ScienceDaily (June 5, 2012) Using a noninvasive test on maternal blood that deploys a novel biochemical assay and a new algorithm for analysis, scientists can detect, with a high degree of accuracy, the risk that a fetus has the chromosomal abnormalities that cause Down syndrome and a genetic disorder known as Edwards syndrome. The new approach is more scalable than other recently developed genetic screening tests and has the potential to reduce unnecessary amniocentesis or CVS.

Two studies evaluating this approach are available online in advance of publication in the April issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology (AJOG).

Diagnosis of fetal chromosomal abnormalities, or aneuploidies, relies on invasive testing by chorionic villous sampling or amniocentesis in pregnancies identified as high-risk. Although accurate, the tests are expensive and carry a risk of miscarriage. A technique known as massively parallel shotgun sequencing (MPSS) that analyzes cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from the mother's plasma for fetal conditions has been used to detect trisomy 21 (T21) pregnancies, those with an extra copy of chromosome 21 that leads to Down syndrome, and trisomy 18 (T18), the chromosomal defect underlying Edwards syndrome. MPSS accurately identifies the conditions by analyzing the entire genome, but it requires a large amount of DNA sequencing, limiting its clinical usefulness.

Scientists at Aria Diagnostics in San Jose, CA developed a novel assay, Digital Analysis of Selected Regions (DANSR), which sequences loci from only the chromosomes under investigation. The assay requires 10 times less DNA sequencing than MPSS approaches.

In the current study, the researchers report on a novel statistical algorithm, the Fetal-fraction Optimized Risk of Trisomy Evaluation (FORTE), which considers age-related risks and the percentage of fetal DNA in the sample to provide an individualized risk score for trisomy. Explains author Ken Song, MD, "The higher the fraction of fetal cfDNA, the greater the difference in the number of cfDNA fragments originating from trisomic versus disomic [normal] chromosomes and hence the easier it is to detect trisomy. The FORTE algorithm explicitly accounts for fetal fraction in calculating trisomy risk."

To test the performance of the DANSR/FORTE assay, Dr. Song and his colleagues evaluated a set of subjects consisting of 123 normal, 36 T21, and 8 T18 pregnancies. All samples were assigned FORTE odd scores for chromosome 18 and chromosome 21. The combination of DANSR and FORTE correctly identified all 36 cases of T21 and 8 cases of T18 as having a greater than 99% risk for each trisomy in a blinded analysis. There was at least a 1,000 fold magnitude separation in the risk score between trisomic and disomic samples.

In a related study, researchers from the Harris Birthright Research Centre for Fetal Medicine, Kings College Hospital, University of London and the University College London Hospital, University College London, provided 400 maternal plasma samples to Aria for analysis using the DANSR assay with the FORTE algorithm. The subjects were all at risk for aneuploidies, and they had been tested by chorionic villous sampling. The analysis distinguished all cases of T21 and 98% of T18 cases from euploid pregnancies. In all cases of T21, the estimated risk for this aneuploidy was greater than or equal to 99%, whereas in all normal pregnancies and those with T18, the risk score for T21 was less than or equal to 0.01%.

"Combining the DANSR assay with the FORTE algorithm provides a robust and accurate assessment of fetal trisomy risk," says Dr. Song. "Because DANSR allows analysis of specific genomic regions, it could be potentially used to evaluate genetic conditions other than trisomy. The incorporation of additional risk information, such as from ultrasonography, into the FORTE algorithm warrants investigation."

Kypros H. Nicolaides, MD, senior author of the University of London study, suggests that fetal trisomy evaluation with cfDNA testing will inevitably be introduced into clinical practice. "It would be useful as a secondary test contingent upon the results of a more universally applicable primary method of screening. The extent to which it could be applied as a universal screening tool depends on whether the cost becomes comparable to that of current methods of sonographic and biochemical testing."

Dr. Nicolaides also notes that the plasma samples were obtained from high-risk pregnancies where there is some evidence of impaired placental function. It would also be necessary to demonstrate that the observed accuracy with cfDNA testing obtained from the investigation of pregnancies at high-risk for aneuploidies is applicable to the general population where the prevalence of fetal trisomy 21 is much lower. "This may well prove to be the case because the ability to detect aneuploidy with cfDNA is dependent upon assay precision and fetal DNA percentage in the sample rather than the prevalence of the disease in the study population," he concludes.

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Noninvasive genetic test for Down syndrome and Edwards syndrome highly accurate

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New Test Uses Mom's Blood, Dad's Saliva to Determine Baby's Genetic Code

June 6, 2012 -- Samples of blood and saliva from parents-to-be may help identify thousands of genetic disorders in fetuses soon after conception without invasive testing, researchers say.

In a study published today in the journal Science Translational Medicine, researchers from the University of Washington report that they were able to determine the complete DNA sequence of two babies in the womb by analyzing blood samples from the mother and saliva samples from the father.

Genetic predictions were confirmed once the babies were born by analyzing umbilical cord blood collected at birth.

The test is not ready for use yet. Although cost and technological challenges remain, the research could lead to a simple non-invasive test to identify more than 3,000 disorders caused by single-gene mutations, says study co-author Jay Shendure, MD, PhD.

"Many of these diseases are so rare that most people have never heard of them, but collectively they affect around 1% of births," Shendure tells WebMD.

Only a few genetic disorders, including Down syndrome, are screened for during pregnancy. They use invasive and potentially risky procedures such as amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling.

The search is underway for less invasive tests using blood samples from pregnant women instead of fluid from the uterus. That's based on the recognition that fetal DNA is present in the blood of pregnant women at varying concentrations during pregnancy.

In the newly published study, researchers confirmed that blood taken from an expectant mother about 18 weeks into her pregnancy and saliva specimens taken from the father contained enough genetic information to map the DNA code of the developing fetus.

The finding was later confirmed in another expectant couple with blood taken from the mother even earlier in her pregnancy.

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Blood Test May Spot Genetic Disease in Fetuses

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

Editor's Choice Main Category: Smoking / Quit Smoking Also Included In: Genetics Article Date: 06 Jun 2012 - 14:00 PDT

Current ratings for: 'Genetics Alter Ability To Quit Smoking'

The finding could pave the way for health care providers to offer a more individualized therapy in the future to assist people in their quest to stop smoking.

NIDA Director Nora D. Volkow, M.D. declares:

The researchers decided to base their investigation on a cluster of nicotinic receptor genes, namely CHRNA5-CHRNA3-CHRNB4, as previous study have shown that these genes are involved in nicotine dependence and heavy smoking.

Using data from an earlier study, they demonstrated that people with the high-risk nicotinic receptor gene cluster ceased to smoke, on average, 2 years later than those with the low-risk genes. The delay was due to the fact that those with the high-risk gene cluster's tobacco consumption was heavier.

A subsequent clinical trial confirmed that when treated with placebo, the likelihood of failing in their attempts to stop smoking was higher in the high-risk gene group than in those with the low-risk genes, whereas nicotine cessation drugs, like nicotine replacement therapies or bupropion, increased the high-risk group's chance of successfully quitting by a three-fold after the end of the treatment when compared with placebo. This means these drugs prove particularly beneficial in this population group.

