribbon Report on California Stem Cell Agency
By Dr. Matthew Watson
Directors of the California stem cell
agency are expected to give away $80 million next week to 20
fortunate researchers in addition to exploring a “commercialization
and industry engagement plan.”
research effort.
“career development of physician scientists working in
translational stem cell research.”
“This award will fund promising
physician scientists in the critical early stages of their careers as
independent investigators and faculty members establishing their own
laboratories and programs.”
comments and application scores should be available sometime this
week. The bare-bones agenda lacked elaboration on the
commercialization plan.
hear a presentation on the blue-ribbon report by the Institute of
Medicine for which the agency is paying $700,000. The report has been
17 months in the making and is scheduled to be released this
Thursday.
table, although the agency has yet to produce background material
laying out any details. The subjects include:
- More money – no amount yet specified
– for Viacyte, Inc, of San Diego, which has received more than $36
million from CIRM. - An update of the agency's response to
the only performance audit conducted at the agency. The audit
identified 27 areas where improvement is needed, but the governing
board has not discussed the results publicly since they were
disclosed last May. - Approval of the concept plan for
another round of basic biology grants and adoption of conflict of
interest code changes.
Interested parties will be able to take part at the meeting location in Los Angeles and teleconference locations in La Jolla, Oakland and UCSF. If you are interested in
the teleconference locations, you will need to contact the agency for more specific directions than are provided on the agenda.
Source:Stem Cell Therapy
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December 9th, 2012
Update on Move To Curb Researcher Appeals at California Stem Cell Agency
By Dr. Matthew Watson
Directors of the $3 billion California
stem cell agency are still mulling details of changes in their
free-wheeling and sometimes emotional appeals process for grant applications
that are rejected by the agency's reviewers.
for the second time to discuss the likely alterations. Kevin McCormack, spokesman for the agency, said
the group made no decisions. Another meeting will be held later at a
date to be determined. The task force's recommendations will then go
before the full board, probably in late January.
have asked for “more details regarding the process that would be
employed if the appeals and extraordinary petition processes were
merged.”
appeals process. Early in its existence, the agency said appeals of
reviewer decisions could be based only on conflicts of interest.
However, researchers have a right under state law to speak to the
governing board in public on any issue whatsoever. As some
researchers began to use that avenue to ask for reconsideration of
their applications, the CIRM board created what it called
“extraordinary petitions” in an effort to control the process and
limit appeals. Both the “appeals” and “extraordinary petitions”
are, in fact, appeals but on different grounds and employing different
mechanisms.
after directors complained about “arm-twisting” and “emotionally charged presentations” in connection with a record number of
appeals earlier this year.
transcript of the session should be available on the CIRM web site
within the next two weeks. It will be found under the meetings
section of the web and then under the heading for the task force's
November session.
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uqpFc/~3/Hkq7zcXyMsQ/update-on-move-to-curb-researcher.html
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December 9th, 2012
An all natural skincare serum based on stemcells science – Video
By Sykes24Tracey
An all natural skincare serum based on stemcells science
Independent clinical trials show DRAMATIC results - 25% fewer wrinkles,30% more moisture and 10% more elasticity...in just 28 days! Our breakthrough serum revitalizes the skin at the cellular level, to restore and maintain the skin #39;s youthful vibrance. DermaStem is a mocha-hued fusion of natural oils that blends invisibly into the skin. This all-natural serum contains a velvety emulsion of the world #39;s most restorative ingredients. This revolutionary product works to reduce the signs of premature aging by supporting the work of skin stem cells, the natural renewal system of the skin. For order online or more information,please contact us at http://www.myonline.stemtechbiz.com or email to fusioncreations@gmail.com.From:Tony Lim Careen SeeViews:1 0ratingsTime:06:48More inHowto Style
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December 7th, 2012
WISE Surgical Solutions LLC Announces Project Hope: Helping People with Debilitating Conditions Including Arthritis …
By Dr. Matthew Watson
With millions of people in aggregate suffering from debilitating disease, reduced mobility, or relentless pain associated with various conditions, stem cell medicine is available now through WISE Surgical Solutions LLC by direct flight from some major cities to our Joint Commission International Accredited Johns Hopkins affiliated Punta Pacifica Hospital in Panama.
