SAN DIEGO, CA--(Marketwire - Dec 4, 2012) - Invivoscribe Technologies, Inc., a privately-held life science company based in San Diego, California, announces the launch of Genection, Inc. Genection provides physicians with a dedicated online platform for global access to the entire clinically-actionable genetic test menu, including both routine and esoteric genetic tests, exome and whole genome sequencing, cancer somatic mutation testing, and pharmacogenomics. Genection's model is not payor driven, so prescribing physicians have access to genetic tests that may currently be unavailable, overlooked, or even inaccessible through their patients' managed care plans and health care institutions. Combine this comprehensive genetic test offering with convenient online ordering, seamless linking of multiple CLIA and CAP accredited laboratories for reporting and interpretation and integrated service offerings such as next generation sequencing and advanced bioinformatics in a singular location and Genection is streamlining the entire diagnostic pipeline. "Genection is a valuable tool in the personalized molecular medicine landscape. Clinicians spend too much of their time identifying and ordering clinically relevant genetic tests, while struggling to keep abreast of the flood of clinical information around new biomarkers," said Bradley Patay, M.D., Genection's Chief Medical Officer. "In addition to thebroad selectionof genetic tests available to order … Continue reading →

PHOENIX, Dec. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Phoenix Children's Hospital announced the creation of the Ronald A. Matricaria Institute of Molecular Medicine today, with the goal to unlock genetic codes and develop drug therapies in real time to improve the outcome for thousands of young patients. To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click: http://www.multivu.com/mnr/59399-phoenix-children-s-hospital-visionary-institute-of-molecular-medicine (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121205/MM23568) "Our goal is to bring genomics research to the forefront of pediatrics," said Robert L. Meyer, Phoenix Children's president and CEO. "Research and development of novel treatments for pediatric diseases has fallen short over past decades." According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute,70 percent of all medications prescribed to children have been tested only in adults. Clinical studies in children lead to a better understanding of the specific differences between children and adults, thus leading to the development of safer, more effective, and age-appropriate treatments. "We also must address a fundamental flaw in traditional and personalized medicine diagnosis and treatment of a disease based on clinical instead of genomic information," Meyer noted. Molecular, or personalized, medicine uses genetic information to determine the right treatment for the right patient at the right time. By studying a patient's genetic makeup, researchers … Continue reading →

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/6kl7tg/stem_cell_and) has announced the addition of the "Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine" book to their offering. The potential use of stem cells in transplantation for the purpose of tissue regeneration is an exciting area of research currently undergoing rapid development. Implantation of human embryonic or autologous, ex vivo-expanded adult stem cells, particularly in older individuals, could circumvent the limited availability of organs/tissues as well as prevent complications related to immune rejection and disease transmission. Musculoskeletal tissue degeneration is closely associated with aging. Strategies employing autologous adult MSCs from older individuals for transplantation in order to regenerate their own ailing organ or tissues require that we vigorously define MSCs capacity to maintain growth potential and differentiation potential into the desirable cell lineages. We are currently restricted by the limited knowledge about physical parameters, such as biomechanical forces, that influence MSC growth and differentiation capacities. This is particularly important for MSCs isolated from older individuals, for whom little information is available. This special volume aims to serve as an impetus in generating more interest among stem cell researchers and biotechnologists to improve and develop the cell-based therapies of damaged tissue using stem cells. Topics Covered: Foreword Preface … Continue reading →

GULF SHORES, Ala., Dec. 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --More than 75 percent of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients who received neural reprogrammed stem cell therapy have shown a positive response to the procedure. The groundbreaking technique was introduced to the United States this year by Precision StemCell (http://www.precisionstemcell.com), an outpatient imaging and image-guided treatment facility located in Gulf Shores, Ala. The procedure is performed by Dr. Jason R. Williams, a board-certified radiologist with extensive training in image-guided procedures. Under his care, 14 out of 18 patients diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, have shown signs of recovery. "The improvements are mild, with patients reporting improved movement, breathing and speech, but we still have a long way to go," Dr. Williams stated. "Only time will tell how this therapy will affect the patients' long-term prognosis." In Precision StemCell's neural reprogrammed stem cell therapy, fat-derived stem cells are injected into the spine of the patient. Dr. Williams uses a drug called selegeline, which has been shown to be a pre-inducer of adipose-derived stem cells into neural-like cells. Dr. Williams contends that the therapy is probably one of the largest advances seen in ALS therapy. "Before we started this therapy, I … Continue reading →

