Photo courtesy of Stanford Medicine September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) is joining the campaign to #GoGold to raise awareness about childhood cancers and highlight our commitment to funding childhood cancer research. The Impact of Childhood Cancer Cancer remains the number one cause of death by disease for … Continue reading CIRM Joins GoGold Childhood Cancer Awareness Campaign
CIRM
Kevin Xu joins CIRM board
CIRM has appointed Kevin Xu to its Independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee, the agency’s governing board. Xu is CEO of MEBO International, which manages “Human Body Regenerative Restoration Science,” and Skingenix, a California‑based regenerative drug‑development company. “It is a privilege to join CIRM’s board,” Xu said. “I look forward to working with experts dedicated to advancing … Continue reading Kevin Xu joins CIRM board
Growing CIRM’s World Class Team
We continue to expand CIRM’s world‑class team to advance the promise of regenerative medicine in California and beyond. Since voters approved Proposition 14 in 2020, CIRM has been rebuilding and strengthening its workforce to meet new challenges and support the Agency’s mission. “We are delighted to welcome these talented individuals to CIRM,” said President and … Continue reading Growing CIRM’s World Class Team
CIRM invests $2.7 million in research to develop stem cell-based tendon tissue for shoulder injuries
The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) awarded Scripps Health a $2.7 million research grant to support research into using stem cells to engineer rotator cuff tendons in the laboratory and repair common shoulder injuries. The rotator cuff consists of four muscles and their attached tendons. Together, they hold the upper arm in the shoulder … Continue reading CIRM invests $2.7 million in research to develop stem cell-based tendon tissue for shoulder injuries
Biden Appoints CIRM board member Ysabel Duron to National Cancer Advisory Board
President Biden appointed Ysabel Duron, the award-winning journalist, patient advocate, cancer survivor and board member of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), to the National Cancer Advisory Board. Vital role The board plays a key role in guiding the national cancer research program and will complement the Cancer Moonshot initiative, which President Biden reignited … Continue reading Biden Appoints CIRM board member Ysabel Duron to National Cancer Advisory Board
California agency invests $4 million in stem cell treatment for Parkinson’s Disease
The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) is investing $4 million in Ryne Bio’s late-stage preclinical project for idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (PD). PD destroys dopamine-producing neurons and causes motor symptoms such as dyskinesia. Dyskinesia causes involuntary, erratic movements of the face, arms, legs, or trunk. The disease can also cause dementia, depression, and sleep disorders. … Continue reading California agency invests $4 million in stem cell treatment for Parkinson’s Disease
Dr. Vito Imbasciani elected Chair of CIRM
Dr. Vito Imbasciani elected Chair of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM). Voters created CIRM in 2004 and renewed its funding in 2020 to advance stem cell and regenerative medicine research. Board Support At January’s meeting, the agency’s 35‑member Governing Board elected Imbasciani to a six‑year term. He succeeds Jonathan Thomas, who has served … Continue reading Dr. Vito Imbasciani elected Chair of CIRM
Funding development of a vaccine for acute myelogenous leukemia (AML)
Dr. Karin Gaensler. Photo credit: Steve Babuljak/UCSF Adult acute myelogenous leukemia—also known as acute myeloid leukemia (AML)—is a blood cancer in which the bone marrow makes a large number of abnormal blood cells. About 20,000 new AML cases are diagnosed each year in the U.S., with a five‑year survival rate of about 29%. In 2022, … Continue reading Funding development of a vaccine for acute myelogenous leukemia (AML)
CIRM funds clinical trial for safer cancer therapy
Blood stem cell transplant after high‑dose chemotherapy is standard care and can be curative for aggressive lymphoma. However, this approach often causes severe toxicity and life‑threatening complications due to delayed blood system recovery and vascular damage. Today, the CIRM Board funded a Phase 3 clinical trial to advance a safer, more tolerable alternative. CIRM Funding … Continue reading CIRM funds clinical trial for safer cancer therapy
In Memory of Kevin McCormack
CIRM lost its voice this weekend. Sunday evening, our beloved Director of Patient Advocacy and frequent face and voice of the Institute, Kevin McCormack, passed away unexpectedly, leaving an unfillable void in our hearts. Chronicler in chief As CIRM’s chief storyteller, Kevin captured milestones and celebrated patients with grace, style, and humor. His wit and … Continue reading In Memory of Kevin McCormack