Trials of embryonic stem cells to launch in China

Jason Lee/Reuters In the next few months, surgeons in the Chinese city of Zhengzhou will carefully drill through the skulls of people with Parkinson’s disease and inject 4 million immature neurons derived from human embryonic stem cells into their brains. Then they will patch the patients up, send them home and wait.

Congratulations to GForce-PD member Malin Parmar on being a elected into the 2016 class of NYSCF Robertson Investigators

NYSCF Announces the Six Members of the 2016 Class of NYSCF – Robertson Investigators

NYSCF announced the 2016 class of NYSCF – Robertson Investigators, welcoming six of the most talented stem cell researchers and neuroscientists…

Stem cell researcher from Lund University receives the Fernström Prize

Is it possible to convert a patient’s own skin cells into functioning nerve cells? Or insert

Boom in unproven cell therapies intensifies regulatory debate

Steve Gschmeissner/SPL Thomas Albini met his first patient blinded by a stem-cell ‘treatment’ last year. The elderly woman, who had macular degeneration, thought she was paying to participate in a clinical trial that would save her sight by injecting stem cells into both eyes. Instead, it left her legally blind.

Another way to dial back stem cell hype (but not hope): Put a dollar figure on it

In an effort to reign in the hype surrounding stem cell research that has led to a proliferation of unapproved and potentially dangerous stem cell therapies, the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) recently released updated guidelines outlining conduct for stem cell researchers that, for the first time, included communications activities.

StemCells, Inc. Announces Termination of Phase II Pathway Study Following Review of Data

NEWARK, Calif., May 31, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — StemCells, Inc. (NASDAQ: STEM) (the “Company”) today announced its decision to terminate the Company’s Phase II Pathway Study in spinal cord injury following an in-depth review of data from the study and after obtaining the concurrence of the study’s Interim Analysis Data Monitoring Committee (the “IA-DMC”).

National Stem Cell Foundation and Michael J. Fox Foundation Partner to Support Parkinson’s Cell Replacement Therapy

LOUISVILLE and NEW YORK, May 25, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The National Stem Cell Foundation (NSCF) and The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) have announced a partnership to fund development of a cutting-edge therapy to replace the dopamine neurons that degenerate in Parkinson’s disease, the second most common brain disease after Alzheimer’s.

Asterias Biotherapeutics Announces Positive New Long-Term Follow-Up Results for AST-OPC1

Data Included in Newly Submitted Patent Application for AST-OPC1- FREMONT, Calif. May 24, 2016 – Asterias Biotherapeutics, Inc. (NYSE MKT: AST), a biotechnology company with three clinical-stage development programs focused on the emerging field of regenerative medicine, today announced new positive long-term follow-up results from its Phase 1 clinical trial assessing the safety of AST-OPC1 (oligodendrocyte progenitor cells) in patients with spinal cord injury.

ISSCR Releases Updated Guidelines for Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation

Click here for the full Guidelines document Listen to an audio recording of the 12 May news conference Washington, D.C.; 12 May 2016 – The International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR), the world’s largest professional organization of stem cell scientists, today released newly updated guidelines for stem cell research and the development of new clinical therapies.