New York (PRWEB) December 06, 2012
Cathy Nenninger, Chief Executive Officer of WISE Surgical Solutions LLC, shared why this offering is important. When I ran wound centers up and down the east coast, I used to get calls from patients and family members desperate for treatments to help alleviate severe symptoms of ailments such as these. It was heartbreaking that we were not able to provide any type of help or hope to these patients. Granted, while the response and success of stem cell treatment in patients varies greatly and by disease, patients who are in extreme discomfort or experiencing reduced function or quality of life deserve to know that they have options available to them.
A significant element of PROJECT HOPE, continues Ms. Nenninger, is the opportunity for community funding of the treatment. Often, families and communities want to help someone by making donations that will collectively fund a surgery or procedure which in itself can add another chore to the already stressed world of a Care Captain (person seeking help for another); Our goal is to make the process easy. For more information on Project Hope, call (631) 942-6040 or for a quote for service, fill out a medical history form available at http://www.WISESurgicalSolutions.com.
WISE Surgical Solutions LLC is based out of New York and caters to companies and patients seeking quality healthcare at an affordable price inclusive of travel. Offerings include medical, dental and surgical procedures of most types, in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and stem cell medicine. Community & group funding as well as financing options are available for patients. Media relations inquiries can be directed to (631) 909-8538 or emailed to surgsolutions(at)optimum(dot)net.
Cathy M. Nenninger, MBA Wise Surgical Solutions LLC (631) 942-6040 Email Information
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December 6th, 2012
Kell – ASD – 3 day after Stem Cell Treatment Part 2 – Video
By Sykes24Tracey
Kell - ASD - 3 day after Stem Cell Treatment Part 2
For more information about ASD and Stem Cell Therapy, please visit worldstemcells.com © 2012 World Stem Cells LLCFrom:WorldStem CellsViews:2 2ratingsTime:17:14More inScience Technology
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December 5th, 2012
Making Stem Cell Thearpy Safer – Mayo Clinic – Video
By daniellenierenberg
Making Stem Cell Thearpy Safer - Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic researchers have found a way to detect and eliminate potentially troublemaking stem cells to make stem cell therapy safer. Induced Pluripotent Stem cells, also known as iPS cells, are bioengineered from adult tissues to have properties of embryonic stem cells, which have the unlimited capacity to differentiate and grow into any desired types of cells, such as skin, brain, lung and heart cells. Study Author, Dr. Timothy Nelson provides and overview.From:mayoclinicViews:45 0ratingsTime:02:04More inScience Technology
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December 5th, 2012
Precision StemCell's Neural Reprogrammed Stem Cell Therapy Yields Better-Than-Expected Results for ALS Patients
By JoanneRUSSELL25
GULF SHORES, Ala., Dec. 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --More than 75 percent of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients who received neural reprogrammed stem cell therapy have shown a positive response to the procedure. The groundbreaking technique was introduced to the United States this year by Precision StemCell (http://www.precisionstemcell.com), an outpatient imaging and image-guided treatment facility located in Gulf Shores, Ala.
The procedure is performed by Dr. Jason R. Williams, a board-certified radiologist with extensive training in image-guided procedures. Under his care, 14 out of 18 patients diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, have shown signs of recovery.
"The improvements are mild, with patients reporting improved movement, breathing and speech, but we still have a long way to go," Dr. Williams stated. "Only time will tell how this therapy will affect the patients' long-term prognosis."