First author, Li-Shiun Chen, M.D., of the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis explained:

In the US, smoking is the single most preventable cause of disease, disability and death according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDP). 440,000 deaths from smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke could be prevented each year, which translated to about 1 in 5 deaths in the US overall, whilst 8.6 million suffer from a serious smoking-related illness, and even though these health costs are well-documented, there are still more than 46 million adult smokers in the U.S.

Written By Petra Rattue Copyright: Medical News Today Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

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Genetics Alter Ability To Quit Smoking

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SALT LAKE CITY, June 6, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Myriad Genetics announced today that the Company is the honorable recipient of the 2012 Charles R. Smart Visionary Award from the American Cancer Society's Salt Lake City office, a part of the Great West Division. This award is presented annually at the Society's Legacy & Leadership event to recognize organizations that have made extraordinary efforts in the fight against cancer.

Myriad and its employees are dedicated to saving lives and improving the quality of life of patients with cancer. In addition to its life-saving molecular diagnostic tests, Myriad is a local community leader with the American Cancer Society in the fight against cancer. The Company and its employees have played an important role in events to benefit the American Cancer Society including the Hope Gala, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer and Relay for Life.

"We are deeply honored to receive the Charles R. Smart Visionary award," said Peter Meldrum, President and Chief Executive Officer of Myriad Genetics. "Myriad and the American Cancer Society share the goal of improving the quality of life for patients with cancer. Everyday our activities are guided by this mission and therefore we have been pleased to offer our financial support, leadership involvement and volunteer participation to this cause."

The late Dr. Charles R. Smart, a lifelong resident of Utah, was a pioneer in the study of cancer. Dr. Smart spent more than 35 years focused on establishing computerized cancer research and was the founder of the Utah Cancer Registry, a population based registry that has been doing systematic cancer surveillance in the state since 1966.

About Myriad Genetics

Myriad Genetics, Inc., an internationally recognized leader in molecular diagnostics, is dedicated to making a difference in patient's lives through the discovery and commercialization of transformative tests to assess a person's risk of developing disease, guide treatment decisions and assess risk of disease progression and recurrence. Myriad's portfolio of molecular diagnostic tests are based on an understanding of the role genes play in human disease and were developed with a commitment to improving an individual's decision making process for monitoring and treating disease. Myriad is focused on strategic directives to introduce new products, including companion diagnostics, as well as expanding internationally. For more information on how Myriad is making a difference, please visit the Company's website: http://www.myriad.com

Myriad, the Myriad logo, BRACAnalysis, Colaris, Colaris AP, Melaris, TheraGuide, Prezeon, OnDose, Panexia and Prolaris are trademarks or registered trademarks of Myriad Genetics, Inc. in the United States and foreign countries. MYGN-G

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements relating to the Company's strategic directives under the caption "About Myriad Genetics". These "forward-looking statements" are based on management's current expectations of future events and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from those set forth in or implied by forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the risk that sales and profit margins of our existing molecular diagnostic tests and companion diagnostic services may decline or will not continue to increase at historical rates; the risk that we may be unable to expand into new markets outside of the United States; the risk that we may be unable to develop or achieve commercial success for additional molecular diagnostic tests and companion diagnostic services in a timely manner, or at all; the risk that we may not successfully develop new markets for our molecular diagnostic tests and companion diagnostic services, including our ability to successfully generate revenue outside the United States; the risk that licenses to the technology underlying our molecular diagnostic tests and companion diagnostic services and any future products are terminated or cannot be maintained on satisfactory terms; risks related to delays or other problems with manufacturing our products or operating our laboratory testing facilities; risks related to public concern over genetic testing in general or our tests in particular; risks related to regulatory requirements or enforcement in the United States and foreign countries and changes in the structure of healthcare payment systems; risks related to our ability to obtain new corporate collaborations and acquire new technologies or businesses on satisfactory terms, if at all; risks related to our ability to successfully integrate and derive benefits from any technologies or businesses that we acquire; the development of competing tests and services; the risk that we or our licensors may be unable to protect the proprietary technologies underlying our tests; the risk of patent-infringement and invalidity claims or challenges of our patents; risks of new, changing and competitive technologies and regulations in the United States and internationally; and other factors discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" contained in Item 1A in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as any updates to those risk factors filed from time to time in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or Current Reports on Form 8-K. All information in this press release is as of the date of the release, and Myriad undertakes no duty to update this information unless required by law.

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Myriad Genetics Receives the Charles R. Smart Visionary Award From the American Cancer Society(R)

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With all the new stories and conversations about cancer, one phrase you will start to hear more and more is Personalized Medicine.

The OHSU Knight Cancer Institute is on the forefront of this newest approach to cancer treatment. Personalized medicines promise is simple: it is not just about new drugs. Its about but how each individuals cancer is diagnosed, the treatment program designed to best address each persons disease and their lifestyle, as well as a therapy that targets what is making their particular cancer grow.

On June 7 at 7:00pm, KOIN Local 6 and OHSU Knight Cancer Institute presents a very important medical special called Personalized Medicine Ending Cancer As We Know It; a half hour program that explores one of the most talked about diseases that impacts almost everybody.

Youll also get to talk live with the experts at the Knight Cancer Institute. Physicians, nurses and other cancer experts will speak with you one-on-one about your concerns and questions. The Knight Cancer Institute will open its phone lines up to you live. You can even submit questions on Facebook and Twitter. The phone lines and social media feeds open to your questions at 6:30pm.

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Personalized Medicine: Ending Cancer As We Know It

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SAN DIEGO, CA--(Marketwire -06/06/12)-

Bio-Matrix Scientific Group (BMSN) (BMSN) announced today that its Regen BioPharma unit has appointed three internationally renowned regenerative medicine experts to its Scientific Advisory Board (SAB). The new SAB members appointed are David White, M.D., PhD; Wei-Ping Min, M.D., PhD and Vlad Bogin, M.D.

Dr. White is a member of the Surgery and Immunology faculty of The Schulic School of Medicine, University of Western Ontario. He is one of the leading experts on using regenerative medicine transplant procedures to treat pancreatic conditions, including diabetes. He is also the Chief Scientific Officer of Sernova Corp and was formerly a Therapeutic Area Head for Novartis. He received the B.Sc. degree from the University of Surrey and the M.D. and PhD degrees from Cambridge University.

Dr. Wei-Ping Min is Professor at the Lawson Health Research Center in Canada. He is inventor of siRNA therapeutics in the area of immunology and cell therapy to inhibit disease modalities. He is also the founder/cofounder of several biotech companies including MedVax Pharma Corp, and ToleroTech Inc. Dr. Min brings detailed scientific and mechanistic expertise to Regen BioPharma. He earned graduate and medical degrees from Nanchang University Medical School and the PhD degree from Kyushu University.

Dr. Bogin is the President and CEO of Cromos Pharma, a contract research organization that specializes in biopharmaceutical clinical outsourcing. He was formerly the Director of Boehringer Ingelheim in charge of the phase IV program for Dabigatran Etexilate. He studied at the Yale University School of Medicine and the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry.

Regen BioPharma has also entered into a Letter of Intent with Clinartis LLC, a global contract research organization (CRO). Clinartis is a full service global CRO serving pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device companies to support Phase I - IV drug and device clinical trials in the US and Europe.

The SAB and Clinartis will assist the Company in its acquisition of intellectual property related to stem cells, translation of the intellectual property into treatments, and optimizing the value of these new therapies.

