The iPS cell field has run fast and furious over the past 6 years reaching a big milestone surprisingly quickly on Monday with Shinya Yamanaka winning the Nobel Prize. But is the field going too fast? In August I argued that iPS cells are not quite ready for primetime (i.e. clinical trial studies). Now in …
Are iPS cells being rushed to the clinic or has their time come? Read More »
One of the questions I get asked most often is whether induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) are well on their way to replacing ES (embryonic stem) cells. My answer? No. Not yet. iPS cells are great, but the original notion pushed by some that iPS cells would somehow replace ES cells, which would be …
Primary challenges facing iPS cells in late 2012 Read More »
As I was compiling a list of the upcoming stem cell meetings the other day I got to thinking about the different kinds of stem cell meetings and how diverse they are. Some didactic in a stodgy kind of way, while others are just as educational and instructive, but in a more enjoyable format. Some …
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 U.S. alone, COPD costs the country almost $50 billion a year not to mention untold suffering. Most of us know someone who has COPD. COPD is an umbrella term that …
Stem cells for COPD including emphysema: are we there yet? Read More »
The Texas Tribune held a liveblog regarding Health & Human Services at festival they were sponsoring. A particularly testy, interesting exchange on stem cells occurred (see starting around 2:51PM) involving Andrea Ferrenz of Celltex and Dr. Leigh Turner of University of Minnesota as well as Texas State Rep. Rick Hardcastle and David Bales of Texans …
Stem cell shootout at the Texas Trib Festival including Celltex Read More »
Advanced Cell Technology (ACT; stock symbol ACTC) announced that it has secured $35 million in funding from investment company, Lincoln Park Capital. The press release quotes CEO Gary Rabin: “We are most pleased about this financing agreement, as it has a number of notable benefits for the company,” commented Gary Rabin, chairman and CEO of …
Stem Cell Biotech Advanced Cell Technology (ACT) gets $35 million Read More »
Next month will be the 1st Houston Stem Cell Summit organized by Robin Young, who also organizes the New York Stem Cell Summit. I’ve been a bit tough on this meeting for a perceived lack of diversity in their program of speakers. I interviewed Robin Young (RY) about the meeting and found his answers quite interesting …
Intriguing interview with Robin Young, Organizer of Houston Stem Cell Summit Read More »
Next month there is going to be a new stem cell meeting taking place. The 1st Annual Houston Stem Cell Summit. The primary sponsor is Celltex. I’d encourage everyone to go, but I’m not so sure it’d be worth it. Why? I’m always glad to see another stem cell meeting and this one is surely unique in …
Houston stem cell meeting lacks diversity & risks falling to groupthink Read More »
I love stem cells, but I have to admit bionics is totally amazing as well. Both hold great promise for fixing up human beings as we injured or age. Today a major advance in vision correction via bionics was announced here at UC Davis that has really caught my attention. I was not involved in …
Bionic eye here at UC Davis holds great promise for restoring vision Read More »
There is enormous interest in point-of-care for-profit stem cell commercialization by relatively small clinics hoping to hit it big here in the U.S. Some big investors have poured millions into these clinics that are treating patients with adult stem cell therapies. As I’ve talked with some of these folks they expect this market to grow dramatically …
Surprising main obstacle to point-of-care stem cell commercialization by small clinics Read More »