ALAMEDA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- BioTime, Inc. (NYSE MKT: BTX), a biotechnology company that develops and markets products in the field of regenerative medicine, announced that Chief Executive Officer Michael D. West, Ph.D. will provide an update today on five products being developed by BioTime and its subsidiaries during a presentation at the World Stem Cell Summit 2012 in West Palm Beach, Florida in the session on Developing Combination Products: Cells, Genes, and Devices at 1:30 pm EST. The presentation will be made available on BioTime's website at http://www.biotimeinc.com. BioTimes technology platform utilizes pluripotent stem cells that are capable of differentiating into any of the cell types in the body to produce potentially novel first-in-class regenerative therapies for largely unsolved problems in medicine. Using the Companys proprietary ACTCellerateTM technology, BioTime has more than 200 novel and scalable cellular components of the human body. OTX-CP07 Update Dr. West will present for the first time information relating to 18 novel and diverse progenitor cell lines capable of differentiating into diverse cartilage and bone types, as well as producing cells with markers of tendon, and brain meningeal tissues. The cartilage progenitor formulation designated OTX-CP07 is being developed by BioTimes subsidiary OrthoCyte Corporation, and is currently … Continue reading →

GULF SHORES, Ala., Dec. 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --More than 75 percent of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients who received neural reprogrammed stem cell therapy have shown a positive response to the procedure. The groundbreaking technique was introduced to the United States this year by Precision StemCell (http://www.precisionstemcell.com), an outpatient imaging and image-guided treatment facility located in Gulf Shores, Ala. The procedure is performed by Dr. Jason R. Williams, a board-certified radiologist with extensive training in image-guided procedures. Under his care, 14 out of 18 patients diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, have shown signs of recovery. "The improvements are mild, with patients reporting improved movement, breathing and speech, but we still have a long way to go," Dr. Williams stated. "Only time will tell how this therapy will affect the patients' long-term prognosis." In Precision StemCell's neural reprogrammed stem cell therapy, fat-derived stem cells are injected into the spine of the patient. Dr. Williams uses a drug called selegeline, which has been shown to be a pre-inducer of adipose-derived stem cells into neural-like cells. Dr. Williams contends that the therapy is probably one of the largest advances seen in ALS therapy. "Before we started this therapy, I … Continue reading →

NEW YORK, NY and PETACH TIKVAH, ISRAEL--(Marketwire - Dec 4, 2012) - Sai Rosen of http://www.InvestorStemCell.com (Stem Cell Media, LLC) recently sat down with Dr. Adrian Harel, Chief Executive Officer for Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics Inc. ( OTCQB : BCLI ).Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics Inc. is a biotechnology company developing autologous stem cell therapies for highly debilitating neurodegenerative disorders, such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) (Lou Gehrig's disease), Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Parkinson's disease (PD) and Spinal Cord Injury. These diseases have limited treatment options and as such represent unmet medical needs. Dr. Harel has over 30 years' experience in international business development, marketing, clinical development, fund raising and building strategic partnerships. In January 2011, he came to Brainstorm and leveraged all his experience to transform the company from a struggling pre-clinical biotech to the world's leader in clinical stage neurodegenerative treatment for ALS.The company is nearing submission of an ALS Phase II, to be conducted at the renowned Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). During his interview, Dr. Harel shared the following information: Why are you interested in neurodegenerative disorders? Dr. Harel: "I became fascinated in this area of research while working at Proneuron Biotechnologies.We had created the 'world center' for paralysis.I had … Continue reading →