"The potential of regenerative medicine products is significant," says Christopher Mizer, the President of Regen BioPharma. "We believe that strategic collaborative relationships between Regen BioPharma, our SAB and Clinartis will facilitate our efforts to create value from that potential by developing proprietary, life sciences technologies and demonstrating their clinical utility."

"Our strong SAB has scientific and regulatory expertise, coupled with Clinartis' access to world-class researchers and investigators will be very instrumental for accelerated commercialization of the cutting-edge biotechnology research on which Regen BioPharma is focused," according to Bio-Matrix Scientific Group's Chairman & CEO David Koos.

About Bio-Matrix Scientific Group Inc. and Regen BioPharma, Inc.:

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Bio-Matrix' Regen BioPharma Unit Establishes Scientific Advisory Board and Research Relationship With Clinartis in ...

Recommendation and review posted by sam

WALTHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Regenerative medicine company Histogenics Corporation, announced today publication in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (JBJS) of two year results from a Phase 2 randomized clinical trial of the Companys lead product candidate, the NeoCart Autologous Cartilage Tissue Implant (ACTI) for patients with grade III chondral injury to the femur (cartilage damage in the knee). The paper concludes that NeoCart:

NeoCart is an autologous bioengineered neocartilage grown outside the body using the patients own cells for the repair of full thickness cartilage lesions. A multi-center, randomized Phase 3 study of the product candidate is underway comparing treatment of articular cartilage defects of the knee with NeoCart versus current standard of care, microfracture surgery. In current clinical practice, microfracture surgery, which works by creating tiny fractures in the underlying bone, is widely recommended as a primary treatment for chondral injury to the femur, although outcome measures have been reported to plateau between 12 to 24 months. Prior to the NeoCart study featured in the JBJS, no studies of microfracture alternatives had shown a significant clinical improvement when directly compared to microfracture before and up to two years of treatment.

There is a clinical need for a primary surgical treatment option for cartilage repair that improves on the historical outcomes of microfracture and the results detailed in our recent analysis and publication strongly suggest that NeoCart may meet this need as a first-line therapeutic alternative to microfracture procedures, said Dennis Crawford,M.D., Ph.D.,Assistant Professor, Orthopedics Oregon Health Science University and the lead author of the paper. Preliminary findings strongly suggest that autologous cartilage tissue implant using NeoCart significantly improved knee pain and function within six months and provided significantly greater improvements, in a greater proportion of patients than microfracture. This includes, importantly, greater clinical efficacy two years after treatment in contrast to those treated with microfracture surgery.

Histogenics is committed to improving the quality of life for active adults and elite athletes by developing innovative solutions upstream to the current standard of less efficacious or more invasive treatment modalities, said Patrick ODonnell, President and Chief Executive Officer of Histogenics. The analysis in JBJS adds to a growing body of evidence that NeoCart has the potential to be a longer-term, effective solution for cartilage injurywhich is especially encouraging for young, active adults who are eager to return to their pre-injury activities and want to avoid more invasive, bridge-burning treatments during these prime years of their lives. Based on these continued positive findings, we are hopeful that NeoCart could become a valuable addition to the treatment armamentarium for cartilage damage and look forward to completing our ongoing NeoCart Phase 3 clinical study.

In the JBJS paper, three, six, twelve, and twenty-four month data were reported with a mean of 26 months for all patients (21 NeoCart; 9 microfracture). Mean age, body mass index, injury acuity and lesion size were similar across both arms. Adverse event rates did not differ between treatment arms. Short Form (36) Health Survey, Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcomes Score (KOOS) activity of daily living, KOOS quality of life and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score improved from baseline (p<0.05) at two years for both treatments. Improvement for NeoCart versus baseline was significant (p<0.05) for all measures at 6, 12 and 24 months. NeoCart treatment improvement was statistically greater (p<0.05) than microfracture for KOOS pain at 6, 12 and 24 months, KOOS symptoms at 6 months, IKDC, KOOS sports and Visual Analog Scale pain at 12 and 24 months, and KOOS quality of life at 24 months. Analysis of covariance at one year indicated that KOOS pain (p=0.016) and IKDC (p=0.028) change from pre-treatment Ievels favored NeoCart. Significantly more NeoCart treated patients (p=0.0125) were therapeutic responders at 6 (43% v. 25%) and 12 (76% v. 22%) months. This trend continued as a greater proportion of NeoCart treated patients (15/19) were therapeutic responders at 24 months than microfracture treated participants (4/9). In the responder analysis, a patient was classified as a responder if they achieved at least a 12-point improvement in the pain score of the KOOS assessment and a 20-point improvement in the IKDC subjective score.

The paper, titled NeoCart, an Autologous Cartilage Tissue Implant, Compared to Microfracture for Treatment of Distal Femoral Cartilage Lesions. An FDA Phase II Prospective, Randomized Clinical Trial after Two Years, was authored by Dennis Crawford,M.D., Ph.D.,Assistant Professor, Orthopedics Oregon Health Science University, Thomas DeBerardino, M.D., Associate Professor, Orthopaedic Surgery, New England Musculosketal Institute at University of Connecticut Health Center and Riley Williams, III, M.D., Associate Professor, Orthopaedic Surgery, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, Hospital for Special Surgery.

In addition to the results reported today in JBJS, data were also presented last month at the International Cartilage Repair Society Annual Meeting from previously completed Phase 1 and 2 clinical trials that demonstrated that NeoCart efficacy was sustained throughout a median study period of 48 months and, in the first patients treated with NeoCart, for up to 5 years.

About NeoCart

NeoCart is an autologous bioengineered neocartilage grown outside the body using the patients own cells for the regeneration of cartilage lesions. NeoCart recently entered a Phase 3 clinical trial after reporting positive Phase 2 data, in which all primary endpoints were met and a favorable safety profile was demonstrated.

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Histogenics Announces Publication in Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery Demonstrating that NeoCart® is Associated with ...

Recommendation and review posted by sam

SAN DIEGO, CA--(Marketwire -06/06/12)-

Bio-Matrix Scientific Group (BMSN) (BMSN) announced today that its Regen BioPharma unit has appointed three internationally renowned regenerative medicine experts to its Scientific Advisory Board (SAB). The new SAB members appointed are David White, M.D., PhD; Wei-Ping Min, M.D., PhD and Vlad Bogin, M.D.

Dr. White is a member of the Surgery and Immunology faculty of The Schulic School of Medicine, University of Western Ontario. He is one of the leading experts on using regenerative medicine transplant procedures to treat pancreatic conditions, including diabetes. He is also the Chief Scientific Officer of Sernova Corp and was formerly a Therapeutic Area Head for Novartis. He received the B.Sc. degree from the University of Surrey and the M.D. and PhD degrees from Cambridge University.

Dr. Wei-Ping Min is Professor at the Lawson Health Research Center in Canada. He is inventor of siRNA therapeutics in the area of immunology and cell therapy to inhibit disease modalities. He is also the founder/cofounder of several biotech companies including MedVax Pharma Corp, and ToleroTech Inc. Dr. Min brings detailed scientific and mechanistic expertise to Regen BioPharma. He earned graduate and medical degrees from Nanchang University Medical School and the PhD degree from Kyushu University.

Dr. Bogin is the President and CEO of Cromos Pharma, a contract research organization that specializes in biopharmaceutical clinical outsourcing. He was formerly the Director of Boehringer Ingelheim in charge of the phase IV program for Dabigatran Etexilate. He studied at the Yale University School of Medicine and the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry.