In Precision StemCell's neural reprogrammed stem cell therapy, fat-derived stem cells are injected into the spine of the patient. Dr. Williams uses a drug called selegeline, which has been shown to be a pre-inducer of adipose-derived stem cells into neural-like cells. Dr. Williams contends that the therapy is probably one of the largest advances seen in ALS therapy. "Before we started this therapy, I would have been happy just to see the progression of the disease halted, but to see some actual improvement, that was just shocking," he said
The first patient treated with the technique was Frank Orgel who continues to see improvement since his first treatment seven months ago. Eight years ago, Orgel's quality of life had declined to the point that he could not move his left arm or leg, walk or even stand on his own. The therapy has allowed Orgel to stand without assistance, and he continues to work with a physical therapist to regain the ability to walk. Another patient, Dexter Johnson, previously walked with a cane. After the treatment, Johnson has been able to walk without his cane for the majority of the time and he has been able to walk at a much faster pace.
The Precision StemCell center focuses on advanced imaging techniques, which include a 3T Open MRI, a low-dose 64-Slice CT Scanner, ultrasound and fluoroscopy, also known as real-time x-ray. The center is headed by Dr. Williams, who specializes in image-guided procedures, had already been performing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), ultrasound and fluoroscopy-guided stem cell injections for joint and orthopedic conditions.
In addition to their current work on advanced stem cell harvesting and processing with image-guided stem cell injections, Precision StemCell staff are planning to conduct further research so as to develop even more advanced techniques such as adding gene therapy to the current neural reprogramming platform. "Our therapy techniques not only hold promise for ALS patients, but also for people with other neural-related conditions such as Parkinson's and spinal cord injuries," said Dr. Williams. "There are several candidate genes that we plan to add to the adipose-derived stem cells and study in the mouse model. Though we are happy with our initial progress, our goal is to develop an effective cure."
About Precision StemCell
Located in Gulf Shores, Alabama, Precision StemCell conducts stem cell procedures using advanced imaging techniques, which include an Open 3T MRI, a low-dose 64-Slice CT scanner, ultrasound, and real time x-ray (fluoroscopy). Headed by Jason Williams, MD, a board-certified radiologist with extensive training in image-guided procedures, the facility performs advanced stem cell harvesting and processing with image-guided stem cell injections.
Contact:
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December 5th, 2012
.Rejuvenare Stem Cell Therapy 888-988-5456 – Video
By JoanneRUSSELL25
.Rejuvenare Stem Cell Therapy 888-988-5456
Rejuvenare Autologous Adult Stem Cell Therapy welcome video asks and answers questions on whether someone is a candidate for stem cell therapy. More can be found at http://www.rejuvenare.comFrom:rejuvenareViews:2 0ratingsTime:01:01More inPeople Blogs
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December 3rd, 2012
NeoStem to Present at Multiple Conferences in December
By Sykes24Tracey
NEW YORK, Dec. 3, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NeoStem, Inc. (NYSE MKT:NBS) ("NeoStem" or the "Company"), an emerging leader in the fast growing cell therapy market, today announced that the Company and its subsidiary, Progenitor Cell Therapy ("PCT"), will present at multiple conferences in December.
World Stem Cell Summit
RedChip Small-Cap Equities Virtual Conference
Cell Therapy Manufacturing (Informa Life Sciences' 3rd Annual VIC Congress 2012)
American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting and Exposition ("ASH")
NeoStem's abstract on VSELTM Technology titled "A Lin-CD45-CD34+ Population of Extracellular Vesicles in Human Blood That Mimics Very Small Embryonic-Like Stem Cells (VSELs) by Flow Cytometry" has been selected for publication online in December in conjunction with the ASH Annual Meeting and Exposition, December 8-11, 2012. The abstract will be available at http://bloodjournal.hematologylibrary.org/site/misc/ASH_Meeting_Abstracts_Info.xhtml.
About NeoStem, Inc.
