Credit: Shutterstock The FDA has granted Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy (RMAT) designation for a project focused on vision loss that was funded in part by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM). This designation is given to highly promising regenerative medicine therapies that treat serious or life-threatening diseases with the goal of accelerating the path … Continue reading FDA Grants RMAT Designation to Luxa Biotechnology’s CIRM-funded Dry AMD Therapy
Macular degeneration
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
CIRM’s $31 million boost for cancer and eye disease research
The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) recently approved nearly $31 million in funding, further cementing our commitment to advancing the field of regenerative medicine. This substantial investment aims to drive clinical research targeting various cancers and eye diseases. CIRM’s dedication to fostering innovative treatments is demonstrated through its clinical program, which funds eligible stem … Continue reading CIRM’s $31 million boost for cancer and eye disease research
CIRM invests $50 million in clinical research, including trial for vision loss
The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), the world’s largest institution dedicated to regenerative medicine, today awarded $50.1 million to fund clinical-stage research projects aimed at advancing stem cell and gene therapy treatments for a variety conditions ranging from neurodegenerative diseases and blood cancers to HIV/AIDS. The awards will support six projects in the Agency’s … Continue reading CIRM invests $50 million in clinical research, including trial for vision loss
Lab-made retinas offer a new approach to battling vision loss
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss in the elderly. Now, new research using 3D organoid models of the eye has uncovered clues as to what happens in AMD, and how to stop it. In AMD, a person loses their central vision because the light sensitive cells in the macula, a … Continue reading Lab-made retinas offer a new approach to battling vision loss
Stem cell-derived retinal patch continues to show promising results two years post-implantation
Earlier this year we wrote about the promising results of a phase 1 clinical trial aimed at replacing the deteriorating cells in the retinas of people suffering from age-related macular degeneration- one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide for people over 50. Now there’s even more good news! Highlighted in a news story on … Continue reading Stem cell-derived retinal patch continues to show promising results two years post-implantation
How a tiny patch is helping restore lasting vision
THIS BLOG IS ALSO AVAILABLE AS AN AUDIO CAST Researchers are working on a stem cell-based retinal implant that could be used for people with with advanced dry age-related macular degeneration. (Photo/ Britney O. Pennington) When Anna Kuehl began losing her vision, she feared losing the ability to read and go on long walks in … Continue reading How a tiny patch is helping restore lasting vision
Sometimes a cold stare is a good thing
A retina of a patient with macular degeneration. (Photo credit: Paul Parker/SPL) Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss and blindness in the elderly in the U.S. It’s estimated that some 11 million Americans could have some form of the disease, a number that is growing every year. So if you … Continue reading Sometimes a cold stare is a good thing
Two voices, one message, watch out for predatory stem cell clinics
Last week two new papers came out echoing each other about the dangers of bogus “therapies” being offered by predatory stem cell clinics and the risks they pose to patients. The first was from the Pew Charitable Trusts entitled: ‘Harms Linked to Unapproved Stem Cell Interventions Highlight Need for Greater FDA Enforcement’ with a subtitle: … Continue reading Two voices, one message, watch out for predatory stem cell clinics
Cures, clinical trials and unmet medical needs
When you have a great story to tell there’s no shame in repeating it as often as you can. After all, not everyone gets to hear first time around. Or second or third time. So that’s why we wanted to give you another opportunity to tune into some of the great presentations and discussions at … Continue reading Cures, clinical trials and unmet medical needs
The Stem Cellar 