Search Results for: stem cell biotech

Guest Post by Chris Scott–The Great CRISPR Controversy: What’s Next?

CRISPR-primates

A decade ago I wrote an article in the journal Nature Biotechnology about the rise of a new gene editing technology called zinc finger nucleases (ZNF). It was one of those “drumbeat” discoveries: at the time, my sense was it would revolutionize how we deliver genes to cells and tissues, and profoundly change the way …

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Was Fujifilm CDI acquisition a good move by the companies?

Fujifilm-Logo

The big stem cell news already this week is the acquisition by Fujifilm of Cellular Dynamics International (CDI) for a whopping $307 million dollars or about $16.50 per CDI share. You can read the press release here. Update: The entity is now known as Fujifilm Cellular Dynamics. It was less than two years ago that CDI did …

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ARM Asks FDA for Clarification on Draft Guidance on Minimal Manipulation

Alliance-for-Regenerative-Medicine

In the last few months the FDA has taken steps toward crystalizing regulatory oversight of stem cell and more broadly cell and tissue-based therapies. These steps come in the form of several draft guidances  (see here, here, and here) . The Alliance for Regenerative Medicine (ARM) has responded to the draft guidance on Minimal Manipulation. For example, ARM has …

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ViaCyte CEO Laikind Interview: Trial Update, Melton, & Future

VC-01-post-implant-final1-e1503703572933, viacyte

It’s been exciting to watch the recent developments in using stem cells as the basis for treatments for Type I Diabetes. One of the major players in this arena is the privately-held company, ViaCyte. In this post, I interview ViaCyte President and CEO, Paul Laikind. The topics include their VC-01 product, the Encaptra device, an update on …

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Cloning Factory in China Has Familiar Partner: Hwang Woo-Suk

cloned-babies

Cloning of animals is becoming a big, global business, and Hwang Woo-Suk is a major player here. Hwang Woo-Suk and animal cloning It turns out that this reproductive cloning of animals goes well beyond making duplicates of pets for sentimental customers at $100,000 a copy. Cloning of livestock by agribusinesses is becoming fairly common. Some …

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Clinicaltrials.gov Mission At Risk From Proliferating For-Profit Trials

slickstem

It’s hard to even imagine the world of investigative medicine without the wonderful resource of Clinicaltrials.gov, the global hub for clinical trial listings. I recently interviewed the Director of Clinicaltrials.gov, Dr. Deborah Zarin here, which is a fascinating read. As great as Clinicaltrials.gov is as a resource, unfortunately it faces a new, rapidly growing problem that is a serious …

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CIRM 2.0 Should Include Bridges Training Program

CIRM-2.0

The California Stem Cell Agency CIRM seems to be in budget cutting mode these days, which from a general perspective makes sense as CIRM seeks to continue operating on its remaining funding through a longer period of time as far out as to 2020. However, not all cuts are necessarily positive. For example, CIRM reportedly (note: many …

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