After a couple of years blogging about stem cells here, I decided to direct some of my writing effort toward a book on stem cells. I started this project with the publisher last summer and I am happy to report that the book should be coming out later this year some time. I just sent …
Below are links to specific court documents and filings in stem cell-related legal proceedings. (I’ve also placed in parentheses links to my posts/analysis on these). Enjoy, especially you lawyers and investors. It’s a work in progress so expect more cases and documents to appear. In fact, if you have suggested additions please add them (plus …
Over the last few weeks, I have enjoyed talking with and interviewing Dr. Allan Wu, of The Morrow Institute on stem cell cosmetic procedures. I was impressed greatly by his talk at the World Stem Cell Summit last year. Dr. Wu is a fellowship trained Surgical Molecular Biologist with a background in Molecular Embryology and a board …
Interview with Regenerative Surgeon, Dr. Allan Wu Read More »
It is always exciting when a biomedical technology as revolutionary as iPS cells is on the cusp of being used in patients for the first time. In the last few days stories have reported about how a proposed clinical trial based on iPS cells has completed several regulatory steps and is closer to starting. This …
A big issue in the stem cell field is that firms increasingly are doing business in multiple countries. Associated with the increasingly international nature of the stem cell for-profit industry are emerging legal and ethical issues related to the transport of stem cell-based biological drugs across international borders. Think you can just FedEx human stem …
RNL Bio has been accused of allegedly smuggling stem cells out of Korea to treat patients in Japan and China without going through customs. But there is more trouble. RNL Bio faces additional challenges as reportedly (AsiaOne News) the Korean Government is weighing whether to charge RNL criminally based on their stem cell treatments being illegal …
Here on The Niche I’m giving out a Stem Cell Person of the Year Award for 2012 along with all my other annual awards (e.g. best stem cell journal, paper, blog, comic, activist, etc). 2020 update: you can see future winners of the award here. The Person of the Year winner will get recognition for …
Stem Cell Person of the Year Finalists: time to vote Read More »
Advanced Cell Technology (ACT) is well into clinical trials for macular degeneration (the leading cause of blindness) using human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-based retinal pigmented epithelial cells (RPE). To date, the trials suggest the products are safe. Efficacy? We don’t know. I am cautiously hopeful, but it is frustrating to know that most clinical trials …
One of the most exciting types of stem cells are mesenchymal stem cells or MSCs. Although there is some debate about these cells (e.g. I once heard Irv Weissman say at a meeting he wasn’t sure they really existed as such), a consensus would seem to be that they have great potential medical potential. Perhaps …
Mapping global trends in MSC & stem cell clinical trials: unexpected findings Read More »
I’ve asked Celltex a few questions about the lawsuits between it and RNL Bio/Biostar. I appreciate their willingness to engage on this. Note, I’m also hoping to obtain contact information for RNL Bio/Biostar to ask them some questions too. Below are my questions and the Celltex answers, hopefully part 1 of 2 parts with the 2nd …
Q & A with Celltex on lawsuits between it and RNL Bio/Biostar: part 1 Read More »