CIRM awards more than $56 million for clinical research aimed at treating Parkinson’s disease, autoimmune conditions and a variety of cancers

The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), the world’s largest institution dedicated to regenerative medicine, awarded $56 million to fund various clinical research aimed at treating Parkinson’s disease, autoimmune conditions and a variety of cancers. The awards will support seven projects—five clinical trials and two preclinical projects—in the Agency’s clinical program which provides funding for … Continue reading CIRM awards more than $56 million for clinical research aimed at treating Parkinson’s disease, autoimmune conditions and a variety of cancers

CIRM invests $50 million in clinical research, including trial for vision loss

The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), the world’s largest institution dedicated to regenerative medicine, today awarded $50.1 million to fund clinical-stage research projects aimed at advancing stem cell and gene therapy treatments for a variety conditions ranging from neurodegenerative diseases and blood cancers to HIV/AIDS.  The awards will support six projects in the Agency’s … Continue reading CIRM invests $50 million in clinical research, including trial for vision loss

How CIRM-funded research is bringing a lifesaving gene therapy to a 5-year-old

For her first year of life, Seersha Sulack stayed mostly in her bedroom because something as simple as a common cold could have killed her. The five-year-old was born with ADA-SCID, a condition so rare that only eight babies a year are born with it in the United States.  Now, thanks to the work of … Continue reading How CIRM-funded research is bringing a lifesaving gene therapy to a 5-year-old

Why diversity in clinical trials is essential

The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) is proud to join fellow advocates of clinical trial diversity in applauding a new law that will allow the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) to require diverse representation in clinical trials.  A clinical trial, as defined by the FDA, tests potential treatments in human volunteers to see … Continue reading Why diversity in clinical trials is essential

Neurona Therapeutics Update: First two patients who received treatment experienced significantly less seizures

Nearly 3.5 million Americans suffer from some form of epilepsy. It can affect people in different ways from stiff muscles or staring spells, to violent shaking and loss of consciousness. The impact it has on people’s lives extends far beyond the condition itself. People who suffer from epilepsy experience a higher frequency of depression and other mood … Continue reading Neurona Therapeutics Update: First two patients who received treatment experienced significantly less seizures

CIRM Board Approves Funding for New Clinical Trial Targeting Brain Tumors

The governing Board of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) has awarded almost $12 million to carry out a clinical trial targeting brain tumors. This brings the total number of CIRM funded clinical trials to 83.   $11,999,984 was awarded to Dr. Jana Portnow at the Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope. They are using Neural stem … Continue reading CIRM Board Approves Funding for New Clinical Trial Targeting Brain Tumors

CIRM-funding supports world’s first stem cell treatment for spina bifida delivered during fetal surgery

Dr. Diana Farmer (right) meets with Emily Lofton and her baby Robbie who had stem cell treatment for spina bifida in the womb. Photo: UC Davis Health The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) recently shared some encouraging news on The Stem Cellar about a CIRM-funded stem cell clinical trial for spina bifida at UC … Continue reading CIRM-funding supports world’s first stem cell treatment for spina bifida delivered during fetal surgery

State Stem Cell & Gene Therapy Agency Sets up Support Program to Help Patients Participate in Clinical Trials

For many patients battling deadly diseases, getting access to a clinical trial can be life-saving, but it can also be very challenging. Today the governing Board of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) approved a concept plan to make it financially and logistically easier for patients to take part in CIRM-funded clinical trials. The … Continue reading State Stem Cell & Gene Therapy Agency Sets up Support Program to Help Patients Participate in Clinical Trials

Funding a Clinical Trial for a Functional Cure for HIV

The use of antiretroviral drugs has turned HIV/AIDS from a fatal disease to one that can, in many cases in the US, be controlled. But these drugs are not a cure. That's why the governing Board of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) voted to approve investing $6.85 million in a therapy that aims … Continue reading Funding a Clinical Trial for a Functional Cure for HIV

CIRM-funded stem cell-gene therapy shows promise in ALS safety trial

Senior author of the study Clive Svendsen, PhD (center) With funding support from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), Cedars-Sinai investigators have developed an investigational therapy using support cells and a protective protein that can be delivered past the blood-brain barrier. This combined stem cell and gene therapy can potentially protect diseased motor neurons … Continue reading CIRM-funded stem cell-gene therapy shows promise in ALS safety trial