There are many challenges in taking even the most promising stem cell treatment and turning it into a commercial product approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). One of the biggest is expertise. The scientists who develop the therapy may be brilliant in the lab but have little experience or expertise in successfully getting … Continue reading License to heal: UC Davis deal looks to advance stem cell treatment for bone loss and arthritis
clinical trials
Partnering with the best to help find cures for rare diseases
As a state agency we focus most of our efforts and nearly all our money on California. That’s what we were set up to do. But that doesn’t mean we don’t also look outside the borders of California to try and find the best research, and the most promising therapies, to help people in need. … Continue reading Partnering with the best to help find cures for rare diseases
The power of the patient’s voice: how advocates shape clinical trials and give hope to those battling deadly diseases
Tennis great Martina Navratilova was once being interviewed about what made her such a great competitor and she said it was all down to commitment. When pressed she said “the difference between involvement and commitment is like ham and eggs; the chicken is involved but the pig is committed.” That’s how I feel about the … Continue reading The power of the patient’s voice: how advocates shape clinical trials and give hope to those battling deadly diseases
Curing the Incurable through Definitive Medicine
“Curing the Incurable”. That was the theme for the first annual Center for Definitive and Curative Medicine (CDCM) Symposium held last week at Stanford University, in Palo Alto, California. The CDCM is a joint initiative amongst Stanford Healthcare, Stanford Children’s Health and the Stanford School of Medicine. Its mission is to foster an environment that … Continue reading Curing the Incurable through Definitive Medicine
A ‘Call to Action’ for change at the FDA
It’s bad enough to have to battle a debilitating and ultimately deadly disease like Huntington’s disease (HD). But it becomes doubly difficult and frustrating when you feel that the best efforts to develop a therapy for HD are running into a brick wall. That’s how patients and patient advocates working on HD feel as they … Continue reading A ‘Call to Action’ for change at the FDA
Stem Cells Profiles in Courage: Frank’s final gift
Not every story has a happy ending. But they do all have something to teach us. In the case of Frank St. Clair the lesson was simple: live life fully and freely, love those around you, and never give up. We were fortunate enough to get to know Frank as one of the people we … Continue reading Stem Cells Profiles in Courage: Frank’s final gift
Avalanches of exciting new stem cell research at the Keystone Symposia near Lake Tahoe
From January 8th to 13th, nearly 300 scientists and trainees from around the world ascended the mountains near Lake Tahoe to attend the joint Keystone Symposia on Neurogenesis and Stem Cells at the Resort at Squaw Creek. With record-high snowfall in the area (almost five feet!), attendees had to stay inside to stay warm and dry, … Continue reading Avalanches of exciting new stem cell research at the Keystone Symposia near Lake Tahoe
Cured by Stem Cells
To get anywhere you need a good map, and you need to check it constantly to make sure you are still on the right path and haven’t strayed off course. A year ago the CIRM Board gave us a map, a Strategic Plan, that laid out our course for the next five years. Our Annual … Continue reading Cured by Stem Cells
California’s stem cell agency rounds up the year with two more big hits
It’s traditional to end the year with a look back at what you hoped to accomplish and an assessment of what you did. By that standard 2016 has been a pretty good year for us at CIRM. Yesterday our governing Board approved funding for two new clinical trials, one to help kidney transplant patients, the … Continue reading California’s stem cell agency rounds up the year with two more big hits
With an eye toward 2020, CIRM looks at clinical milestones achieved in 2016
One year ago, CIRM announced its strategic plan for the next five years. It’s a bold vision to maximize our impact in stem cell research by accelerating stem cell treatments to patients with unmet medical needs. Our strategic plan, which can be found on our website, details how CIRM will invest in five main program … Continue reading With an eye toward 2020, CIRM looks at clinical milestones achieved in 2016
The Stem Cellar 