Search Results for: stem cell biotech

Grading my stem cell predictions for 2016: how’d I do?

stem-cell-predictions

Below are the 2016 stem cell predictions I made last year and their status now color-coded near year’s end. Green is right, orange is mixed bag, and red is flat out wrong. Overall, I did better than most past years with only having entirely blown it on four. Stay tuned later this week for my 2017 predictions,

Grading my stem cell predictions for 2016: how’d I do? Read More »

Asterias interview: stem cell spinal cord injury trials advance

Asterias

Recently I had the opportunity to talk with the leadership of Asterias, a California biotech doing exciting clinical research using stem cells as the basis for treatment of spinal cord injury. The interview covers the past (Geron patients), present, and future. I spoke with Asterias President and CEO Stephen Cartt and CMO Edward Wirth. How

Asterias interview: stem cell spinal cord injury trials advance Read More »

20 Nominees for Stem Cell Person of the Year 2016 Award

Stem-cell-person-of-the-year-award

I received a score of great nominations for the Stem Cell Person of the Year 2016 Award and have briefly described the twenty nominees below. The point of the award is to honor the top positive stem cell leader who specifically thinks outside the box and takes risks. I’ve started an on-line vote where you can vote once per day for

20 Nominees for Stem Cell Person of the Year 2016 Award Read More »

Perspectives on Cures Act stem cell provisions possible benefits & risks

EnergyCommerceLogo_ORANGE-e1480522761962

The 21st Century Cures Act has some important provisions that would impact the stem cell and regenerative medicine field.  What is driving these efforts is a widespread sense that the status quo of regenerative medicine oversight isn’t working very well. I’m talking with key stakeholders and still trying to sort out my thoughts on the

Perspectives on Cures Act stem cell provisions possible benefits & risks Read More »

REGROW Act, Mark Kirk Lobbying & Contributions Yield Stem Cell Surprises

Center-for-Responsive-Politics

The money behind a piece of legislation can provide unique insights into the back story and this is definitely true for the REGROW Act that would reduce FDA oversight of the investigational use of stem cells in patients. Senator Mark Kirk of Illinois, who is facing probable defeat next week in his reelection bid according to

REGROW Act, Mark Kirk Lobbying & Contributions Yield Stem Cell Surprises Read More »

Samantha Yammine: Multiple filters for stem cell research at Canadian stem cell conference

stem-cell-pictures

By Samantha Yammine, PhD Candidate in Derek van der Kooy’s lab at the University of Toronto. See tweets live from #TMM2016 via @SamanthaZY here. Last week, 430 Canadian scientists, trainees, industry professionals, science communicators and international guests gathered in the picturesque ski town of Whistler, British Columbia for the annual Till & McCulloch meeting (TMM).

Samantha Yammine: Multiple filters for stem cell research at Canadian stem cell conference Read More »

Rick Perry’s Paid Board Position at Controversial Stem Cell Clinic Celltex

Perry-Scripps

If you rewind the stem cell clock several years, the big news in the stem cell clinic arena was dominated for quite some time by a single stem cell clinic called Celltex in Texas in part because their most famous customer was Governor (at that time) Rick Perry. You can read the many past posts I’ve

Rick Perry’s Paid Board Position at Controversial Stem Cell Clinic Celltex Read More »

South Africa grapples with “illegal” stem cell experiment scandal

Dr.-Wian-Stander

South Africa is facing a stem cell scandal related to what a health policy news outlet called Spotlight there characterizes as illegal experiments by ReGenesis Biotechnologies, the company at the heart of the controversy. It had a contract with a governmental health provider agency, now apparently suspended. The report begins this way: “The Medicines Control Council

South Africa grapples with “illegal” stem cell experiment scandal Read More »