NeoStem, continues to develop and build on its core capabilities in cell therapy, capitalizing on the paradigm shift occurring in medicine. We anticipate that cell therapy will have a significant role in the fight against chronic disease and in lessening the economic burden that these diseases pose to modern society. We are emerging as a technology and market leading company in this fast developing cell therapy industry. Our multi-faceted business strategy combines a state-of-the-art contract development and manufacturing subsidiary, PCT, with a medically important cell therapy product development program, enabling near and long-term revenue growth opportunities. We believe that, with our expertise and research capabilities and collaborations, we will achieve our mission of becoming a premier cell therapy company.
Our contract development and manufacturing service business supports the development of proprietary cell therapy products. NeoStem's most clinically advanced therapeutic, AMR-001, is being developed at Amorcyte, LLC ("Amorcyte"), which we acquired in October 2011. Amorcyte is developing a cell therapy for the treatment of cardiovascular disease and is enrolling patients in a Phase 2 trial to investigate AMR-001's efficacy in preserving heart function after a heart attack. Athelos Corporation ("Athelos"), which is 80%-owned by our subsidiary, PCT, is collaborating with Becton-Dickinson in the early clinical exploration of a T-cell therapy for autoimmune conditions. In addition, pre-clinical assets include our VSELTM Technology platform as well as our mesenchymal stem cell product candidate for regenerative medicine. Our service business and pipeline of proprietary cell therapy products work in concert to create a competitive advantage that we believe is unique to the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. Supported by an experienced scientific and business management team and a substantial intellectual property estate, we are well positioned to succeed.
For more information, please visit http://www.neostem.com.
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December 3rd, 2012
Biotechnology: Things you should know about Gene Therapy
By Dr. Matthew Watson
Introduction
Genetic disorders are becoming common nowadays due to stressful modern lifestyle. Latest technologies are the added values to create many genetic disorders. To overcome the disorders, Gene therapy is a blessing. In order to compensate abnormal genes and make a good gene, genetic material is introduced into cells. In this way, mutated gene will act as a normal gene. Let us see in detail.
Ways to insert the gene
There are indirect ways need to be followed to make a gene to function as if it is inserted directly does not function. Carrier also called as vector is used to deliver the gene. In the place of vectors, virus play the role as they are getting modified and hence people are not affected with new diseases when it is integrated into the chromosome of the human cell.
The vectors need to get injected to specific tissue in the body or outwardly patient’s cell is removed and exposed to the vector. In either of the ways need to be again returned to the patient. Successful treatment makes proper genes and genetic disorders get solved.
Gene therapy for treating cancer
Cancer is the dangerous disease and there are many ways to cure cancer including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. But cancerous cells in due course again spread and hence it is a deadly disease. Gene therapy is the best way discovered nowadays for treating cancer.
Let us see the basic fundamentals of cells. cells include packets of data in genes, created either from DNA or RNA. Sequence is there for DNA and if it is in the order, there will be no problem. But at the same time If there is disorder occurs in portion of the genes either turning or changing the position, cells lost their control and abnormal growth is seen which result in cancerous tumors. It can spread in mouth, breast, lung etc.,
Specialists in Gene therapy analyze the patient’s criticality first and follow the treatment procedures. One way is they replace missing or mutated genes into wholesome genes. Inserting totally new genes for fighting cancer, placing DNA into cancerous cells to undergo chemotherapy and radiation or injecting bad gene to destroy them etc., Mesothelioma type of cancers are not at all responded in formal therapies and hence one need to undergo gene therapy essentially. Need to have consultations with doctors to overcome their deadly disease.
Gene therapy importance
Doctors decide whether gene therapy is suitable by the following approaches. If genetic disorders are from mutations in one or more genes or whether a normal copy of the gene that is available in the patient is enough to fix the problems in the affected cells, then doctors determine that gene therapy will be more helpful rather than going for traditional methods.
