Advocates for patients with sickle cell anemia at the Ottawa Hospital say they want to see to see a pilot project that provides extra care extended into a permanent program. The Ottawa Hospital Academic Medical Organization funded the one-year grant to pay for the salary of a nurse who coordinates the care or 100 patients with sickle cell anemia, a genetic blood disorder that can lead to a number of health complications. Funding for the project ends in August and patients are worried it won't continue. Unita Louis, whose 33-year-old son has had sickle cell anemia all his life, said she can see the difference since the nurse, Kim Franchina, was hired. Louis said each patient with sickle cell anemia has different symptoms, and her own son struggles with muscle weakness, an enlarged heart and intense pain. "Having Kim as the nurse guiding the doctors and the nurses in the emergency room has made a tremendous impact on both patient and staff," said Louis. Franchina is not allowed to speak about the program. But Dr. Robert Klaassen at CHEO is an advocate for her position and said these patients need the extra care. "One treatment that we give to a … Continue reading →

SUNRISE, Fla., Feb. 28, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bioheart, Inc. (BHRT.OB) announced that the company will conduct the ANGEL trial using adipose (fat) derived stem cell technology or LipiCell(TM) at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. Bioheart recently applied to the FDA to begin trials using adipose derived stem cells in patients with chronic ischemic cardiomyopathy. "Dr. Joshua Hare and the University of Miami are world leaders in the field of stem cell research," said Mike Tomas, President and CEO of Bioheart. "We look forward to working with these acclaimed experts and bringing the LipiCell(TM) technology to patients in the U.S." The clinical protocol of the ANGEL trial is designed to assess the safety and cardiovascular effects of intramyocardial implantation of autologous adipose derived stem cells (LipiCell(TM)) in patients with chronic ischemic cardiomyopathy. Joshua Hare, MD, Director of the Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine is the principle investigator of the clinical program. The Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute was established to capitalize on pioneering work in the use of adult stem cells for the repair of malfunctioning human organs. The goal of the Institute is to find new treatments for heart … Continue reading →

CENTENNIAL, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Cell>Point today announced that it had entered into a licensing agreement for the countries of South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Vietnam, and the Philippines with HYUN IMC Co., Ltd., headquartered in Seoul, South Korea. The license agreement covers the kit manufacture, marketing and distribution of Cell>Points cancer and cardiology imaging product based on its EthylenediCysteine-n-acetyl-Glucosamine (EC-G) technology platform. Specifically, the product is technetium-99m-labeled EC-G (99mTc-EC-G). In addition, HYUN IMC will be responsible for sponsoring clinical studies and seeking regulatory approval in each of the countries covered by the license. Cell>Point will receive an upfront payment, and development and regulatory milestone payments, as well as royalties on gross sales from HYUN IMC. We are confident that HYUN IMC will be an excellent partner that will affiliate with one of the leading Korean pharmaceutical companies to assist in the marketing of 99mTc-EC-G, said Greg Colip, Cell>Point CEO. The five Asia Pacific countries comprise approximately 296 million people, according to the CIA World Factbook. The company has already completed a Brazil license for the product, reaching Brazils 206 million citizens and the second fastest-growing market globally, behind only China, according to healthcare industry information provider IMS Health. 99mTc-EC-G, invented at The … Continue reading →

CENTENNIAL, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Cell>Point today announced that it had entered into a licensing agreement for the countries of South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Vietnam, and the Philippines with HYUN IMC Co., Ltd., headquartered in Seoul, South Korea. The license agreement covers the kit manufacture, marketing and distribution of Cell>Points cancer and cardiology imaging product based on its EthylenediCysteine-n-acetyl-Glucosamine (EC-G) technology platform. Specifically, the product is technetium-99m-labeled EC-G (99mTc-EC-G). In addition, HYUN IMC will be responsible for sponsoring clinical studies and seeking regulatory approval in each of the countries covered by the license. Cell>Point will receive an upfront payment, and development and regulatory milestone payments, as well as royalties on gross sales from HYUN IMC. We are confident that HYUN IMC will be an excellent partner that will affiliate with one of the leading Korean pharmaceutical companies to assist in the marketing of 99mTc-EC-G, said Greg Colip, Cell>Point CEO. The five Asia Pacific countries comprise approximately 296 million people, according to the CIA World Factbook. The company has already completed a Brazil license for the product, reaching Brazils 206 million citizens and the second fastest-growing market globally, behind only China, according to healthcare industry information provider IMS Health. 99mTc-EC-G, invented at The … Continue reading →

SAN DIEGO, CA and PORTLAND, OR--(Marketwire -02/28/12)- Medistem Inc. (Pinksheets: MEDS.PK - News) announced today its Annual "Evening with Medistem" Event will take place in Portland, Oregon on March 7th, 2012. The event is being hosted by Vladimir Zaharchook, Vice Chairman at Medistem, Inc., and will feature stem cell luminaries and pioneers working with Medistem including Dr. Amit Patel, Director of Regenerative Medicine at University of Utah and the first person to administer stem cells into patients with heart failure, Dr. Michael Murphy, Vascular Surgeon at Indiana University and Principal Investigator for Medistem's FDA clinical trial in patients with risk of amputation, and Dr. Alan Lewis, former CEO of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, advisory board member of Medistem. In 2007 Medistem discovered an entirely new type of stem cell, the Endometrial Regenerative Cell (ERC). This cell has proven it is a "universal donor" and can be used to treat many more conditions compared to other types of stem cells. The company received FDA clearance to begin clinical trials in September of 2011 for critical limb ischemia, a condition that is associated with amputation. Medistem is also running a Phase II clinical trial for heart failure using the new stem … Continue reading →