Stem cells

Quell Therapeutics Appoints Tracey Lodie, Ph.D., as Chief Scientific Officer

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, July 29, 2021

LONDON and BOSTON, July 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Quell Therapeutics Ltd ("Quell"), the world leader in developing engineered T-regulatory (Treg) cell therapies for serious medical conditions driven by the immune system, announces the appointment of Tracey Lodie, Ph.D., as Chief Scientific Officer. Dr. Lodie brings to Quell more than 20 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry focused on the discovery and development of cell therapies and novel biologics in the areas of autoimmunity, transplant biology and immune-oncology.

Key Points: 
  • "We are delighted to welcome Tracey to Quell.
  • She brings impressive drug discovery experience working with a wide range of cell therapy platforms, including induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), Treg and T-effector cells and genetic engineering," said Iain McGill, Chief Executive Officer of Quell Therapeutics.
  • "We believe that Tracey's extensive technical and therapeutic expertise enhances our industry leading engineered Treg cell therapy development capabilities and reinforces our proven operational competency.
  • Quell is also advancing additional programs in neuroinflammatory and autoimmune diseases.

Tempus Unveils Its Scalable Tumor Organoid Screening Platform In Cell Reports Study

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, July 28, 2021

Tempus , a leader in artificial intelligence and precision medicine, today announced publication of a study outlining the precision medicine applications for its patient-derived tumor organoid (TO) platform.

Key Points: 
  • Tempus , a leader in artificial intelligence and precision medicine, today announced publication of a study outlining the precision medicine applications for its patient-derived tumor organoid (TO) platform.
  • Given the scale of Tempus organoid program, it now houses one of the largest repositories of these models in the world.
  • Overall, the Tempus organoids accurately represented patients tumor DNA mutational profiles, RNA expression, and structural genomic features.
  • Lastly, the study presents a neural network-based, universal solid tumor therapeutic profiling assay predicting organoid viability from simple light microscopy, reducing cost and time in high-throughput screening.

Marker Therapeutics Announces Opening of New cGMP Manufacturing Facility

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, July 28, 2021

"We are excited to open Marker's new in-house cGMP manufacturing facility and potentially bring our therapies to the affected patient communities," said Anthony H. Kim, Chief Financial Officer ofMarker Therapeutics.

Key Points: 
  • "We are excited to open Marker's new in-house cGMP manufacturing facility and potentially bring our therapies to the affected patient communities," said Anthony H. Kim, Chief Financial Officer ofMarker Therapeutics.
  • "Cell therapy manufacturing is a complex science and is a competitive advantage for Marker.
  • Building our own cGMP manufacturing facility was a strategic goal for Marker to ensure broad access to our therapies while reducing overall manufacturing costs."
  • The Company employed modular processes to build its cGMP manufacturing facility at its 48,500 square foot location.

Southern California StemCyte Inc. Receives AABB Reaccreditation

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, July 27, 2021

BALDWIN PARK, Calif., July 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern California cord blood therapeutics company StemCyte Inc. has received reaccreditation by AABB. Since 2003, StemCyte has continuously held AABB accreditation, according to Medical Director Lawrence D. Petz, MD. During this recent accreditation cycle, the company received zero nonconformances.

Key Points: 
  • BALDWIN PARK, Calif., July 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern California cord blood therapeutics company StemCyte Inc. has received reaccreditation by AABB.
  • Since 2003, StemCyte has continuously held AABB accreditation, according to Medical Director Lawrence D. Petz, MD.
  • "We are very pleased to have received no nonconformances during our AABB assessment for reaccreditation," said StemCyte President and Chairman Jonas Wang, PhD.
  • With this most recent successful reaccreditation by AABB, StemCyte is well positioned to continue its mission through continuous improvement efforts, by evolving organically into areas of regenerative medicine research, and by advancing their ongoing work on clinical trials for spinal cord injury, acute stroke, and COVID-19.

FDA Gives Green Light for Multiple Sclerosis Stem Cell Trial

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, July 27, 2021

Non-profit research organization Hope Biosciences Stem Cell Research Foundation (HBSCRF) has received FDA authorization for a randomized, double-blind, single center, Phase II clinical trial to assess the efficacy of multiple intravenous infusions of autologous adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells in improving symptoms and quality of life in patients with mild-to-moderate multiple sclerosis (MS).

Key Points: 
  • Non-profit research organization Hope Biosciences Stem Cell Research Foundation (HBSCRF) has received FDA authorization for a randomized, double-blind, single center, Phase II clinical trial to assess the efficacy of multiple intravenous infusions of autologous adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells in improving symptoms and quality of life in patients with mild-to-moderate multiple sclerosis (MS).
  • A single infusion in the treatment group consists of 200 million stem cells, or approximately 1.2 billion stem cells per patient over the course of study.
  • HBSCRF remains the only organization globally to administer pure, fresh mesenchymal stem cells, an adult stem cell harvested from fat, in such high quantities over repeat treatments.
  • Clinical trial authorizations encompass COVID-19 prevention and treatment , traumatic brain injury , Parkinsons disease , and multiple sclerosis.

