Monthly Archives: March 2012

NEW YORK, March 20, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NeoStem, Inc. (NYSE Amex:NBS) ("NeoStem" or "the Company") is a leader in the cell therapy industry, developing cell based therapeutics supported by the Company's expertise in contract manufacturing. This strategic combination and depth of experience in cell therapy development and manufacturing provide NeoStem with unique capabilities to develop its own cell therapies and that sets the Company apart from others in the cell therapy landscape. 2011 represented a major year of strategic transition for NeoStem, and the Company plans to build upon that in 2012 and in the years ahead. NeoStem reported its audited results for 2011. Consolidated revenues for the year ended December 31, 2011 were $73.7 million compared to $69.8 million for 2010. The Company's consolidated net loss for 2011 was $56.6 million, which included $10.3 million of non-cash equity-based compensation expense, $19.4 million of goodwill impairment charges and $9.0 million of depreciation and amortization. Overall, the Company's consolidated cash loss for 2011 was $15.5 million (see reconciliation below). Net loss attributable to NeoStem common shareholder interests for 2011 was $47.8 million, or $0.54 per share. As of December 31, 2011, the Company had consolidated cash and cash equivalents of … Continue reading →

SILVER SPRING, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Nuvilex, Inc. (OTCQB:NVLX), an emerging biotechnology provider of cell and gene therapy solutions through its acquisition of the SG Austria assets, today discussed the value of encapsulation, freezing, storage, survivability and localization of human stem cells once implanted using the proprietary Cell-in-a-Box technology. The encapsulation of human stem cells is enabled by the Cell-in-a-Box technology, which can then be frozen, stored and later implanted into target tissues. The benefits of encapsulation are several: first, the process allows for freezing of stem cells for long-term storage without appreciably affecting viability. Second, encapsulation protects the stem cells from stress factors caused by direct aeration and sheer forces associated with bioreactors. Third, Cell-in-a-Box encapsulated stem cells are held in place at the site of implantation, maximizing their potential efficacy as they have the potential to stimulate growth of surrounding new, healthy tissue. Finally, encapsulated cells may prevent any potential side effects associated with direct injection since they remain localized to the area of treatment when encapsulated. Dr. Robert Ryan, Chief Executive Officer of Nuvilex, commented, For many years it was assumed stem cells existed only to replace cells that had died or were damaged. Recent studies suggest factors stem … Continue reading →

Pluristem Therapeutics Ltd. (Nasdaq:PSTI; DAX: PJT: PLTR) today announced that its PLacental eXpanded (PLX) cells improve several parameters in acute myocardial infarction (heart attacks) in animals. The preclinical trial was conducted at the Center for Regenerative Therapies in Germany. The trial included 20 mice, which were given induced heart attacks. Half the mice were then given either PLX cells, and the other half were given a cell-free medium as a control. Five other mice underwent a sham (placebo) operation. After four weeks, the mice underwent an ECG, and were then killed for a physical examination of their hearts. The mice which received PLX had improved cardiac muscle function compared with the control group. Study leader Prof. Christof Stamm said, "As a cardiac surgeon, the unique ability demonstrated by Pluristem's PLX cells for the treatment of heart disease is very exciting." He added, "PLX cells showed promising results in the AMI studies." Pluristem chairman and CEO Zami Aberman said, "These results demonstrate the potential benefits of our cells for use in the treatment of ischemic heart disease, a multi-billion dollar annual market, and one in which many pharmaceutical companies are constantly looking to provide patients with innovative and effective solutions. In … Continue reading →

2nd Lee Co. doctor's license restricted in stem cell case FORT MYERS, Fla.- Another Lee County doctor is caught in the center of a stem cell controversy. The State Department of Health has issued an emergency license restriction to Dr. Konstantine Yankopolus, a general practitioner. Dr. Yankopolus is still allowed to practice general medicine and is treating patients. The license restriction mandates he can't do anything involving stem cell treatment. It's business as usual at his office on Colonial Blvd. The doctor is still treating patients, but an emergency order issued from the Florida Department of Health, Monday prevents him from doing anything with stem cells. The order says Dr. Yankopolus' license "is hereby immediately restricted from providing, collaborating, facilitating, procuring, referring or advising on any stem cell treatment." The action comes after the state suspended the license of his colleague, Dr. Zannos Grekos' earlier this month. The emergency order says Dr. Yankopolus helped Dr. Grekos perform stem cell therapy on the late Richard Polling despite knowing the Bonita Springs cardiologist was not allowed to do such a procedure. The state Surgeon General alleges, Dr. Yankopolus falsified Polling's records. He writes, "Subsequent to the death of patient R.P., Dr. Yankopolus … Continue reading →

LEE COUNTY, FL - A Fort Myers doctor's license has been restricted for allegedly assisting Dr. Zannos Grekos in a stem cell procedure on a patient who died. Dr. Konstantine Yankopolus is restricted from performing or assisting in any stem cell procedures. The Emergency Restriction Order alleges Yankopolus knew that Grekos' was restricted from providing any stem cell treatment, yet agreed to assist Grekos in performing a stem cell treatment. The patient who received the alleged stem cell treatment went into cardiac arrest during the procedure at Grekos' office, then died later at the hospital. Yankopolus is also accused of entering a false medical progress note in the patient's chart falsely indicating no stem cell preparation was infused, the ERO states. Yankopolus prepared an addendum on March 11 that indicates the stem cell preparation was infused leading to the patient's cardiac arrest and death, according to the ERO. Dr. Yankopolus says he would do the procedure again if he had the chance. "He was at the tail-end of his life. We offered him an option to extend that," Dr. Yankopolus said. "We have dealt with such people in the past, and they've done well." Yankopolus admits he knew Dr. Grekos … Continue reading →

TUESDAY, March 20 (HealthDay News) -- A novel technique that uses a kidney transplant recipient's own stem cells may someday replace or reduce the initial use of anti-rejection medications, new research suggests. Six months after receiving a kidney transplant, only about 8 percent of people given their own mesenchymal stem cells experienced rejection compared with almost 22 percent of people on the standard anti-rejection drugs, according to the study. "Mesenchymal stem cells are stem cells that can be differentiated into a variety of cells," explained Dr. Camillo Ricordi, study senior author and director of the Cell Transplant Center and Diabetes Research Institute at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. "If you infuse mesenchymal stem cells at the time of the transplant, you could replace the use of powerful anti-rejection drugs, and maybe replace immunosuppressants altogether," he said. This technique could be used in the transplantation of islet cells (in the pancreas) for people with type 1 diabetes, and for other organ transplants, such as the liver, he added. The people given their own stem cells also had improved kidney function earlier after transplant, Ricordi said. Results of the study appear in the March 21 issue of the Journal … Continue reading →