Monkeys suffering from Parkinson's disease show a marked improvement when human embryonic stem cells are implanted in their brains, in what a Japanese researcher said Wednesday was a world first. A team of scientists transplanted the stem cells into four primates that were suffering from the debilitating disease. The monkeys all had violent shaking in their limbs -- a classic symptom of Parkinson's disease -- and were unable to control their bodies, but began to show improvements in their motor control after about three months, Kyoto University associate professor Jun Takahashi told AFP. About six months after the transplant, the creatures were able to walk around their cages, he said. "Clear improvements were confirmed in their movement," he said. Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurological illness linked to a decrease in dopamine production in the brain. There is currently no medical solution to this drop off in a key neurotransmitter. The condition, which generally affects older people, gained wider public recognition when Hollywood actor Michael J. Fox revealed he was a sufferer. Takahashi said at the time of the implant about 35 percent of the stem cells had already grown into dopamine neuron cells, with around 10 percent still alive … Continue reading →

AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Celling Biosciences announces a sponsorship of the 7th Annual Stem Cell Summit being held on February 21st at Bridgewaters New York in New York City. The Stem Cell Summit is consistently the premiere venue for the world's leaders in regenerative medicine to network and promote next generation technologies and cell therapies. The meeting will feature more than 30 thought leaders in stem cell therapy including Dr. Kenneth Pettine of the Orthopedic Stem Cell Institute in Loveland, Colorado.  Dr. Pettine has teamed up with Celling Biosciences' SpineSmith Division to present "Adult Stem Cell Therapy for Orthopedic and Spine Conditions Resulting from Injury or Aging."  Dr. Pettine has become an innovator in the regenerative cell therapy market and believes "regenerative therapies will become the next standard of care in treating many orthopedic conditions."  Following the Stem Cell Summit, Dr. Pettine will be presenting a discussion on regenerative therapies to the trainers and medical staff attending this year's NFL combine.  The NFL has recently gained attention from Peyton Manning going oversees to receive a cell therapy treatment for his cervical spine condition.  Dr. Pettine envisions a day when these professional athletes stop going to foreign countries to … Continue reading →

Washington, Feb 22 (ANI): A new chemical compound that has great potential for the possible treatment of brain damage caused by stroke has been designed and produced by researchers at the University of Copenhagen. The compound binds 1,000 times more effectively to the target protein in the brain than the potential drug currently being tested on stroke victims. Stroke causes the brain to release large amounts of glutamate, an activating signal compound, all at once. This overactivates the receptors in the surrounding healthy tissue, causing the level of calcium in the cells to rise dramatically. This then kick-starts a toxic chain reaction causing cell death. Scientists believe that this process is the cause of the brain damage that occurs in the wake of a stroke. Therefore they are looking for compounds that can limit cell death. "Research on animal models shows that the new compound we have designed and produced reduces the dead area in the brain after a stroke by 40 per cent. In addition, we can show that our compound is far more biologically effective than the potential drug currently being tested in clinical trials," explained Anders Bach, medicinal chemist and postdoc at the Faculty of Health and … Continue reading →

WALTHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Repligen Corporation (NASDAQ:RGEN - News) today reported preliminary financial results for the quarter and nine-month fiscal period ended December 31, 2011. These results reflect significant accomplishments of the Company during the period, highlighted by the completion of our acquisition of Novozymes Biopharma Sweden AB on December 20, 2011 and the successful filing of the Company’s first new drug application (NDA) for SecreFlo™ on December 21, 2011. These preliminary results include estimates of the results of operations from December 21- December 31, 2011 for our new subsidiary Repligen Sweden AB (previously Novozymes Biopharma Sweden AB), but exclude any purchase accounting adjustments associated with the acquisition. The Company was able to acquire the net assets of Novozymes Biopharma Sweden AB at a purchase price significantly below the fair market value of the acquired net assets, thus the Company anticipates recording a gain on bargain purchase once purchase accounting is completed. Total revenue for the quarter ended December 31, 2011 is expected to be approximately $7.2 million compared to total revenue of $7.1 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2010. Bioprocessing product revenue for the quarter ended December 31, 2011 is anticipated to be $3.1 million, the same as … Continue reading →