Turning Hope into Reality: How a Genetic Therapy Helped Connor

Photo credit: n-Lorem Connor Dalby is a 15-year-old teenager who loves music and the beach, but his journey has been far from ordinary. Diagnosed with a rare mutation in the SCN2A gene, his life has been filled with challenges.  From the time he was just a few weeks old, he had trouble sleeping and struggled … Continue reading Turning Hope into Reality: How a Genetic Therapy Helped Connor

Where Are They Now: Jake Javier 

The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) in partnership with the University of Southern California (USC) recently hosted the 2024 CIRM Trainee Network Conference, which provided trainees from CIRM’s education and training programs an opportunity to engage with patient advocates and other professionals in the field.   On the first day, Jake Javier took the stage … 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

Gene therapy trial tests cancer-killing virus in brain tumors 

Dr. Noriyuki Kasahara from UCSF has been awarded $11.8 million by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) to target newly diagnosed high-grade gliomas. This groundbreaking clinical trial aims to treat high-grade gliomas, one of the most challenging brain cancers to manage.   These aggressive cancers develop in the brain or spinal cord and are notoriously … Continue reading Gene therapy trial tests cancer-killing virus in brain tumors 

CIRM awards $6 million to advance research for heart attack and heart failure treatments

In a promising development for cardiovascular health, Arjun Deb, MD, a professor of medicine and molecular, cell, and developmental biology at UCLA, has received a $6 million award from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) to advance his groundbreaking research on heart attack and heart failure treatments. Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of … Continue reading CIRM awards $6 million to advance research for heart attack and heart failure treatments

Transformative stem cell-based treatment for Cystic Fibrosis Sinusitis

A $6 million grant to Dr. Matthew Porteus and his team at Stanford University to develop an innovative stem cell-based gene correction therapy for chronic sinusitis in Cystic Fibrosis (CF) patients.   CF is a common genetic disease that currently lacks a cure, causing patients to spend their lives managing symptoms. Despite significant advancements in CF … Continue reading Transformative stem cell-based treatment for Cystic Fibrosis Sinusitis

Bringing a community together at the 2nd Annual ALSP Conference 

In addition to funding innovative programs and research that accelerate the development of stem cell and gene therapy treatments, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) provides funding to support valuable mission-specific scientific conferences where people can meet to exchange scientific information to meet goals relevant to CIRM’s mission.    Recently, CIRM supported the 2nd Annual … Continue reading Bringing a community together at the 2nd Annual ALSP Conference 

Supporting a CAR-T cell trial for kidney cancer

Photo Credit: Allogene Therapeutics. Image of the ALLO-316 allogeneic CAR-T cell therapy. The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) awarded $15 million to Dr. John Le Gall and his team at Allogene Therapeutics. This funding will support the development of ALLO-316, an innovative anti-CD70 CAR-T cell product designed to treat metastatic clear cell renal cell … Continue reading Supporting a CAR-T cell trial for kidney cancer

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