Regen BioPharma has also entered into a Letter of Intent with Clinartis LLC, a global contract research organization (CRO). Clinartis is a full service global CRO serving pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device companies to support Phase I - IV drug and device clinical trials in the US and Europe.

The SAB and Clinartis will assist the Company in its acquisition of intellectual property related to stem cells, translation of the intellectual property into treatments, and optimizing the value of these new therapies.

"The potential of regenerative medicine products is significant," says Christopher Mizer, the President of Regen BioPharma. "We believe that strategic collaborative relationships between Regen BioPharma, our SAB and Clinartis will facilitate our efforts to create value from that potential by developing proprietary, life sciences technologies and demonstrating their clinical utility."

"Our strong SAB has scientific and regulatory expertise, coupled with Clinartis' access to world-class researchers and investigators will be very instrumental for accelerated commercialization of the cutting-edge biotechnology research on which Regen BioPharma is focused," according to Bio-Matrix Scientific Group's Chairman & CEO David Koos.

About Bio-Matrix Scientific Group Inc. and Regen BioPharma, Inc.:

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Bio-Matrix' Regen BioPharma Unit Establishes Scientific Advisory Board and Research Relationship With Clinartis in ...

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CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Leading stem cell therapeutic and regenerative medicine company, AuxoCell Laboratories, Inc., today announced an agreement with CordVida, a Brazilian stem cell cryopreservation company, which will allow CordVida to expand its services. Families who select CordVida to store umbilical cord blood will now have the opportunity to bank stem cells from an additional source cord tissue. With this agreement, AuxoCell broadens its international reach to South America.

At AuxoCell, we are pleased by the opportunity to provide this groundbreaking technology to families around the globe, said Rouzbeh R. Taghizadeh, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer of AuxoCell Laboratories, Inc. CordVida is Brazils premier cord blood bank and adheres to the highest quality standards. It is for that reason that we have selected them as our exclusive partner in Brazil.

Cord tissue has an abundant source of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Currently, there is a significant amount of research underway focused on mesenchymal stem cells extracted from cord tissue. MSCs are rapidly becoming the leading stem cell in regenerative medicine studies, and MSCs from a variety of sources are in use in over 150 clinical trials. The AuxoCell cord tissue technology represents the gold standard in the industry, as its technology prepares stem cells that are ready for immediate use, if needed.

CordVida is excited to be the first company in Brazil to offer storage of multiple kinds of stem cells, says Roberto Waddington, CEO for CordVida. Considering the enormous therapeutic prospects of cord tissue derived MSCs, our clients in the future will now rely on a much wider array of potential therapeutic applications.We are proud that AuxoCell selected CordVidaas its exclusive technology partner for all of Brazil.

Banking umbilical cord tissue stem cells offers clients a chance to reap the benefits of research that is being conducted on MSCs. Additionally, AuxoCells own studies have shown that a combination of cord tissue mesenchymal stem cells derived using AuxoCells validated processing SOPs and hematapoietic stem cells (HSCs) from the cord blood enhances the engraftment of the cord blood HSCs.

About AuxoCell

AuxoCell Laboratories, Inc. (AuxoCell) is a leading stem cell therapeutic and regenerative medicine company located in Massachusetts. AuxoCell's primary research focus is to develop the enormous therapeutic potential of the primitive stem cells found in the Wharton's Jelly of the human umbilical cord. With exclusive patent rights and proprietary processing protocols, AuxoCell is uniquely situated to offer the very best in cord tissue stem cell banking. Through strategic partnerships with both private and public cord blood banks, stem cell centers, and research laboratories around the world, AuxoCell strives every day to bring novel stem cell therapies from the bench to the bedside. Additional information is available through HYPERLINK http://www.auxocell.com or at (617) 610-9000.

About CordVida

Founded in 2004, CordVida is the premier stem cell cryopreservation company in Brazil with 10.000 umbilical cord blood units stored. It is the cord blood bank of choice for key doctors in Brazil. Committed to the highest global quality standards, CordVida has been AABB accredited since 2008. Half of the transplants made in Brazil using private cord blood units have been made with units stored in CordVida.

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AuxoCell Laboratories Licenses Umbilical Cord Tissue Stem Cell Service to Brazil’s CordVida

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A drug that stops the body from rejecting bone marrow transplants in cancer patients could be ready for human trials in three years time.

The latest development comes after more than a decade of research unlocking the function of a protein called perforin, which kills rogue cells in the body.

Australian researchers involved in unravelling perforin's molecular structure, a discovery published in the journal Nature in 2010, are now working towards developing a safe drug to block the protein.

Perforin plays a key role in the body's immune response by punching holes in, and killing, cells which have been hijacked by viruses or cancer to rid the body of disease.

However, the protein is problematic for bone marrow transplant patients because it can cause the body to reject the treatment.

For this reason, a project led by the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne is developing a drug to inhibit the protein in bone marrow stem cell transplant patients to help their recovery.

The drug works in mouse models, but a $6.8 million grant from the UK's Wellcome Trust will allow the drug to be fine-tuned for human trials.

'In the mouse models we use, we know the inhibitors are effective,' project leader Professor Joe Trapani, executive director of cancer research at Peter Mac, told AAP.

'They actually help stem cells survive when they would otherwise be rejected.'

The Peter Mac team is working with New Zealand chemist Prof Bill Denny to refine the drug, along with Monash University and Queensland Institute of Medical Research scientists.

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Bone marrow transplant drug trial closer

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

Public release date: 5-Jun-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: David Eve celltransplantation@gmail.com Cell Transplantation Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair

Tampa, Fla. (June 5 , 2012) A study characterizing the multipotency and transplantation value of olfactory stem cells, as well as the ease in obtaining them, has been published in a recent issue of Cell Transplantation (20:11/12), now freely available on-line at http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/cog/ct/.

"There is worldwide enthusiasm for cell transplantation therapy to repair failing organs," said study lead author Dr. Andrew Wetzig of the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. "The olfactory mucosa of a patient's nose can provide cells that are potentially significant candidates for human tissue repair."

According to the study authors, olfactory neural stem cells can be derived from a patient's own cells, they are readily available by a minimally invasive biopsy technique, and they can be expanded in vitro. The cells are plentiful because the olfactory epithelium undergoes neurogenesis and continual replacement of sensory neurons throughout adult life.

"Using the rat as our animal model source, we examined the basic aspects of olfactory neural stem cell biology and its potential for self-renewal and phenotypic expression in various circumstances," said Dr. Wetzig. "Previously, we found that they have performed well in pre-clinical models of disease and transplantation and seem to emulate a wound healing process where the cells acquire the appropriate phenotype in an apparently orderly fashion over time."

The researchers concluded that the olfactory neurospheres contain stem cells whose capacity for differentiation is triggered by signals from the immediate environmental niche.

"Stem cell numbers were shown to be enriched by our culture methods," explained Dr. Wetzig. "We also demonstrated that when adult olfactory stem cells are transplanted into an environmental niche different from that of their origin, they demonstrate multipotency by acquiring the phenotype of the resident cells."

"This study highlights another potential source of stem cells that has shown some degree of promise in a number of studies" said Dr. John Sladek, professor of neurology and pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. "Their relatively easy accessibility and multipotent properties are important factors that could rank these cells competitively with other stem cells thus giving them a potential impact as an excellent source for cell therapy".

