When CIRM was created in 2004 the field of stem cell research was still very much in its infancy. Fast forward 15 years and it’s moving ahead at a rapid pace, probably faster than most scientists would have predicted. How fast? Find out for yourself at a free public event at UC San Diego on May 28th from 12.30 to 1.30p.
In the last 15 years CIRM has funded 53 clinical trials in everything from heart disease and stroke, to spinal cord injury, vision loss, sickle cell disease and HIV/AIDS.
UCSD was one of the first medical centers chosen to host a CIRM Alpha Stem Cell Clinic – a specialist center with the experience and expertise to deliver stem cell therapies to patients – and to date is running more than a dozen clinical trials for breast cancer, heart failure, leukemia and chronic lower back pain.
Clearly progress is being made. But the field is also facing some challenges. Funding at the federal level for stem cell research is under threat, and CIRM is entering what could be its final phase. We have enough money left to fund new projects through this year (and these are multi-year projects so they will run into 2021 or 2022) but unless there is a new round of funding we will slowly disappear. And with us, may also disappear the hopes of some of the most promising projects underway.
If CIRM goes, then projects that we have supported and nurtured through different phases of research may struggle to make it into a clinical trial because they can’t get the necessary funding.
Clearly this is a pivotal time in the field.
We will discuss all this, the past, the present and the uncertain future of stem cell research at the meeting at UC San Diego on May 28th. The doors will open at noon for registration (snacks and light refreshments will also be available) and the program runs from 12.30p to 1.30p.
The speakers are:
- Dr. Catriona Jamieson, Director of the UC San Diego Health CIRM Alpha Stem Cell Clinic and Sanford Stem Cell Clinical Center.
- Dr. Maria Millan, President and CEO of CIRM
- Dr. David Higgins, CIRM Board member and Patient Advocate for Parkinson’s Disease.
And of course, we want to hear from you, so we’ll leave plenty of time for questions.
Free parking is available.
Go here for more information about the event and how you can register
Free free to share this with anyone you think might be interested in joining us and we look forward to seeing you there.
The Stem Cellar 
who is not supporting this like in the past. if funding is Donald trump then he is for big Pharma, and Goldman Sachs just said curing people will not be profitable. Do they really hold that much power to disrupt the medical industry. how terrible when other countries are going forward. usa of capitalism.