A spinal cord injury is devastating and can change a life instantly. Each year, 250,000 to 500,000 people worldwide sustain an SCI. Most injuries result from trauma to the spinal column. Those injuries disrupt the spinal cord’s ability to send and receive signals between the brain and the body’s sensory, motor, and autonomic systems below the injury site

The first trial

Currently, no treatment fully reverses spinal cord injury, and care focuses on rehabilitation and helping patients live as normal a life as possible. Better options are needed to improve quality of life and reduce healthcare costs.

In 2010, the Geron trial became the first clinical trial funded by CIRM and the world’s first trial using embryonic stem cells.

In 2014, Asterias Biotherapeutics—now Lineage Cell Therapeutics Inc.—acquired Geron’s cell therapy assets. It then launched its Phase 1/2a clinical trial to assess safety and determine the optimal cell dose for patients with cervical spinal cord injuries.

Jake’s story

In 2016, Jake Javier became the fifth participant in the renewed Asterias trial. Jake broke his neck the day before high‑school graduation, leaving him paralyzed from the upper chest down.

After enrolling in the CIRM‑funded trial, Jake received a transplant of ten million stem cells. He soon regained enough arm and hand function to attend Cal Poly and restart his life.

This video highlights the challenges he faced in his first year and his remarkable determination in overcoming them.

Today, Jake is set to graduate from Duke University with his master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering. He plans to help those impacted by neurological injuries or disease.

Watch the video below to learn more about Jake’s personal perspective on his clinical trial participation, the OPC1 clinical study, his future plans, and his message to the SCI community.