###

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The potential impact of olfactory stem cells as therapy reported in Cell Transplantation

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

Global medical products and services company, Baxter International, Inc. ( BAX ), recently inked a global agreement with Chatham Therapeutics, LLC. Per the deal, Baxter will use Chatham's gene therapy know-how to develop and market new products for curing hemophilia B.

Baxter believes that investment in research and development (R&D) will further expand its BioScience segment's hemophilia product portfolio and be accretive to future sales. Bioscience sales were $1,462 million, up 4% (up 5% in constant currency) year over year, in the most recent quarter. The performance was attributable to higher demand for products utilized in the treatment of hemophilia and immune disorders, such as Advate and Gammagard Liquid (Immune Globulin Intravenous - Human), several specialty plasma-based therapeutics and vaccines.

Baxter wishes to run clinical trials on Chatham's unique Biological Nano Particles ("BNP"), a gene therapy technology, which has generated successful results during initial trials. The company paid $25 million for the program during its initial trials (which it will record as a special pre-tax in-process R&D expense in the second quarter of 2012) and plans to invest further, subject to certain terms and conditions.

The company has already been conducting several researches in hemophilia, including the BAX326 clinical trial for treating hemophilia B. It plans to file for an U.S. approval of BAX326 by late 2012.

Privately-owned Chatham Therapeutics, LLC is an associate of Asklepios BioPharmaceutical, Inc. ("AskBio"), which focuses on developing gene therapy based treatments for both hemophilia A and B.

The news regarding Baxter still remains mixed. On the positive side, Baxter's focus on life-sustaining products, which are not commoditized, partly insulates it from an economic downturn. The company is able to generate recurring revenues, and consistent cash flow, owing to its focus on chronic diseases. Among other positive factors, Baxter retains a strong product pipeline with several products in late-stage clinical development.

Baxter struck a deal, in December 2011, to buy Synovis Life Technologies, a well-known provider of mechanical and biological products for the repair of soft tissue utilized in a large number of surgical operations. The acquisition will further expand Baxter's offerings in the area of biosurgery and regenerative treatment.

Earlier, in November 2011, Baxter completed its acquisition of Baxa Corporation. The takeover highlights the company's continued commitment toward patient safety and nutrition. It also permits Baxter to provide a wider set of solutions for the safe preparation and delivery of IV medication. Baxa's know-how will benefit patients across the globe.

On the flip side, despite resilience in Plasma Proteins and Antibody Therapy sub-segments, we are concerned about stagnation in sales, a slightly somber outlook for hospital spending and tightening of reimbursement. We also account for the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange translation and possible dilution associated with the company's acquisitions of Baxa and Synovis.

Improved execution has lifted sentiment somewhat toward Baxter. It is a good bet for value investors willing to wait as fundamentals improve further. Among others, the company competes with Becton, Dickinson and Company ( BDX ) in certain niches. We currently have a Neutral long-term rating on Baxter. The stock currently retains a Zacks #3 Rank, which translates into a short-term "Hold" recommendation.

Follow this link:
Baxter Inks Deal with Chatham - Analyst Blog

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

By Eddie Wrenn

PUBLISHED: 11:26 EST, 5 June 2012 | UPDATED: 03:55 EST, 6 June 2012

Pain: All women have two 'X' chromosomes - potentially making them more prone to migranes

A female gene may be to blame for migraine - explaining why women are more likely to suffer from the debilitating headaches, research shows.

A study found a new region on the X chromosome as having a link to migraines, providing new evidence their might be a susceptibility gene involved.

All women have two X chromosomes while men have an X and a Y chromosome.

Researchers, led by Lyn Griffiths from Australias Griffith University, say more than one X chromosomal gene may be involved and believe a gene involved in iron regulation in the brain merits further attention.

Professor Griffiths based her study on genetic research of 300 inhabitants of remote Norfolk Isand, between Australia and New Zealand.

Many of the islanders are descended from survivors of the mutiny on the Bounty, moving there when they outgrown Pitcairn Island.

Eighty per cent of the inhabitants can trace their ancestry back to the mutiny.

Link:
'Female' gene to blame for migraines - which may explain why ladies are more prone than men

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

Editor's Choice Academic Journal Main Category: Genetics Also Included In: Pediatrics / Children's Health;Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness Article Date: 05 Jun 2012 - 14:00 PDT

Current ratings for: 'Genetic Risk Scores And Obesity Later In Life Among Children'

The researchers explain that obesity can be inherited and GWASs (genome-wide association studies) have started to reveal the molecular roots of heritability by identifying SNPs (single-nucleotide polymorphisms) which are associated with higher BMIs (body mass indexes).

Daniel W. Belsky, Ph.D., and team wrote:

The researchers gathered data on 1,037 New Zealanders who were members of the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study. 52% of them were males. They were all born between April 1972 and March 1973. They were assessed every few years up to the age of 38 years.

Participants with higher GRSs (genetic risk scores) had greater BMIs between ages 3 to 38 for every age assessed. Children identified with a high genetic risk were found to have a 1.61 to 2.41 times higher chance of becoming obese during their teens to late thirties , and 1.90 times more likely to become chronically obese across over three assessments compared to the other kids.

Children at higher genetic risk experienced more severe adiposity rebound than other kids. Adiposity rebound means gaining fat after losing weight - piling the pounds back on. Adiposity rebound also appeared to occur earlier on among kids at higher genetic risk.

Children of normal weight at higher genetic risk, whose parents were overweight, were found to have faster growth and a greater chance of becoming obese.

The authors explained that genetic score risk contributed "independent and additive information" to predicting how much children might grow and/or become obese later on in life - this data went beyond family history data.

In the same journal, the authors concluded:

Go here to read the rest:
Genetic Risk Scores And Obesity Later In Life Among Children

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

While economies everywhere continue to face a global slowdown, investors should turn to the safety of stocks in a recession-proof sector, Jim Cramer said Tuesday on CNBC's "Mad Money." He cited Seattle Genetics as the perfect example of one such stock.

With a market capitalization of $2.4 billion, Seattle Genetics

The Bothell, Wash.-based firm champions the use of innovative biotechnology like engineered antibodies to target and kill cancer cells while sparing healthy cells. And though the stock isn't profitable just yet, it does have one drug Adcetris already on the market and is expected to start raking in material revenues in 2014.

Cramer also noted that at the American Society of Clinical Oncology conference, Seattle Genetics released "bullish phase two data" about the use of Adcetris to treat other types of lymphoma, in addition to the Hodgkin's and large cell strains of lymphoma the drug has already successfully treated.

To find out more about the company's prospects, Cramer sat down to chat with Clay Siegall, president and CEO of Seattle Genetics on Tuesday's show. Watch the video to see the full interview.

Call Cramer: 1-800-743-CNBC

Questions for Cramer?

Questions, comments, suggestions for the Mad Money website?

2012 CNBC.com

Read more:
Cramer Interviews Seattle Genetics CEO

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

Global medical products and services company, Baxter International, Inc. (BAX), recently inked a global agreement with Chatham Therapeutics, LLC. Per the deal, Baxter will use Chathams gene therapy know-how to develop and market new products for curing hemophilia B.

