TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - May 16, 2013) - Stem Cell Therapeutics Corp. (TSX VENTURE:SSS), a biopharmaceutical company developing cancer stem cell-related technologies, today announced that the Company's stock will trade on OTCQX International under the symbol "SCTPF" starting May 20. OTCQX is the premier U.S. Over-The-Counter marketplace, allowing international companies increased access and exposure to the U.S. market. Roth Capital Partners will be the market maker for Stem Cell Therapeutics' stock and will also serve as the Company's Principal American Liaison (PAL) on OTCQX, responsible for providing guidance on OTCQX requirements and U.S. securities laws. Roth Capital Partners is an investment banking firm dedicated to the small-cap public market and has been an innovator in this market since its inception in 1984. "The U.S. capital markets are critically important in assuring viability of life sciences companies internationally and we undertake this step as part of a deliberate and long-term strategy," commented Stem Cell Therapeutics' Chairman David Allan. "The admission to the OTCQX is one of several undertakings that the company committed to complete this year. The acquisition of Trillium, the in-licensing of the tigecycline program and the recent completion of dosing in the interstitial cystitis trial are among the others." About … Continue reading →

Stem cell company Cell Cure Neurosciences has been awarded a NIS 5.34 million (about $1.5 million) grant for 2013 from Israels Chief Scientist at the Ministry of the Economy (formerly Industry, Trade and Labor). The grant will help finance the development of OpRegen, a cell-based therapeutic product being developed by Cell Cure Neurosciences for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration. The company plans completing preclinical testing of OpRegen and filing an application to commence human clinical trials in 2014. Cell Cure CEO Dr. Charles Irving said, "The dry form of age-related macular degeneration is one of the leading diseases of aging and is estimated to afflict over 7.3 million people in the US alone. We anticipate that OpRegen will make a real difference in the quality of life of the aging baby-boom generation in many industrialized countries, and hence it is a strategic investment for the world as a whole. Cell Cure is developing therapeutic cells for the treatment of retinal and neural degenerative disease. Founded in 2005, the company's technology platform is based on manufacturing diverse cell products sourced from clinical grade human embryonic stem cells. In 2010, BioTime acquired a majority interest in Cell Cure and has made … Continue reading →

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - May 16, 2013) - Stem Cell Therapeutics Corp. (TSX VENTURE:SSS), a biopharmaceutical company developing cancer stem cell-related technologies, today announced that its wholly owned subsidiary Trillium Therapeutics has completed dosing in its Phase I study of TTI-1612 in patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS). The study was designed to assess the safety and tolerability of single ascending doses of TTI-1612 in IC/BPS patients. Pharmacokinetics and changes in disease symptoms were also evaluated. A total of 28 patients were enrolled at four urology clinics in Southern Ontario. Preliminary data indicate that the drug is well tolerated and exhibits a favourable pharmacokinetic profile. Full results are expected to be published at a later date. IC/BPS, also known as Painful Bladder Syndrome, is a chronic, debilitating and poorly treated bladder disease affecting millions of people. The disease is believed to develop as a result of dysfunction in the protective epithelial layer lining the bladder. TTI-1612, a locally-delivered recombinant growth factor, is being developed to correct the dysfunction and restore the bladder epithelium to a normal, healthy state. This urology program, acquired by Stem Cell Therapeutics through its recent merger with Trillium Therapeutics, targets an indication of high unmet need … Continue reading →

Many adults with epilepsy showed autistic traits Epileptic seizures disrupt the neurological function that affects social functioning in brains This results in the same traits seen in autism, such as impaired social interaction and communication By Anna Hodgekiss PUBLISHED: 18:35 EST, 15 May 2013 | UPDATED: 18:35 EST, 15 May 2013 A link between epilepsy and autism has been discovered for the first time. Breakthrough research from the University of Bath found adults with epilepsy have higher traits of autism and Asperger syndrome. It found epileptic seizures disrupt the neurological function that affects social functioning in brains, resulting in the same traits seen in autism. These characteristics include impairment in social interaction and communication as well as restricted and repetitive interests. Researchers found that epileptic seizures disrupt the neurological function that affects social functioning in brains, resulting in the same traits seen in autism SallyAnn Wakeford, a PhD student at the university's Department of Psychology, said the traits could be 'severe' and go unnoticed for many years, having a great impact on the lives of those experiencing them. Dr Wakeford said: 'The social difficulties in epilepsy have been so far under-diagnosed and research has not uncovered any underlying theory to … Continue reading →

This is part three of a three-part series looking at autism in Durham Region, including the services available and the experience of Durham families who have children with an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis. DURHAM - With early intervention touted as key to the success of autism therapy, Durham children may be missing out as they languish on wait lists. In Durham, children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) wait about six months for an assessment, one year for applied behaviour analysis (ABA) therapy and up to four years for intensive behaviour intervention (IBI) therapy. IBI consist of up to 40 hours a week of one-on-one treatment with a therapist and teaches children through positive reinforcement and repetition. ABA is less intensive, offered in weekly sessions over a two to six-month period. "The prime age for IBI is between two and six years old; when kids are older it may not be helpful," said Frances Donovan, program director for autism services at Kinark Child and Youth Services, which delivers IBI services in Durham. Launched in 2000, the Central East IBI program, which covers Durham, initially had capacity for 50 children. With the provincial government quadrupling autism spending to $186 million over the … Continue reading →