Tuesday, May 31, 2011

ViaCyte progresses toward trials in stem cell diabetes treatment

The Los Angeles Times provides us with an update on ViaCyte, a San Diego-based company that is looking to make the insulin shot a relic of the past for Type 1 diabetes patients. It hopes to replace the shot with implants filled with insulin-producing pancreatic cells. And the company has its own special recipe to make immature pancreatic cells out of embryonic stem cells.

FierceBiotechResearch first took a look at ViaCyte a little less than a year ago. ViaCyte tells the LA Times that it has successfully "cured" diabetes in hundreds of fortunate mice and is ready to give it all a go on humans by 2013 in trials pushed along in part by $26 million in grants and loans from California's Institute of Regenerative Medicine (CIRM). One problem--among many--with stem cell treatments is the body's immune system rejecting them. ViaCyte says it has attacked this problem by keeping the warring parties separated with a thin membrane envelope that allows sugar in and insulin out. The cells remain safely wrapped in the envelope and away from immune-system cells.

"The safety factor is pretty high," Alan Trounson, president of CIRM, says, as quoted by the LA Times. Essentially, says company director Eugene Brandon, ViaCyte is "creating a replacement pancreas."

The article points out that ViaCyte is in the middle of a patent dispute over part of the stem cell procedure with Geron Corp. of Menlo Park, CA. Still, the company says, the trials will go forward irrespective of the outcome of the litigation.

- read the full story in the Los Angeles Times

Related Articles:
New stem cell strategy cures diabetes in mice
ViaCyte wins kudos for ESC program to treat diabetes

Stem Cells type I diabetes ViaCyte


--Ankur

RegenMD - Opportunities for Public Comment on Nominees for CIRM Chair

     
    RegenMD    
   
Opportunities for Public Comment on Nominees for CIRM Chair
May 30, 2011 at 5:45 PM
 
   
   
Good News for CIRM and Not-So-Good News
May 30, 2011 at 8:24 AM
 
   
   
New anti-wrinkle biomaterial mimics human tissue
May 30, 2011 at 8:16 AM
 
Washington, May 30 (IANS) In a breakthrough in tissue engineering, scientists have developed a new biomaterial designed for repairing damaged human tissue, which doesn't wrinkle up when it is stretched and closely mimics the properties of native human ...
See all stories on this topic »
   
   
CIRM's Klein Honored by Scientists
May 30, 2011 at 6:06 AM
 
   
   
IOM Study of CIRM: Panel to be Appointed in Fall
May 30, 2011 at 4:00 AM
 
   
     
 
This email was sent to agupta1213+termsc@gmail.com.
Delivered by Feed My Inbox
PO Box 682532 Franklin, TN 37068
Account Login
Unsubscribe Here Feed My Inbox
 
     

5/31 TE-RegenMed-StemCell feed

     
    TE-RegenMed-StemCell feed    
   
Opportunities for Public Comment on Nominees for CIRM Chair
May 31, 2011 at 12:45 AM
 
Directors of the California stem cell agency are planning at least three public meetings prior to making their decision on cardiologist Frank Litvack or bond financier Jonathan Thomas to replace outgoing chairman Robert Klein at the end of June.

The public will have a chance to weigh in with comments at all of the meetings. Two sessions have telephonic locations throughout the state, including
   
   
Good News for CIRM and Not-So-Good News
May 30, 2011 at 3:24 PM
 
The $3 billion California stem cell agency made the papers this weekend in Los Angeles and San Francisco.

One story dealt with research funded by CIRM, the other with selection of its next chairman.

The story by freelance writer Amber Dance in the Los Angeles Times was the sort of coverage that CIRM needs more of if it is to win approval of the possible, new $5 billion bond measure touted by
   
   
CIRM's Klein Honored by Scientists
May 30, 2011 at 1:06 PM
 
The International Society for Stem Cell Research announced last week that it is making its first ever public service award to Robert Klein, the outgoing chairman of the $3 billion California stem cell agency.

In a news release, the scientific group cited Klein "for his outstanding contribution of public service to the field of stem cell research and regenerative medicine."

The ISSCR said,
"
   
   
IOM Study of CIRM: Panel to be Appointed in Fall
May 30, 2011 at 11:00 AM
 
The Institute of Medicine study of the $3 billion California stem cell agency begins in July but the full IOM committee is not expected to be appointed until next fall.

Responding to an inquiry from the California Stem Cell Report, Adrienne Stith Butler, study director for the $700,000 CIRM-financed project, said that the IOM will make information about the process available on the Internet in
   
     
 
This email was sent to regenmd@gmail.com.
Delivered by Feed My Inbox
PO Box 682532 Franklin, TN 37068
Account Login
Unsubscribe Here Feed My Inbox