Conclusion
Genetic engineering is a vast topic. Latest Science innovations in the field of genetic engineering yields for gene therapy. Doctors and scientists together working to find out whether gene therapy is the best suitable way for treating deadly diseases like cancer and others. Let us salute for the positive force of gene therapy.
Source:
http://www.biotechblog.org/entry/biotechnology-gene-therapy/
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December 2nd, 2012
Gene Patents Draw High Court Review in Biotechnology Test – Businessweek
By Dr. Matthew Watson
 Today's THV | Gene Patents Draw High Court Review in Biotechnology Test Businessweek The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to consider whether human genes can be patented, taking up an issue that has split the medical community and will shape the future of personalized health care and the biotechnology industry. The justices yesterday said ... US Supreme Court to Review Patents on Human GenesWall Street Journal Supremes to Decide Others Can Own Your GenesNational Review Online (blog) US top court to rule if companies can patent genesAFP Philadelphia Inquirer all 313 news articles » |
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December 2nd, 2012
DuBiotech: The Silicon Valley of Biotechnology – Genetic Engineering News
By Dr. Matthew Watson
Genetic Engineering News | DuBiotech: The Silicon Valley of Biotechnology Genetic Engineering News Ahmed Taha from DuBiotech, the Dubai Biotechnology & Research Park, has two questions for GEN readers: “Do you have a biotech idea that you'd like to develop rapidly, conveniently, and inexpensively?” Or alternatively, “Do you have an existing biotech ... |
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December 2nd, 2012
Six steps to fighting non-compliant cell therapy treatments. — The stuff of grey shades, spades, ivory towers and (ahem) balls.
By Dr. Matthew Watson
Today an article entitled "Professors Critique Stem Cell Medical Tourism" appeared in the online version of The Harvard Crimson summarizing a recent panel discussion hosted in least in part by Harvard Law School assistant professor I. Glenn Cohen and University of Alberta law professor Timothy Caulfield. The article concludes thusly:
The panelists emphasized that more accurate information should be provided to the public regarding stem cell treatments.
In addition to helping patients distinguish between compliant and non-compliant treatments (and providers) there are a lot of ways to help patients distinguish between non-compliant cell therapy treatments (and providers) which are more or less risky. Let me use examples.
In between - in my opinion - are clinics like Stem Cell Institute and StemCellMD.
For some, helping patients distinguish between the better and worst non-compliant clinics might involve a fair amount of nose-pinching but this is the equivalent of the methadone clinic for heroine addicts. By supporting the better of two evils we are not endorsing it as 'good', we are simply recognizing it is better.
6. Let's grow a pair and call a spade a spade. If a non-compliant clinic is providing treatments that we believe represent a high-risk to patient safety and the industry's credibility, let's have the b*lls to call them on it. They can't sue everyone. ___
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December 2nd, 2012
World Changing Ideas 2012 (preview)
By Dr. Matthew Watson
Scientists and engineers dream about big advances that could change the world, and then they try to create them. On the following pages, Scientific American reveals 10 innovations that could be game changers: an artificial alternative to DNA, oil that cleans water, pacemakers powered by our blood, and more. These are not pie-in-the-sky notions but practical breakthroughs that have been proved or prototyped and are poised to scale up greatly. Each has the potential to make what may now seem impossible possible. -- The Editors
http://rss.sciam.com/click.phdo?i=b2ba3706ed26d9143fea77a07b425555
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December 2nd, 2012
Stem Cell Board Members Lubin and Sheehy Honored
By Dr. Matthew Watson
A couple of members of the governing
board of the $3 billion California stem cell agency were honored for
their work this month.
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| Jeff Sheehy UCSF Photo |
communications manager and nationally known HIV/AIDS advocate, who
has served on the CIRM board since its inception. He was named by POZ
magazine as one of the top 100 “soldiers” in the fight against
HIV/AIDS.
