By Ryan Flinn - 2012-09-13T20:06:09Z Neuralstem Inc. (CUR), a biotechnology company with no approved products, gained the most ever after saying its stem cell treatment restored paralyzed rats ability to move in an early study. Neuralstem rose 38 percent to $1.38 at the close of trading in New York, its largest single-day gain since the shares first started trading in December 2006. The Rockville, Maryland-based companys stock has gained 43 percent this year. Researchers severed the spinal vertebrae of 12 rats, then gave half of them Neuralstems stem cells a week after the injury, according to the study published today in the journal Cell. The rats that received the injections gained significant locomotor recovery, according to a company statement. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration placed a hold on Neuralstems proposed human trial to treat spinal cord injury in October 2010, according to a company filing. We think that this paper is the last piece of the puzzle to get the FDA to take our spinal cord injury trial off hold, Richard Garr, chief executive officer, said in an interview. Neuralstem also is testing its therapy in early human clinical trials for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, known as Lou Gehrigs disease, … Continue reading →

Sept. 15, 2012, midnight A GERMAN shepherd is the Borders first pet to have stem-cell therapy. The three-year-old has a painful congenital joint condition called osteo-chondrosis that has led to arthritis. After surgery and other therapies fell short, owners Nick and Myfanwy Magelakis investigated alternatives to give Rolf a chance to be a normal animal, Stem-cell therapy doesnt come cheap each treatment costs $500 a dose, excluding the cost of anaesthetic and vet charges. But Dr Magelakis, an Albury dentist, said he was philosophical about the hefty bill. Although humans technically have dominion over this planet, we have a duty to look after animals and care for them, Dr Magelakis said yesterday. Its heartbreaking to see a dog not being able to walk, yelping in pain and looking up at you for help. Stem cells were injected into both of Rolfs knees this week in what was a straight-forward day procedure at Alburys Family Vet Centre. Veterinarian Nadine Miller said while scientists were still learning how stem cells worked, they knew they stimulate healing of the joint by helping new connective tissue to form. See the article here: Stem cells to ease pet pain … Continue reading →

SALT LAKE CITY, Sept. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Amedica Corporation, a spinal and reconstructive implant manufacturer, announced today the publication of two peer-reviewed studies conducted at Brown University that demonstrate the superior osteointegration and bacterial-resistant properties of its proprietary Silicon Nitride (Si3N4) biomaterial when compared to poly-ether-ether-ketone (PEEK) or titanium (Ti). In related news, the company also announced the expansion of biomaterial property claims for its line of FDA 510(k) cleared interbody fusion devices. Spine and orthopedic surgeons have historically relied on allograft bone, metal and plastic implants to aid in spine fusions and joint replacements. Implants have traditionally been comprised of materials that are resistant to host immune mechanisms and systemic antibiotics, creating an environment for significant bacterial growth. As a result, functional implants can become colonized with bacteria, which may reduce fusion rates or cause serious infection. Treating implant-related infection is costly and generally requires extensive repeat surgery that may extend suffering and disability for patients. The in-vitro data from the journal article titled, "Decreased Bacteria Activity on Si3N4 Surfaces Compared with PEEK or Titanium," which appears in the International Journal of Nanomedicine 2012:7 1-12 reports that Silicon Nitride is far less vulnerable to bacterial colonization (S. epidermidis, S. … Continue reading →

SALT LAKE CITY, Sept. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Amedica Corporation, a spinal and reconstructive implant manufacturer, announced today the expansion of biomaterial claims for its FDA 510(k)-cleared Valeo Interbody Fusion Devices. The expansion of these claims focus on the innate properties of the Company's proprietary Silicon Nitride (Si3N4) biomaterial, which has been proven to provide superior osteointegration and anti-infective capabilities when compared to products comprised of poly-ether-ether-ketone (PEEK) or titanium (Ti). The expanded labeling for Amedica's Silicon Nitride technology will drive the evolution of the standard of care for patients suffering from back pain requiring spinal fusion. The expansion of the biomaterial claims is based on data published in peer-reviewed journal articles in Acta Biomaterialia and the International Journal of Nanomedicine, demonstrating superior new bone formation, and osteointegration, as well as anti-infective properties of Silicon Nitride in comparison to PEEK and titanium. Additional details can be found in a related announcement also released today. With mounting pressure on physicians and hospitals to provide the highest possible quality of care, spine surgeons have become increasingly aware of the material characteristics of PEEK and titanium, the most commonly used biomaterials for spinal devices. In both studies, PEEK and titanium developed a biofilm … Continue reading →

Researchers at the University of Sheffield in the UK have been able to restore the hearing of deaf gerbils using stem cells, they reported yesterday in the journal Nature. If it works in humans, this new therapeutic strategy could improve the lives of people that are hard-of-hearing. There are different types of deafness, but this research focuses on auditory neuropathy. This disorder occurs when sound enters the inner ear normally but the signals created by the ear are lost along the way to the brain. In the ear, sound waves are translated into electrical signals when they vibrate tiny hair cells in your inner ear. Loss or damage of these hair cells and the brain cells they communicate with make hearing difficult. The animals were deafened in one ear using a drug to destroy their auditory nerves before receiving an injection of around 50,000 human embryonic stem cells, which had previously been treated with chemicals to coax them into becoming ear cells. Gerbils were used because of they hear a similar sound range as humans. After the treatment the researchers looked for brain signals created in response to sounds to detect improvement: Some gerbils restored up to 90 percent of … Continue reading →

A UK study in the journal Nature reports that deaf gerbils have had their hearing restored following a human stem cell treatment. The researchers at the University of Sheffield, including Dr. Marcelo Rivolta, aimed to replace damaged nerve cells, called spiral ganglion neurons, that are unable to convert sound waves in the air into electrical signals to your brain. Roughly one in 10 people with profound hearing loss have this auditory damage, according to the LA Times. The researchers used stem cells from a human embryo, added that to a "chemical soup," as the BBC referred to it, that converted them into cells similar to the spiral ganglion neurons. The cells were then injected into the inner ears of 18 gerbils. Over the course of the 10 week study the gerbils' hearing improved by an average of 45 percent. Rivolta told the BBC, "It would mean going from being so deaf that you wouldn't be able to hear a lorry or truck in the street to the point where you would be able to hear a conversation. It is not a complete cure, they will not be able to hear a whisper, but they would certainly be able to maintain … Continue reading →