BOSTON, MA--(Marketwire -06/25/12)- When it comes to disease, few are crueler than ALS. Approximately 5,600 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with ALS each year. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. The motor neurons reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the body. The progressive degeneration of the motor neurons in ALS eventually leads to their death. The life expectancy is 2-5 years from the time of diagnosis. When the motor neurons die, the ability of the brain to initiate and control muscle movement is lost. Most ALS patients expire from suffocation while suffering no cognitive depreciation. Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics Inc., trading on the Over the Counter Bulletin Board in the United States, is leading the fight to finding a cure for ALS with its NurOwn proprietary technology. The NurOwn technology is changing the field of regenerative medicine by reprogramming bone marrow derived from mesenchymal stem cells into neuron-supporting cells. The axon terminals (nerve cells ending) will take up neurotrophic factors secreted by the transplanted cells into the muscles or the spinal cord and transport them … Continue reading →

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/skdhnn/translational_rege) has announced the addition of the "Translational Regenerative Medicine - Oncology, CNS and Cardiovascular-Rich Pipeline Features Innovative Stem Cell and Gene Therapy Applications" report to their offering. More Guidelines Needed to Grow Regenerative Medicine Market, Report Finds Standardized research guidelines are needed to control and encourage the development of gene therapy and stem cell treatments, according to a new report by healthcare experts GBI Research. The new report* shows how regenerative medicine is seen as an area with high future potential, as countries need ways to cope with the burden of an aging population. The stem cell market alone is predicted to grow to around $5.1 billion by 2014, while gene therapy has also shown promise despite poor understanding of some areas of regenerative medicine and a lack of major approvals (the only approvals to date being made in Asia). Up until now, securing research within clinics has been difficult, with a high number of failures and discontinuations throughout all phases of clinical study. Stem cell therapy uses bone marrow transplants as an established treatment method, but the development of the therapy into further applications and has not yet become common practice. Similarly, tissue … Continue reading →

NEW YORK, June 25, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NeoStem, Inc. (NYSE MKT:NBS) ("NeoStem" or the "Company"), a cell therapy company, today announced that it has been awarded a two year grant totaling $595,252 for the "Development of Human, Autologous, Pluripotent Very Small Embryonic Like (VSELs) Stem Cells as a Countermeasure to Radiation Threat" from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), a division of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This peer reviewed grant was awarded to support research to be headed by Denis O. Rodgerson, Ph.D., Director of Stem Cell Science for NeoStem and Mariusz Ratajczak, M.D., Ph.D., who is the head of the Stem Cell Biology Program at the James Graham Brown Cancer Center at the University of Louisville and co-inventor of VSELTM Technology. This award will fund studies to investigate the potential of very small embryonic-like stem cells as a countermeasure to radiological and nuclear threat. The product candidate, which is an autologous stem cell therapy derived from the patient's own stem cells, will be developed to rescue patients who have been exposed to radiation due to nuclear accident or terrorist threat and to treat cancer patients who have undergone radiation therapy and who consequently … Continue reading →

SUNRISE, Fla., June 25, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bioheart, Inc. (BHRT.OB) announced today that Kristin Comella, the company's Chief Science Officer presented at the 10th Annual Meeting of the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) in Yokohama, Japan June 13 - 16, 2012. One of the world's premier stem cell research events, the ISSCR format includes international research and poster presentations from invited speakers, exceptional peer-to-peer learning and unparalleled networking opportunities. Comella presented a poster on clinical applications of adipose or fat derived stem cells (ADSCs). The ISSCR annual meeting serves as the largest forum for stem cell and regenerative medicine professionals from around the world. Through lectures, symposia, workshops, and events attendees experience innovative stem cell and regenerative medicine research, advances and what's on the horizon. The meeting features more than 1,000 abstracts, nearly 150 speakers and provides numerous networking and professional development opportunities and social events. For additional information, visit http://www.isscr.org. Kristin Comella has over 14 years experience in corporate entities with expertise in regenerative medicine, training and education, research, product development and senior management including more than 10 years of cell culturing experience. She has made a significant contribution to Bioheart's product development, manufacturing and quality … Continue reading →

PRESS RELEASE For immediate release: 25 June 2012 Neurological Foundation of New Zealand 2012 ANNUAL APPEAL PUBLIC LECTURE SERIES THE NEUROLOGICAL FOUNDATION PRESENTS FREE PUBLIC LECTURE Post-Stroke Protection & Repair: Moving Forward in the 21st Century EXCLUSIVE PUBLIC LECTURE, NO BOOKINGS REQUIRED Presented by neuroscientist Dr Andrew Clarkson Senior Research Fellow Department of Anatomy, University of Otago 2011 Neurological Foundation Repatriation Fellow Injuries to the brain or spinal cord from stroke, trauma or neurodegenerative disease result in the loss of limb function with limited potential for recovery. Currently, there is no effective drug treatment to promote recovery from stroke and the main treatment used following a stroke is physical therapy. Patients embark on a long, hard process in order to regain some normal limb function. Scientists have recently discovered novel pathways in the brain associated with recovery after injury. Dr Andrew Clarkson will explain this exciting discovery and discuss the mechanisms of sprouting new connections in the brain and the unmasking of silent brain cells that aid in functional recovery. FREE WEDNESDAY 4 JULY 2012 NO BOOKINGS REQUIRED 10.30AM TO 12NOON BALLROOM, NAPIER WAR MEMORIAL CONFERENCE CENTRE 48 MARINE PARADE, NAPIER http://www.neurological.org.nz/news-events/events This FREE lecture is part of the Neurological … Continue reading →