Singapore cord blood bank Cryoviva establishes footprint in the UAE

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, July 27, 2021

Many families in the UAE have opted to store their baby's cord blood in Cryoviva's facility in Singapore.

Key Points: 
  • Many families in the UAE have opted to store their baby's cord blood in Cryoviva's facility in Singapore.
  • Singapore, July 27, 2021 - (ACN Newswire) - Family cord blood bank Cryoviva Singapore is pleased to announce that it has made a successful foray into the UAE market in line with its strategic growth plans.
  • After 7 years of serving young families in Singapore, the expansion into Dubai and the other Emirates in the UAE is an important milestone for Cryoviva.
  • Established in 2014, Cryoviva (https://cryoviva.com.sg) is a well-regarded family cord blood bank in Singapore.

CareDx Launches ACROBAT Study to Potentially Change Care Paradigm for Stem Cell Transplant Patients

Retrieved on: 
Monday, July 26, 2021

The ACROBAT study is a prospective, multicenter, observational cohort study to evaluate the use of AlloHeme, a microchimerism tool to predict post-transplant relapse in patients with allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplants (HCT), also known as bone marrow or stem cell transplants.

Key Points: 
  • The ACROBAT study is a prospective, multicenter, observational cohort study to evaluate the use of AlloHeme, a microchimerism tool to predict post-transplant relapse in patients with allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplants (HCT), also known as bone marrow or stem cell transplants.
  • AlloHeme is an innovative testing solution that utilizes Next-Generation Sequencing technology to measure the relative amount of donor and recipient cells after a stem cell transplant.
  • Monitoring for changes in chimerism over time using AlloHeme has the potential to significantly change patient surveillance and care in the underserved HCT patient population.
  • CareDx has led the way in improving the standards of care in solid organ transplant and cell therapy monitoring, and now we enter into the stem cell transplant field with this first patient enrolled in ACROBAT, said Reg Seeto, CEO and President of CareDx.

InGeneron Reports First-In-Human Microscopic Evidence of Adult Tendon Regeneration Following Autologous Stem Cell Treatment

Retrieved on: 
Monday, July 26, 2021

This newly-released research paper, titled First Immunohistochemical Evidence of Human Tendon Repair Following Stem Cell Injection: A Case Report and Review of Literature , was published in the World Journal of Stem Cells on July 23, 2021 (DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4252/wjsc.v13.i7.944 ).

Key Points: 
  • This newly-released research paper, titled First Immunohistochemical Evidence of Human Tendon Repair Following Stem Cell Injection: A Case Report and Review of Literature , was published in the World Journal of Stem Cells on July 23, 2021 (DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4252/wjsc.v13.i7.944 ).
  • The analysis strongly indicates regenerative healing of the tendon, resulting from transformation of UA-ADRCs into new tendon tissue.
  • Importantly, the investigated tendon showed evidence of histological regeneration without scar formation, a finding indicating significant advantages over existing treatments options.
  • The microscopic images of the tendon treated with stem cells clearly demonstrate that a different type of healing had taken place.

BrainStorm to Announce Second Quarter Financial Results and Provide a Corporate Update

Retrieved on: 
Monday, July 26, 2021

The NurOwn technology platform (autologous MSC-NTF cells) represents a promising investigational therapeutic approach to targeting disease pathways important in neurodegenerative disorders.

Key Points: 
  • The NurOwn technology platform (autologous MSC-NTF cells) represents a promising investigational therapeutic approach to targeting disease pathways important in neurodegenerative disorders.
  • MSC-NTF cells are produced from autologous, bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) that have been expanded and differentiated ex vivo.
  • About BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc.
    BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc. is a leading developer of innovative autologous adult stem cell therapeutics for debilitating neurodegenerative diseases.
  • BrainStorm completed under an investigational new drug application a Phase 2 open-label multicenter trial (NCT03799718) of autologous MSC-NTF cells in progressive multiple sclerosis (MS).

AgeX Therapeutics and LyGenesis Terminate Merger Negotiations

Retrieved on: 
Friday, July 23, 2021

AgeX Therapeutics, Inc. (AgeX; NYSE American: AGE), a biotechnology company developing therapeutics for human aging and cell regeneration, and LyGenesis, Inc. (LyGenesis), a privately held biotechnology company developing cell therapies that enable organ regeneration, announced today that they have discontinued negotiations for a merger agreement.

Key Points: 
  • AgeX Therapeutics, Inc. (AgeX; NYSE American: AGE), a biotechnology company developing therapeutics for human aging and cell regeneration, and LyGenesis, Inc. (LyGenesis), a privately held biotechnology company developing cell therapies that enable organ regeneration, announced today that they have discontinued negotiations for a merger agreement.
  • AgeX remains committed to creating shareholder value through third-party collaborations and licensing agreements for its core technologies UniverCyte and PureStem, and its cell therapy programs, including AGEX-VASC1 and AGEX-BAT1.
  • AgeX Therapeutics, Inc. is focused on developing and commercializing innovative therapeutics to treat human diseases to increase healthspan and combat the effects of aging.
  • AgeX has two preclinical cell therapy programs: AGEX-VASC1 (vascular progenitor cells) for tissue ischemia and AGEX-BAT1 (brown fat cells) for Type II diabetes.