Baxter believes that investment in research and development (R&D) will further expand its BioScience segments hemophilia product portfolio and be accretive to future sales. Bioscience sales were $1,462 million, up 4% (up 5% in constant currency) year over year, in the most recent quarter. The performance was attributable to higher demand for products utilized in the treatment of hemophilia and immune disorders, such as Advate and Gammagard Liquid (Immune Globulin Intravenous Human), several specialty plasma-based therapeutics and vaccines.

Baxter wishes to run clinical trials on Chathams unique Biological Nano Particles (BNP), a gene therapy technology, which has generated successful results during initial trials. The company paid $25 million for the program during its initial trials (which it will record as a special pre-tax in-process R&D expense in the second quarter of 2012) and plans to invest further, subject to certain terms and conditions.

The company has already been conducting several researches in hemophilia, including the BAX326 clinical trial for treating hemophilia B. It plans to file for an U.S. approval of BAX326 by late 2012.

Privately-owned Chatham Therapeutics, LLC is an associate of Asklepios BioPharmaceutical, Inc. (AskBio), which focuses on developing gene therapy based treatments for both hemophilia A and B.

The news regarding Baxter still remains mixed. On the positive side, Baxters focus on life-sustaining products, which are not commoditized, partly insulates it from an economic downturn. The company is able to generate recurring revenues, and consistent cash flow, owing to its focus on chronic diseases. Among other positive factors, Baxter retains a strong product pipeline with several products in late-stage clinical development.

Baxter struck a deal, in December 2011, to buy Synovis Life Technologies, a well-known provider of mechanical and biological products for the repair of soft tissue utilized in a large number of surgical operations. The acquisition will further expand Baxters offerings in the area of biosurgery and regenerative treatment.

Earlier, in November 2011, Baxter completed its acquisition of Baxa Corporation. The takeover highlights the companys continued commitment toward patient safety and nutrition. It also permits Baxter to provide a wider set of solutions for the safe preparation and delivery of IV medication. Baxas know-how will benefit patients across the globe.

On the flip side, despite resilience in Plasma Proteins and Antibody Therapy sub-segments, we are concerned about stagnation in sales, a slightly somber outlook for hospital spending and tightening of reimbursement. We also account for the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange translation and possible dilution associated with the companys acquisitions of Baxa and Synovis.

Improved execution has lifted sentiment somewhat toward Baxter. It is a good bet for value investors willing to wait as fundamentals improve further. Among others, the company competes with Becton, Dickinson and Company (BDX) in certain niches. We currently have a Neutral long-term rating on Baxter. The stock currently retains a Zacks #3 Rank, which translates into a short-term Hold recommendation.

Read more from the original source:
Baxter Inks Deal with Chatham

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

Public release date: 5-Jun-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: David Eve celltransplantation@gmail.com Cell Transplantation Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair

Tampa, Fla. (June 5 , 2012) A study characterizing the multipotency and transplantation value of olfactory stem cells, as well as the ease in obtaining them, has been published in a recent issue of Cell Transplantation (20:11/12), now freely available on-line at http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/cog/ct/.

"There is worldwide enthusiasm for cell transplantation therapy to repair failing organs," said study lead author Dr. Andrew Wetzig of the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. "The olfactory mucosa of a patient's nose can provide cells that are potentially significant candidates for human tissue repair."

According to the study authors, olfactory neural stem cells can be derived from a patient's own cells, they are readily available by a minimally invasive biopsy technique, and they can be expanded in vitro. The cells are plentiful because the olfactory epithelium undergoes neurogenesis and continual replacement of sensory neurons throughout adult life.

"Using the rat as our animal model source, we examined the basic aspects of olfactory neural stem cell biology and its potential for self-renewal and phenotypic expression in various circumstances," said Dr. Wetzig. "Previously, we found that they have performed well in pre-clinical models of disease and transplantation and seem to emulate a wound healing process where the cells acquire the appropriate phenotype in an apparently orderly fashion over time."

The researchers concluded that the olfactory neurospheres contain stem cells whose capacity for differentiation is triggered by signals from the immediate environmental niche.

"Stem cell numbers were shown to be enriched by our culture methods," explained Dr. Wetzig. "We also demonstrated that when adult olfactory stem cells are transplanted into an environmental niche different from that of their origin, they demonstrate multipotency by acquiring the phenotype of the resident cells."

"This study highlights another potential source of stem cells that has shown some degree of promise in a number of studies" said Dr. John Sladek, professor of neurology and pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. "Their relatively easy accessibility and multipotent properties are important factors that could rank these cells competitively with other stem cells thus giving them a potential impact as an excellent source for cell therapy".

###

More:
The potential impact of olfactory stem cells as therapy reported in Cell Transplantation

Recommendation and review posted by simmons

A drug that stops the body from rejecting bone marrow transplants in cancer patients could be ready for human trials in three years time.

The latest development comes after more than a decade of research unlocking the function of a protein called perforin, which kills rogue cells in the body.

Australian researchers involved in unravelling perforin's molecular structure, a discovery published in the journal Nature in 2010, are now working towards developing a safe drug to block the protein.

Perforin plays a key role in the body's immune response by punching holes in, and killing, cells which have been hijacked by viruses or cancer to rid the body of disease.

However, the protein is problematic for bone marrow transplant patients because it can cause the body to reject the treatment.

For this reason, a project led by the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne is developing a drug to inhibit the protein in bone marrow stem cell transplant patients to help their recovery.

The drug works in mouse models, but a $6.8 million grant from the UK's Wellcome Trust will allow the drug to be fine-tuned for human trials.

'In the mouse models we use, we know the inhibitors are effective,' project leader Professor Joe Trapani, executive director of cancer research at Peter Mac, told AAP.

'They actually help stem cells survive when they would otherwise be rejected.'

The Peter Mac team is working with New Zealand chemist Prof Bill Denny to refine the drug, along with Monash University and Queensland Institute of Medical Research scientists.

Go here to read the rest:
Bone marrow transplant drug trial closer

Recommendation and review posted by sam

PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Regulatory News:

Exonhit (ALEHT.PA) announced today that it has been granted 1,928,000 by OSEO, as part of its involvement in a consortium led by ERYTECH Pharma and funded under the program for "Strategic Industrial Innovation". 1,126,000 were paid to Exonhit at the inception of the project during the first semester of 2012.

Headed by project leader ERYTECH Pharma, the consortium includes Exonhit, InGen BioSciences, AP-HP (Paris Public Hospitals), Inserm (National Institute for medical research), and Paris-Diderot University. It aims at developing innovative therapies for the enzymatic treatment of chemo- or radio-resistant cancers, and tools enabling personalized care of patients. This project, endorsed by the Competitiveness Cluster Lyonbiople, will last 8 years. The total amount awarded to the consortium amounts to approximately 10.7 million.

Exonhit was selected to participate in both phases of the project by using its proprietary Genome Wide SpliceArrayTM (GWSA) technology, to study tumor transcriptomic profiles in the initial phase, followed by the use of its capabilities in diagnostic test development to translate these profiles into a companion diagnostic.

The Company will be responsible for:

1) the identification of biomarkers of susceptibility to therapeutic response in the context of reducing the risks associated with the development of treatments, and

2) the development of an enzymatic therapy companion diagnostic that will identify responders, thus improving personalized care.

"This project is a new opportunity for the Company to implement its expertise in the development of companion diagnostics, and a key step in the implementation of our strategy in personalized medicine," said Loc Maurel, CEO of Exonhit. "The financial support of OSEO will also enable us to move towards solutions better adapted to the commercialization of diagnostics developed using our GWSA technology."

