There has been a sizable downturn for the CRISPR therapy biotech arena. Firms like Editas, Verve, Intellia, and even CRISPR Therapeutics, which has garnered an FDA approval, have had struggles recently. It feels like a disconnect here in a way because overall gene editing and gene therapy have never seemed more promising. But being a […]
I recently stumbled on something called Helixa Cruises. It kind of blew my mind and not in a good way. As I’ve said before, I sometimes think that the stem cell arena can no longer shock me, but big surprises are still out there and new ones emerge. The other day I had this funny
Unproven stem cells & CRISPR cruises with Helixa Cruises? Read More »
I recently wrote about the upbeat early reports from two allogeneic trials of stem cells for Parkinson’s. Now there’s additional encouraging early news on this front but using patients’ own cells. This is one of the most promising areas of regenerative medicine. Stem cells for Parkinson’s: Aspen Neuroscience upbeat early data California biotech Aspen Neuroscience
A risky new Florida stem cell law is likely to come into effect in a matter of weeks as the state senate and house both unanimously passed versions of their respective stem cell bills. I imagine that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis will sign it. It will be effective July 1, opening the door to unproven
Upcoming new Florida stem cell law risks far more consumer harm in that state Read More »
It was another crazy week for me with tons of grant work, but news and research in the regenerative medicine world keep on popping up including a paper on MSCs for MS. I’ve realized that even when I’m trying to take a short break, I often see science and signs of stem cells popping up
Weekly reads: stem cells everywhere, MSCs for MS?, nanostickers, Makary update Read More »
The FDA has a new CBER Director Dr. Vinay Prasad. CBER is the FDA’s biologics branch that handles things like cell therapies and vaccines. The branch has been in near-constant upheaval this year. For a time, Scott Steele was acting CBER Director. It wasn’t clear if he was there in a temporary capacity or would
FDA critic Vinay Prasad to run CBER: more politics than experience? Read More »
What are pericytes? What about brain pericytes? How are they different than brain parasites? Pericytes on the brain Someone once asked me my favorite type of cell. As a cell biologist, I easily can’t pick just one. It’s like asking a parent to pick their favorite child. However, I will say that pericytes and microglia
Readers of The Niche will probably recall that I’ve been critical of Google Search on stem cells. The search engine giant does unintended promotion of unproven stem cells and the clinics that sell them, like a Ukrainian clinic whose website Google still seems to view as the world’s expert on stem cells for autism, which,
Google’s Gemini AI schools Google Search on its risky stem cell results Read More »
Stem cells can be serious business, but sometimes stories come along that are just fun like a lady running a marathon dressed as a stem cell. How cool is this: “Louise Cato from Somerset is doing the run to raise money for the charity Anthony Nolan, after her dad had a bone marrow transplant over
Weekly reads: stem cell marathon, Ray Therapeutics, stem cells making you fat? Read More »
The Trump Administration just quickly gutted the FDA including key leadership. What is going to be the impact of this sudden purge? Former Commissioner Robert Califf recently said it is the end of the FDA as we’ve known it. Those are dramatic words, but they seem on the money to me. As a biomedical scientist
Why the FDA & CBER leadership purge will be so bad for biotech Read More »