The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy (RMAT) designation to two research projects funded by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM). RMAT is a fast-track designation that can help speed up the development, review, and potential approval of treatments for serious or life-threatening diseases. The first RMAT designation … Continue reading Two CIRM-funded research projects receive RMAT designation from FDA
Disease Areas
Remembering CIRM board member and ALS patient advocate Fred Fisher
CIRM would like to honor the contributions of Fred Fisher, MSW, LCSW, a dedicated member of our Independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee (ICOC) governing board and an enthusiastic patient advocate. Fred passed away in September. Fred joined the CIRM ICOC as the ALS patient advocate in June 2021 and held various roles during his tenure, including … Continue reading Remembering CIRM board member and ALS patient advocate Fred Fisher
UCLA researchers exploring ways to prevent heart failure after heart attacks
ENPP1 is expressed in the region of scarring after injury to the heart. Cardiac muscle shown in red and ENPP1 in green demonstrates expression of ENPP1 in the region of scar formation. | Credit: Arjun Deb Lab/UCLA At the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), we support groundbreaking cardiovascular research from Discovery to Clinical as … Continue reading UCLA researchers exploring ways to prevent heart failure after heart attacks
How California is advancing our understanding of Alzheimer’s disease using stem cells
Over 14,000 people in Fresno County are living with Alzheimer's, and it’s estimated that more than 720,000 people are living with the brain disorder in California. That’s why the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM)—a state of California agency dedicated to funding regenerative medicine research—joined the Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Fresno/Madera to … Continue reading How California is advancing our understanding of Alzheimer’s disease using stem cells
Story of Hope: Elpida Therapeutics’ Pioneer Study on Rare Nerve Disease CMT4J
Image source: SickKids -Terry, Georgia, and Michael Pirovolakis CIRM awarded Elpida Therapeutics a $3.9 million grant in December 2023 to support a pioneering preclinical study on Charcot Marie Tooth disease type 4J (CMT4J). CMT4J is an ultra-rare, inherited condition that primarily affects the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. It accounts for about 0.24% … Continue reading Story of Hope: Elpida Therapeutics’ Pioneer Study on Rare Nerve Disease CMT4J
ICYMI – From Undergratuate to Hero: Solano Student’s Life-Saving Bone Marrow Match Begins with One Swab
Image Source: Jose Solorio At the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), we believe stem cells have the potential to change lives. Jose Solorio, a Solano Community College student and participant in CIRM’s COMPASS training program, has firsthand experience in witnessing the power of stem cells as a donor. As part of CIRM's COMPASS program, … Continue reading ICYMI – From Undergratuate to Hero: Solano Student’s Life-Saving Bone Marrow Match Begins with One Swab
From Undergraduate to Hero: Solano Student’s Life-Saving Bone Marrow Match Begins with One Swab
SCC student and CIRM trainee Jose Solorio donated bone marrow to save an 11-year-old patient's life in New York. In a remarkable display of compassion and scientific collaboration, Solano Community College (SCC) student Jose Solorio, a scholar in the college's biomanufacturing bachelor's program, has become a real-life hero. Through Solano’s partnership with the National Marrow … Continue reading From Undergraduate to Hero: Solano Student’s Life-Saving Bone Marrow Match Begins with One Swab
CIRM awards $8 million to Support Groundbreaking Gene Therapy for AML and MDS
Image source: Canva Around 20,000 Americans are affected by acute myeloid leukemia (AML) each year. AML is a type of cancer that originates in the bone marrow and rapidly enters the bloodstream. Additionally, many individuals are impacted by myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), which are blood disorders that result in the improper formation or functioning of blood … Continue reading CIRM awards $8 million to Support Groundbreaking Gene Therapy for AML and MDS
CIRM $4 million awarded to support innovative Gene Therapy for Rare Heart Disorder
Image Source: American Heart Association Journals The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) recently awarded $4 million to support the development of a one-time gene therapy for desmoplakin gene variant arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (DSP ACM), a rare and life-threatening genetic disorder. This preclinical award to Deborah D. Ascheim, MD, and her team at Rejuvenate Bio are … Continue reading CIRM $4 million awarded to support innovative Gene Therapy for Rare Heart Disorder
CIRM awards $26 million to boost clinical trials for cancer, heart, and rare diseases
The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) is proud to announce the allocation of $26 million to support clinical research targeting a range of cancers, heart conditions, and rare diseases. This significant funding underscores CIRM’s commitment to advancing innovative stem cell and gene therapy-based treatments through all stages of clinical trial development. This latest round … Continue reading CIRM awards $26 million to boost clinical trials for cancer, heart, and rare diseases
The Stem Cellar 