Geron Corp of Menlo Park, California finally won approval from U.S Federal Regulators to start the first trial of an experimental therapy derived from Human Embryonic stem cells (hESC) in patients with acute spinal cord injury . Geron will inject the cells into the spinal cords of 10 newly injured patients. At this point Geron's treatment only has a chance of success if it is administered within a few weeks after the spinal injury.
GRNOPC1, Geron's lead hESC-based therapeutic candidate, contains hESC-derived oligodendrocyte progenitor cells that have demonstrated remyelinating and nerve growth stimulating properties leading to restoration of function in animal models of acute spinal cord injury.
The ultimate goal for the use of GRNOPC1 is to achieve restoration of spinal cord function by the injection of hESC-derived oligodendrocyte progenitor cells directly into the lesion site of the patient's injured spinal cord.
Coming days after President' Obama's inauguration let us hope that this signals the new administration's position on Science!
Saturday, January 24, 2009
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UK seems to be emerging as a important player in regenerative medicine. A Glasgow team is to launch a major trial to assess whether stem cells can be used to treat stroke patients.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7795586.stm
What is more interesting is that Reneuron - the company which developed the cells,first applied to begin trials in the US two years ago.
But it did not get the go-ahead from the US Food and Drug Administration.
This broadens the boundaries of the playing field.
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