Sheehy on the agency's blog yesterday. She said,
“Jeff once told me
that when he joined CIRM’s board eight years ago, he didn’t see a
role for stem cells in an HIV/AIDS treatment. Now, CIRM has committed
$40 million toward HIV/AIDS projects and two teams of researchers
from City
of Hope and UCLA are
working toward clinical trials.”
House to commemorate World AIDs day Dec. 1.
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| Bert Lubin Childrens Hospital Photo |
Childrens Hospital in Oakland, where he has worked since 1973, a
remarkable achievement in today's world of transitory employment. The
San Francisco Business Times named Lubin as the “most admiredCEO” in the San Francisco Bay Area. The newspaper said that since
he took charge at Childrens in 2009,
“He recruited a new senior management
team, chopped away at the pediatric hospital’s operating deficit
and worked to heal relationships with the local community and
governmental and political leaders that were deeply frayed...”
long volunteered at Childrens gives him high marks as well, citing
several encounters where he exceeded the usual CEO effort.
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uqpFc/~3/9b9s3mW2ebM/stem-cell-board-members-lubin-and.html
Stem Cell Therapy
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December 2nd, 2012
Diane Winokur, Veteran ALS Patient Advocate, Named to California Stem Cell Agency Board
By Dr. Matthew Watson
Longtime ALS patient advocate Diane
Winokur of San Francisco, who has lost two sons to the disease, has
been appointed to the governing board of the $3 billion California
stem cell agency.
Serrano Sewell, who resigned from the 29-member panel earlier this
year after serving since the agency's inception. CIRM has 10 patient advocates
on its board.
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| Diane Winokur Photo -- Legal Momentum |
She sat for five years on the governing board of the national ALS
advocacy group and currently serves on the board for the California
state group, the Golden West chapter. She also served for six years on the board of
trustees for the Sanford- Burnham Institute in La Jolla, which has received $37 million from the stem cell agency. She left Sanford in 2011.
CIRM board to successfully seek approval of an $18 million ALS grant
that was rejected by the agency's reviewers. Researcher Clive
Svendsen of Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles appealed the denial to the
full board and was supported in emotional testimony by other patient
advocates as well, including persons with the affliction.(See here for video of some of the testimony.)
million, including the Svendsen grant, for research directly related
to ALS.
West issued a press release Nov. 21, lauding the Winokur appointment
by California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom. The release quoted Lucie Bruijn,
chief scientist of The ALS Association, as saying,
"Her
contributions have been invaluable and she will be a tremendous asset
in moving the ALS research field forward through CIRM
funding."
on Winokur's appointment in addition to a press release. CIRM
Chairman J.T. Thomas said,
“Her knowledge, expertise and
leadership will be a tremendous addition to the ICOC (the stem cell
agency governing board) and help guide us in our work.”
Ca., described Winokur in a 2008 blog item as “small, elegant, full
of energy, an exclamation point of a person.”
(Editor's note: Based on information from CIRM and Golden West, an earlier version of this item incorrectly stated that Winokur is a current member of the Sanford-Burnham board.
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uqpFc/~3/dITcyP7WJbs/diane-winokur-veteran-als-patient.html
Stem Cell Therapy
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December 2nd, 2012
Knoepfler Award Update: More than a Baker’s Dozen Nominated
By Dr. Matthew Watson
As of this week, 14 persons have been
recommended for the Knoepfler “Stem Cell Person of the Year”
Award.
Knoepfler, the UC Davis stem cell scientist and blogger, who is
putting up $1,000 for the winner of the honor.
field. Risk-taking is one important criteria.
“It’s something that I’m hoping I
can do every year. It would also be a reward for risk taking,
creativity and be breaking with tradition and be something new in
that regard.”
attention outside of Knoepfler's blog. A few days after he introduced
the award on his blog, UC Davis decided to put out a press release and video on it. The California Stem Cell Report followed with an item. Then CIRM blogged it as well.
about the award in the mainstream media, but things could change.
Source:Stem Cell Therapy
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December 2nd, 2012