Image Credit: Canva - studioroman Often, after decades of intensive scientific research, even the most promising potential new therapies come down to a critical final phase: courageous people stepping forward to participate in a clinical trial. For Clinical Trials Day this year, we're celebrating a few of the many patients who inspire us, while highlighting … Continue reading What We Wish People Knew About Clinical Trialsย
How California Built a Global Powerhouse in Stem Cell and Gene Therapyย
A decision California voters made more than two decades ago helped build an unparalleled scientific ecosystemย that'sย now paying dividends for the state, according to Johnathan Thomas, the president and CEO of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM). "(California) is pretty much now the largest funder of stem cell and gene therapy research in the world," … Continue reading How California Built a Global Powerhouse in Stem Cell and Gene Therapyย
A treatmentย forย oneย rareย diseaseย but plansย for many moreย
Jordan Janz knows how lucky he is. It's been almost six years since Jordan volunteered to be patient number one in a clinical trial at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) to test a new treatment for cystinosis. People with this rare genetic disease accumulate the amino acid cystine in their organs. The toxic … Continue reading A treatmentย forย oneย rareย diseaseย but plansย for many moreย
Closer to Cures:ย Jamesย DeKloeย and CIRM traineesย discussย COMPASSย program
Written by Holly Alyssa MacCormick James DeKloe, a distinguished professor of biotechnology and bio-manufacturing at Solano Community College, knows firsthand the importance of life sciences. It why he's so passionate about the CIRM program at Solano Community College known as Creating Opportunities through Mentorship and Partnership Across Stem Cell Science, or COMPASS. It's personal Speaking at a recent presentation for the California … Continue reading Closer to Cures:ย Jamesย DeKloeย and CIRM traineesย discussย COMPASSย program
On a mission: A conversation with CIRM Board Vice Chair Maria Gonzalez Bonneville
Maria Gonzalez Bonneville is dedicated to improving health in California through her roles at the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM). Since joining in 2011, she focuses on making therapies accessible and affordable. Her personal connection to Parkinson's disease drives her mission, alongside her extensive political and scientific expertise.
Closer to Cures: Diana Farmer discusses clinical trials for spina bifida
written by Holly Alyssa MacCormick The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) helped fund a clinical trial that involved an experimental stem cell treatment for a frequently paralyzing form of spina bifida. Today, several of those babies are now able to walk and run unassisted.Babies with severe spina bifida are often treated with surgery after … Continue reading Closer to Cures: Diana Farmer discusses clinical trials for spina bifida
First therapy supported by CIRM approved by the FDAย
Image Credit: Canva stock images After 21 years (and a few months), the California Institute of Regenerative Medicineย (CIRM)ย has hit a major milestone with its FDA approved therapy. The promise of stem cells In 2004, whenย California voters created CIRMย to fundย research withย stem cells, which can divide to form many different tissues in the body. Stem cells heldย greatย potential,ย butย scientists … Continue reading First therapy supported by CIRM approved by the FDAย
CIRM fundedย clinicalย trialย givesย siblingsย a second chance at life
written by Holly Alyssa MacCormick Image Credit: The Langenhop Family Alicia Langenhop was seven months pregnant with her third child when she and her husband, Jon, learned that their two toddlers had a life-threatening immune disease called leukocyte adhesion deficiency-1 (LAD-1). One in a million LAD-1 is extremely rareโabout one in a million birthsโbut because … Continue reading CIRM fundedย clinicalย trialย givesย siblingsย a second chance at life
Stanford researcher Crystal Mackall discusses progress on rare cancers clinical trials
Written by Holly Alyssa MacCormick In 2023, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) funded a clinical trial led by Stanford researcher Crystal Mackall, MD, to investigate a possible therapy for rare brain and spinal tumors. Devastating cancers These cancers, that arise from a specific genetic mutation, known as H3K27M, are devastating. Each year, about … Continue reading Stanford researcher Crystal Mackall discusses progress on rare cancers clinical trials
Cory R. Nicholas shares update on epilepsy clinical trials
Written by Holly Alyssa MacCormick Cory R. Nicholas presenting at the January 29 ICOC board meeting About 3 million adults in the United States have epilepsy, including roughly 400,000 in California, according to the CDC. About one-third to one-half continue to have seizures that do not respond to available medications. Hope for those with epilepsy … Continue reading Cory R. Nicholas shares update on epilepsy clinical trials