About the "Strategic Industrial Innovation" Program from OSEO

See original here:
Exonhit Receives € 1.93 Million from OSEO within the Personalized Medicine TEDAC Project in Cancer

Recommendation and review posted by sam

BOULDER, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Biodesix, Inc., a fully integrated molecular diagnostics company dedicated to personalizing medicine, today announced that Paul Beresford, Ph.D., Vice President of Business Development and Strategic Marketing, will join industry veterans on a panel discussing the recipe for the successful commercialization of personalized medicine at the 2012 BIO International Conference being held in Boston, Mass. June 18-21, 2012.

The panel, Commercialization of Personalized Medicine: Stakeholders' Recipe For Success, will take place on Tuesday, June 19th from 3:45-5:00 p.m. EDT. Beresford joins Mara Aspinall, president and CEO of Ventana Medical Systems, a Roche Group; Glenn Miller, Vice President and Head of Personalized Medicine at AstraZeneca; and Ron Andrews, President, Medical Sciences at Life Technologies on the panel. With help from the panelists, who are successfully pioneering diagnostic products for personalized medicine, this session will gauge the power of collaboration to fuel personalized medicine and novel diagnostics, detail early successes, identify major challenges and debate the most attractive models for commercialization.

As personalized therapies continue to see rapid growth from the research side, this is the ideal time to create new business models that optimize the delivery of personalized medicine to patients by providing appropriate incentives to the businesses developing and commercializing these products, said Beresford. I am honored to join this group of innovators in discussing how to best approach this challenge.

Biodesix developed, validated and commercialized VeriStrat, a serum proteomic test currently available to help physicians guide treatment decisions for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. The test identifies patients who are likely to have good or poor outcomes after treatment with epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors (EGFRIs) using a simple blood draw. VeriStrat is based on ProTS, proprietary technology which harnesses the power of mass spectrometry and enables the discovery of specific molecular profiles that characterize a patients condition or likely outcome in response to therapy. Biodesix collaborates with clinical investigators and also partners with biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies to develop diagnostics that can determine which patients are most likely to benefit from novel therapies.

About Biodesix: Biodesix is a personalized medicine company focused on the development of diagnostic products that inform treatment decisions and improve patient care. The Companys goal is to give physicians more information about the patient and their disease; understanding the clinically meaningful information contained within each patients molecular profile leads to better care and better outcomes. The Companys unique approach is based on ProTS, proprietary technology which harnesses the power of mass spectrometry and enables the discovery of specific molecular profiles. Biodesix collaborates with clinical investigators to address critical clinical questions, and partners with biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies to develop diagnostics to select patients most likely to benefit from novel therapies. For more information about Biodesix, please visit http://www.Biodesix.com.

Continue reading here:
Biodesix’ Paul Beresford Joins 2012 BIO Panel for Personalized Medicine Commercialization

Recommendation and review posted by sam

AP

Buccaneers defensive tackle Eric LeGrand knew his hopes of playing in the NFL ended when he suffered a severe spinal cord injury during his junior season at Rutgers. But when LeGrands coach at Rutgers, Greg Schiano, became the coach in Tampa Bay, he decided to sign Legrand and treat him like a member of the team, and today that meant bringing LeGrand to practice and having him address the Buccaneers.

LeGrands message was simple: Play every down like its your last.

I want them to appreciate everything they have, LeGrand said at a press conference after his talk to the Buccaneers. Not too many people get paid to do what they love to do every day. . . . Really appreciate that dont take for granted things that other people dont have.

LeGrands No. 52 Buccaneers jersey is now on sale, with proceeds benefitting the Eric LeGrand Foundation, which will fund research into spinal cord injuries and help people who suffer such injuries and lack health insurance.

Schiano said he has long viewed LeGrand as one of the most positive, upbeat players he has ever coached, and he thinks its important for LeGrands attitude to rub off on the rest of the team.

This is a guy that Ive known for a long time, a guy who played for us at Rutgers, and as I said to the team earlier today, long before his injury and a lot of notoriety that hes received, this was a guy who came every day to our football building and had just a tremendous attitude, Schiano said. I dont know, if this happened to me, if I could be the man that Eric is.

LeGrand acknowledged today that there have been times when he was scared: I didnt know if I was going to die right there is this going to be the end of my life?

But now LeGrand says nothing scares him anymore, and hes as confident in himself as hes ever been.

My next goal is to get back on my feet, LeGrand said. And that will happen.

Read more:
Eric LeGrand spreads a positive message to his Tampa teammates

Recommendation and review posted by sam

NORTHRIDGE, Calif. & CAMBRIDGE, U.K.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Avita Medical Ltd. (ASX: AVH) (OTC: AVMXF) (OTCQX:AVMXY), the regenerative medicine company, today announced a free issuance period through the Bank of New York Mellon whereby AVMXF shareholders may bundle their shares into American Depository Receipts (ADRs) to trade under the AVMXY symbol. The bundling fee will be waived by the Bank of New York Mellon for the three-month period starting June 11, 2012 and ending on September 11, 2012.

Avita Medical trades its ordinary shares on the Australian Stock Exchange under the AVH symbol. The AVMXF shares represent ordinary Australian shares that have been settled in US dollars. Each AVMXY ADR consists of a bundle of 20 ordinary shares.

Conversion of AVMXF shares allows US investors to freely trade ADRs, thereby avoiding the costs and complexities, including currency exchange fluctuations, involved in buying shares on foreign exchanges.

This is an excellent opportunity for our U.S. investors to bundle their AVMXF shares into AVMXY ADRs, for which we anticipate increased trading volume over time, said William Dolphin, Ph.D., CEO of Avita Medical. BNY Mellon has graciously offered to waive the bundling fee for our shareholders for a three month period. We encourage all interested AVMXF shareholders to visit our website or contact BNY Mellon to take advantage of this opportunity.

Investors holding AVMXF shares who are interested in bundling their shares into the AVMXY ADRs should contact the Companys transfer agent, Bank of New York Mellon (BNY Mellon):

Kristen Resch Bank of New York Mellon Depository Receipts +1-212-815-2213 kirsten.resch@bnymellon.com

ABOUT AVITA MEDICAL LTD.

Avita Medical (http://www.avitamedical.com/) develops and distributes regenerative and tissue-engineered products for the treatment of a broad range of wounds, scars and skin defects. Avitas patented and proprietary tissue-culture, collection and application technology provides innovative treatment solutions derived from a patients own skin. The companys lead product, ReCell Spray-On Skin, is used in a wide variety of burns, plastic, reconstructive and cosmetic procedures. ReCell is patented, CE-marked for Europe, TGA-registered in Australia, and SFDA-cleared in China. ReCell is not available for sale in the United States; in the U.S. ReCell is an investigational device limited by federal law to investigational use. A Phase III FDA trial is in process.

See more here:
Avita Medical Announces Free Issuance Period for Conversion of AVMXF Shares to AVMXY ADRs

Recommendation and review posted by sam

Public release date: 4-Jun-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: David Eve Celltransplantation@gmail.com Cell Transplantation Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair

Tampa, Fla. (June 4, 2012) When autologous (self-donated) lung-derived mensenchymal stem cells (LMSCs) were transplanted endoscopically into 13 adult female sheep modeled with emphysema, post-transplant evaluation showed evidence of tissue regeneration with increased blood perfusion and extra cellular matrix content. Researchers concluded that their approach could represent a practical alternative to conventional stem cell-based therapy for treating emphysema.

