In a shocker, Japan’s 2nd largest newspaper, Asahi Shimbun, published an editorial yesterday saying that iPS cells are being pushed too fast to the clinic for economic reasons. The piece was bluntly entitled “Too much of a rush for clinical trials with iPS cells”. Asahi Shimbun, with a circulation of 10 million, is taking a bold …
Asahi Shimbun Editorial: iPS Cells Rushed For Economic Reasons Read More »
About a year ago, I heard from multiple credible sources that there were ongoing federal probes into potential criminal activities related to bogus or dangerously noncompliant stem cell medical interventions, which could lead to prison time. Since then it has been relatively quiet….that is until the last couple months when again I am hearing from …
What would federal prison be like for a non-compliant stem cell doc? Read More »
What the heck is going on with stem cells in the Philippines lately? It seems like a wild, stormy mixture of supposed good and very bad news streaming out of that country all at once. Many questions remain both on the alleged upside and the down side. Do the reported deaths of 3 politicians really have …
It was my pleasure recently to talk at length with Dr. Michael West, CEO of the Stem Cell Biotech, BioTime (BTX). West has been at the helm of BioTime since 2007 and is a true pioneer in the stem cell field. He founded Geron (GERN) and was a top leader at Advanced Cell Technology (ACT; stock …
Interview with BioTime CEO Michael West Part 1: a little stem cell history Read More »
What really happened at XCell-Center in Germany, formerly the largest stem cell clinic in Europe? A baby died after receiving treatment there. Why? Was the death in any way connected to stem cells? (update: note that since post originally went up, quite a few more patient deaths both a clinics and in clinical trials have …
Commenter Claims XCell-Center Stem Cell Clinic Got a Bad Rap, Provides New Details Read More »
The Philippines Medical Association (PMA) is reportedly (article from ABS-CBN News) investigating the recent deaths of 3 prominent politicians due to stem cell therapies via stem cell tourism in Germany at an as yet unidentified clinic. The names of the politicians are unknown, but strangely enough today there’s another separate article on stem cells from the Philippine …
Philippines Investigating 3 Politician Deaths Allegedly From Stem Cells in Germany Read More »
In 2012 there was a lot of grumbling about that year’s Annual ISSCR Meeting in Japan. If fact in last year’s polling only about 33% of people collectively felt positive about the meeting and by the far the top answer for rating the 2012 ISSCR Annual Meeting was “So so” at 43%. What about this …
Polling: ISSCR 2013 meeting clearly better than last year’s Read More »
Where do things stand today for using stem cells to treat COPD? Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a relatively common, often debilitating illness, which has a major impact on the people of the world. In the US alone, COPD costs the country almost $50 billion a year not to mention untold suffering. Most of …
IntelliCell (SVFC) is a stem cell company that does cosmetic stem cell procedures. They’ve had a number of challenges of late including an FDA warning letter about a year ago and apparent financial issues manifesting in lawsuits. Now the company itself, perhaps trying to get ahead of the news, issued a press release (PR) saying they …
Intellicell Inspected By FDA: What Does It Mean? Read More »
By Dr. Susan Lim A record 4100 delegates attended the 11th Annual Meeting of the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR), held at the Convention and Exhibition Center in Boston from 12-15 June 2013. Co-sponsored by the Harvard Stem Cell Institute, the Meeting featured 7 Plenary sessions including a Presidential Symposium, 20 concurrent scientific …
Delightful overview of ISSCR 2013 by guest blogger Dr. Susan Lim Read More »