Dr. Noriyuki Kasahara of UCSF has received $11.8 million from CIRM to target newly diagnosed high‑grade gliomas. These aggressive brain and spinal cord cancers are extremely hard to treat. The grant supports research on DB107, formerly Toca 511, an innovative gene therapy that selectively targets tumor cells. The therapy delivers an enzyme that converts a … Continue reading Gene therapy trial tests cancer-killing virus in brain tumors
CIRM
CIRM awards $6 million to advance research for heart attack and heart failure treatments
Arjun Deb, MD, a UCLA professor of medicine and biology, received a $6 million award from CIRM to advance his research on heart attack and heart failure treatments. Cardiovascular disease is the leading global cause of death, responsible for about one-third of all deaths. A heart attack causes permanent heart muscle damage and often leads … Continue reading CIRM awards $6 million to advance research for heart attack and heart failure treatments
CIRM Welcomes Jonathan Thomas as New President and CEO
The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) announces Jonathan “JT” Thomas, PhD, JD, as its new President and CEO. JT brings broad experience and a strong commitment to CIRM’s mission. He previously served 12 years as Chair of the Independent Citizens' Oversight Committee (ICOC) and most recently as Interim CEO. “JT understands our mission and … Continue reading CIRM Welcomes Jonathan Thomas as New President and CEO
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
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 supports ALLO‑316, an anti‑CD70 CAR‑T therapy for metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma, the most common kidney cancer. Looking for … Continue reading Supporting a CAR T-cell trial for kidney cancer
CIRM advancing research for neuropsychiatric disorders
Since 1949, Mental Health Awareness Month has taken place each May to highlight mental health and wellness. In California, an estimated 1.2 million adults have a serious mental illness, and 5.6 million have a mental health condition. Neuropsychiatric disorders continue to place a heavy burden on patients and caregivers, and effective treatments remain a major … Continue reading CIRM advancing research for neuropsychiatric disorders
Empowering the future of bioscience in the LA region
The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) proudly participated in and sponsored the recent 2024 Los Angeles Bioscience Ecosystem Summit Twenty (LABEST) Conference, the premier showcase for bioscience innovation in Los Angeles. With around 1,000 participants, LABEST is one of the largest gatherings of visionary scientists, enthusiastic entrepreneurs, and pioneering institutions in the region. Top … Continue reading Empowering the future of bioscience in the LA region
Raising awareness of Parkinson’s Disease
Crissy Field was filled with vibrant colors and massive energy for the 10th annual Moving Day San Francisco event on Saturday, May 4th. Even with the rain and wind, community members showed up to demonstrate their commitment to "moving to end Parkinson's." Moving Day is an annual fundraising walk that brings together people with Parkinson’s disease, … Continue reading Raising awareness of Parkinson’s Disease
CIRM invests $1.5 million for UCLA research identifying risk factors for viral infections
Image of Michael Wells, PhD from UCLA CIRM recently awarded $1.5 million to a UCLA project led by Michael Wells, PhD. The team aims to identify genetic and molecular risk factors for viral infections across diverse populations. They will use a stem cell–based “cell village” platform to study viral susceptibility in 150 donors. These cell … Continue reading CIRM invests $1.5 million for UCLA research identifying risk factors for viral infections
Equipping California nurses with skills to support cell and gene therapy patients
Regenerative medicine is a rapidly evolving field. As more therapies reach commercialization and clinical trial stages, there remains an immediate need to equip direct patient care nurses with skills to support patients on complex clinical trials as well as novel standard-of-care therapies. To address this need and continue efforts to build a regenerative medicine workforce … Continue reading Equipping California nurses with skills to support cell and gene therapy patients