The study is published in Cell Transplantation (21:1), now freely available on-line at http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/cog/ct/.

"Mensenchymal stem cells are considered for transplantation because they are readily available, highly proliferative and display multi-lineage potential," said study corresponding author Dr. Edward P. Ingenito of the Brigham and Women's Hospital Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine. "Although MSCs have been isolated from various adult tissues - including fat, liver and lung tissues - cells derived from bone marrow (BM) have therapeutic utility and may be useful in treating advanced lung diseases, such as emphysema."

However, according to the authors, previous transplantation studies, many of which used an intravenous delivery method, have shown that BM-MSCs have been only marginally successful in treating lung diseases. Further, therapeutic responses in those studies have been limited to animal models of inflammatory lung diseases, such as asthma and acute lung injury.

To try and answer the questions surrounding the utility of BM-MSCs for treating advanced emphysema, a disease characterized by tissue destruction and loss of lung structural integrity, for this study the researchers isolated highly proliferative, mensenchymal cells from adult lung parenchyma (functional tissue) (LMSCs) and used an endoscopic delivery system coupled with a scaffold comprised of natural extracellular matrix components.

"LMSCs display efficient retention in the lung when delivered endobronchially and have regenerative capacity through expression of basement membrane proteins and growth factors," explained Dr. Ingenito.

However, despite the use of autologous cells, only a fraction of the LMSCs delivered to the lungs alveolar compartment appeared to engraft. Cell death likely occurred because of the failure of LMSCs to home to and bind within their niche, perhaps because the niche was modified by inflammation or fibrosis. These cells are attachment-dependent and failure to attach results in cell death."

Their findings did suggest, however, that LMSCs were capable of contributing to lung remodeling leading to documented functional improvement rather than scarring 28 days post transplantation.

View post:
Cell transplantation of lung stem cells has beneficial impact for emphysema

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) Injecting stem cells into the brain of someone who has had a stroke is a hot button issue.

Is it safe? Can it be done?

Thats what researchers at the University of Pittsburgh are trying to find out.

Because these are cells that have not been injected into the brain before, we need to know whether it is safe to do so, UPMC neurologist Dr. Lawrence Wechsler said.

So far, at UPMC, two people have received injections of stem cells from the bone marrow of healthy adult donors.

Roger Hill is one of them.

In August 2009, he woke up with a stroke. The first thing he noticed was his vision. He couldnt see half of his world and then his left side left him.

Something happened with my left leg. I fell down, he said. I couldnt feel my left knee.

The problem was in the brain.

A stroke most commonly happens because of a blocked artery. Part of the brain dies from a lack of oxygen and blood flow. Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability.

Read the original post:
Researchers Testing Stem Cells As Treatment For Stroke Recovery

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

ALPHARETTA, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

SANUWAVE Health, Inc. (SNWV), today announced the publication of peer-reviewed, preclinical research that demonstrates the ability of the Companys Extracorporeal Shock Wave Technology (ESWT) to stimulate proliferation of periosteal adult stem cells (cambium cells) within the body and subsequently form bone. In addition, the combination of ESWT-proliferated adult stem cells and a bioactive scaffold regenerated more bone than a bioactive scaffold alone.

The publication, titled The Use of Extracorporeal Shock Wave-Stimulated Periosteal Cells for Orthotopic Bone Regeneration, appeared in the online edition of Tissue Engineering, Part A as an ePublication ahead of print. The abstract of the publication can be viewed online at: http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/ten.TEA.2011.0573.

Led by Myron Spector, M.D., a professor and researcher at Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, the authors stated, This study investigated a novel approach for treatment of bone loss, which has potential for many clinical situations where bone apposition is required (e.g., vertical ridge augmentation, regrowing bone following tumor resection, and regenerating bone lost at sites of osteolysis or bone degeneration).

The cambium cells of the periosteum (outer membrane covering bone) currently have limited suitability for clinical applications in their native state due to their low cell number (only 2 to 5 cells thick). However, ESWT has been shown to cause a rapid increase in periosteal cambium cell numbers and subsequent periosteal osteogenesis (bone formation). The advantages of adding a scaffold as we did in this study are threefold: the scaffold contours the new bone, it helps maintain bone at the implant site, and it creates a space to allow the periosteal cells to further proliferate and fill the scaffold.

The authors concluded, The ESWT-stimulated samples of tibial bone outperformed the control group in all key outcome variables, and the study results therefore demonstrated the efficacy of ESWT-stimulated periosteum for bone generation. These results successfully demonstrated the efficacy of periosteum stimulated by ESWT technology for bone generation.

In the first phase of this research, the authors successfully demonstrated that ESWT increased the thickness of the cambium layer surrounding bone and the number of cambium cells within that layer. This proliferation of adult stem cells is an important part of many tissue engineering strategies. Then, in a novel second phase, the authors combined the ESWT-proliferated adult stem cells with a porous calcium phosphate scaffold that is commonly utilized in clinical applications to stimulate bone regeneration. A comparator control group received the scaffold alone with no prior ESWT treatment. The results were statistically significant and favored the ESWT group. In fact, at two weeks post-surgery, there was a significant increase in all key outcome variables for bone growth favoring the group that received ESWT prior to being combined with a scaffold compared with the group that received only the scaffold.

Summary of Key Study Findings

About SANUWAVE Health, Inc. SANUWAVE Health, Inc. (www.sanuwave.com) is an emerging regenerative medicine company focused on the development and commercialization of noninvasive, biological response activating devices for the repair and regeneration of tissue, musculoskeletal and vascular structures. SANUWAVEs portfolio of products and product candidates activate biologic signaling and angiogenic responses, including new vascularization and microcirculatory improvement, helping to restore the bodys normal healing processes and regeneration. SANUWAVE intends to apply its PACE technology in wound healing, orthopedic/spine, plastic/cosmetic and cardiac conditions. Its lead product candidate for the global wound care market, dermaPACE, is CE marked and has Canadian device license approval for the treatment of the skin and subcutaneous soft tissue. In the U.S., dermaPACE is currently under the FDAs Premarket Approval (PMA) review process for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. SANUWAVE researches, designs, manufactures, markets and services its products worldwide, and believes it has demonstrated that its technology is safe and effective in stimulating healing in chronic conditions of the foot (plantar fasciitis) and the elbow (lateral epicondylitis) through its U.S. Class III PMA approved Ossatron device, as well as stimulating bone and chronic tendonitis regeneration in the musculoskeletal environment through the utilization of its Ossatron, Evotron and orthoPACE devices in Europe.

Forward-Looking Statements This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, such as statements relating to financial results and plans for future business development activities, and are thus prospective. Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not statements of historical fact regarding intent, belief or current expectations of the Company, its directors or its officers. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Companys ability to control. Actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Among the key risks, assumptions and factors that may affect operating results, performance and financial condition are risks associated with the marketing of the Companys product candidates and products, unproven pre-clinical and clinical development activities, regulatory oversight, the Companys ability to manage its capital resource issues, competition, and the other factors discussed in detail in the Companys periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement.

The rest is here:
SANUWAVE Technology Shown to Proliferate Stem Cells and Form Bone

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith