CIRM Welcomes Jonathan Thomas as New President and CEO 

The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) is excited to announce the appointment of Jonathan “JT” Thomas, PhD, JD, as our new President and CEO. JT brings extensive experience and a deep commitment to our mission. Previously, he served as the Chair of the Independent Citizens' Oversight Committee (ICOC) for 12 years and, most recently, … Continue reading CIRM Welcomes Jonathan Thomas as New President and CEO 

Kevin Xu joins governing board of California’s Stem Cell & Gene Therapy Agency

The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), the world’s largest institution dedicated to regenerative medicine, is pleased to announce the appointment of Kevin Xu to its Independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee (ICOC), the official governing Board of the agency. Xu is CEO of MEBO International, an intellectual property management company responsible for managing “Human Body Regenerative … Continue reading Kevin Xu joins governing board of California’s Stem Cell & Gene Therapy Agency

CIRM welcomes new Chair, bids farewell to Art Torres and Jonathan Thomas

Dr. Vito Imbasciani was sworn in as the new Chair of the Board of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) at its March meeting. Imbasciani (pictured above at left) was elected to the six-year term at CIRM’s January Board meeting. He will replace outgoing chair Jonathan Thomas, who has served in the position since 2011.  “My experience … Continue reading CIRM welcomes new Chair, bids farewell to Art Torres and Jonathan Thomas

Biden Appoints CIRM board member Ysabel Duron to National Cancer Advisory Board

President Biden appointed Ysabel Duron, the award-winning journalist, patient advocate, cancer survivor and board member of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), to the National Cancer Advisory Board. Vital role The board plays a key role in guiding the national cancer research program and will complement the Cancer Moonshot initiative, which President Biden reignited … Continue reading Biden Appoints CIRM board member Ysabel Duron to National Cancer Advisory Board

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

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.

Sweet 16 and counting for stem cell clinical trial

Dr. Judy Shizuru: Photo courtesy Jasper Therapeutics Over the years the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) has invested a lot in helping children born with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), a fatal immune disorder. And we have seen great results with some researchers reporting a 95 percent success rate in curing these children. Now there’s … Continue reading Sweet 16 and counting for stem cell clinical trial

Patient Advocacy is its own reward

It’s always nice to be told you are doing a good job. It’s even nicer when it’s unexpected. That’s certainly the case when we, the Communications Team at the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, found out we’d been named as a finalist for the Patient Advocacy Award (non-profit category) as part of the Phacilitate Advanced … Continue reading Patient Advocacy is its own reward

Dr. Deborah Deas and Ysabel Duron recognized for their contributions to advancing public health

Dr. Deborah Deas The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) has two reasons to celebrate today. Earlier this month, Dr. Deborah Deas was elected as a member of the National Academy of Medicine, or NAM. Membership in the academy is one of the highest national honors in health and medicine. Dr. Deas is the vice … Continue reading Dr. Deborah Deas and Ysabel Duron recognized for their contributions to advancing public health

CIRM Board Approves Funding for New Clinical Trial Targeting Brain Tumors

The governing Board of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) has awarded almost $12 million to carry out a clinical trial targeting brain tumors. This brings the total number of CIRM funded clinical trials to 83.   $11,999,984 was awarded to Dr. Jana Portnow at the Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope. They are using Neural stem … Continue reading CIRM Board Approves Funding for New Clinical Trial Targeting Brain Tumors