Image of Michael Wells, PhD from UCLA The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) recently awarded $1.5 million to a new research project led by Michael Wells, PhD, of UCLA, that aims to identify the genetic and molecular risk factors underlying disease-causing viral infections in multiple diverse ancestral populations. Dr. Wells and his team of … Continue reading CIRM invests $1.5 million to UCLA for research identifying risk factors for viral infections
California Institute for Regenerative Medicine
Equipping California nurses with skills to support cell and gene therapy patients
Regenerative medicine is a rapidly evolving field. As more therapies reach commercialization and clinical trial stages, there remains an immediate need to equip direct patient care nurses with skills to support patients on complex clinical trials as well as novel standard-of-care therapies. To address this need and continue efforts to build a regenerative medicine workforce … Continue reading Equipping California nurses with skills to support cell and gene therapy patients
Advancing Clinical Research for a CAR T-Cell Therapy for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), Autoimmune Diseases
Symptoms of lupus may include pain or swelling in the joints, extreme fatigue, a butterfly rash on the cheeks and nose, and more. The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) has awarded $7.9 million to Barbara Hickingbottom, MD, of Fate Therapeutics to advance clinical research for FT819, an induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived CD19 CAR … Continue reading Advancing Clinical Research for a CAR T-Cell Therapy for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), Autoimmune Diseases
CIRM Funds Clinical Research for Individualized Stem Cell Treatment for Parkinson’s
Stock image of Parkinson's disease nerve cells. The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) has approved an $8 million award to Aspen Neuroscience to advance an investigational stem cell-derived dopaminergic neuron replacement therapy for Parkinson’s disease (PD). This individualized potential therapy is being explored in a first-in-human Phase 1/2a clinical trial for patients with moderate … Continue reading CIRM Funds Clinical Research for Individualized Stem Cell Treatment for Parkinson’s
Celebrating Black Joy and Spreading Awareness
The streets of Oakland were alive with vibrant colors, infectious energy, and a powerful sense of community as the 2024 Black Joy Parade took center stage on Sunday, February 25. Black Joy Parade-goers with colorful noisemakers walking down Franklin and 19th St. The Black Joy Parade is a yearly celebration of the Black community and … Continue reading Celebrating Black Joy and Spreading Awareness
CIRM celebrates landmark 100+ clinical trial awards
Photo credit: Barbara Ries for UCSF, Jaquell Chandler, and OHSU/Christine Torres Hicks The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), California’s Stem Cell Agency and the world’s largest institution dedicated to regenerative medicine reached a milestone when it approved funding for its 100th clinical trial. At the February Independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee (ICOC) meeting, the board … Continue reading CIRM celebrates landmark 100+ clinical trial awards
Dr. Vito Imbasciani elected as Chair of California stem cell agency
Dr. Vito Imbasciani will be the new Chair of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), the state agency created by voters in 2004 and funded again in 2020 to invest in stem cell and regenerative medicine research and treatments. At January’s Board meeting, the agency’s 35-member Governing Board elected Imbasciani to the six-year term, … Continue reading Dr. Vito Imbasciani elected as Chair of California stem cell agency
Bubble baby treatment cleared to restart clinical trial
Evie Vaccaro: Photo courtesy Nancy Ramos Three families battling a life-threatening immune disorder got some great news last week. A clinical trial that could save the life of their child has once again been given the go-ahead by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The clinical trial is the work of UCLA’s Dr. Don … Continue reading Bubble baby treatment cleared to restart clinical trial
Making transplants easier for kids, and charting a new approach to fighting solid tumors.
Every year California performs around 100 kidney transplants in children but, on average, around 50 of these patients will have their body reject the transplant. These children then have to undergo regular dialysis while waiting for a new organ. Even the successful transplants require a lifetime of immunosuppression medications. These medications can prevent rejection but … Continue reading Making transplants easier for kids, and charting a new approach to fighting solid tumors.
Reasons to be thankful this Thanksgiving: creative nerds
We at the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. We get to work with some extraordinary colleagues, we get to know some remarkable patient advocates who are pioneers in volunteering for stem cell and gene therapies, and we have a front row seat in a movement that … Continue reading Reasons to be thankful this Thanksgiving: creative nerds
The Stem Cellar 