Image Credit: University of Southern California (USC) Eye Institute Over the last two decades CIRM has supported research and helped advance potential treatments for macular degeneration, one of the leading causes of blindness. Early grants One of the earliest was a 2007 SEED grant to David Hinton, MD, of the University of Southern California (USC). … Continue reading The evolution of a CIRM-funded therapy for macular degeneration
Disease Areas
New gene therapy for early-onset Parkinson’s
Image source: Shutterstock Nearly one million people in the U.S. are living with Parkinson’s disease, which causes progressive symptoms including tremors, stiffness, and gait and balance issues. Although there are medications to treat symptoms, the disease has no cure. CIRM's support for potential Parkinson's treatments To date, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) has … Continue reading New gene therapy for early-onset Parkinson’s
A patient’s journey with an epilepsy stem cell therapy
Justin Graves diving by the Grand Cayman Islands In 2007, Justin Graves was working at a SCUBA shop in Louisville, Kentucky, when he had his first epileptic seizure. "SCUBA diving has just been something I've loved my whole life," he said. "My whole family loves it." Medication not always effective Justin had to give up … Continue reading A patient’s journey with an epilepsy stem cell therapy
Filling gaps in federal research funding with a focus on neurological diseases
Over the past 20 years, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) has supercharged research in California in ways that have often filled gaps in federal research funding and most recently by focusing on gaps in neurological disease. A few different factors are limiting biomedical research funding across the United States. In addition to recent … Continue reading Filling gaps in federal research funding with a focus on neurological diseases
Breaking barriers in rare disease: A gene therapy transforms cystinosis treatment
A 12 year-old Kurt Gillenberg. Photo courtesy of Kurt Gillenberg. When Kurt Gillenberg was 10 months old, his parents knew something wasn’t right. But it wasn’t until he reached 18 months that they found a doctor at the University of California, San Diego, who diagnosed Kurt with cystinosis – a rare genetic, metabolic defect that … Continue reading Breaking barriers in rare disease: A gene therapy transforms cystinosis treatment
Honoring Dr. John Zaia: A Legacy of Science, Leadership, and Kindness
Photo Courtesy: City of Hope The scientific community lost a true pioneer with the passing of John A. Zaia, MD. Dr. Zaia was a visionary virologist, gene therapy trailblazer, and esteemed leader at City of Hope. He dedicated over four decades to advancing regenerative medicine. He left behind a profound impact on HIV research, pediatric … Continue reading Honoring Dr. John Zaia: A Legacy of Science, Leadership, and Kindness
Luxa Biotechnology’s CIRM-funded Dry AMD Therapy Milestone
Credit: Shutterstock The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy (RMAT) designation to a promising new treatment for dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD)—a leading cause of vision loss. The therapy is being developed by Luxa Biotechnology and supported in part by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM). What RMAT Designation Means RMAT designation … Continue reading Luxa Biotechnology’s CIRM-funded Dry AMD Therapy Milestone
Where Are They Now: Jake Javier
On the first day, of the 2024 CIRM Trainee Network Conference, Jake Javier took shared his experience as a clinical trial patient, as how he benefited from the innovative trial. The event done in partnership with the University of Southern California (USC) gave trainees from CIRM’s education and training programs an opportunity to engage with … Continue reading Where Are They Now: Jake Javier
A Conversation with CEO Cory Nicholas on Neurona Therapeutics’ Recent RMAT Designation
At the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), we enjoy highlighting achievements that come out of the research we support. We recently sat down with Cory Nicholas, PhD, CEO and Co-Founder of Neurona Therapeutics, to discuss an important milestone for the clinical-stage company. Neurona recently received the FDA’s Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy (RMAT) designation for … Continue reading A Conversation with CEO Cory Nicholas on Neurona Therapeutics’ Recent RMAT Designation
Exploring Advances in Eye Disease Webinar
The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) has been at the forefront of advancing cellular and gene therapies for various forms of vision loss—including retinitis pigmentosa (RP)—making significant progress in this critical field. Ongoing research and clinical trials are vital to further these advancements. We invite you to join our webinar, Exploring Advances in Eye Disease … Continue reading Exploring Advances in Eye Disease Webinar