written by Holly Alyssa MacCormick The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) helped fund a clinical trial that involved an experimental stem cell treatment for a frequently paralyzing form of spina bifida. Today, several of those babies are now able to walk and run unassisted.Babies with severe spina bifida are often treated with surgery after … Continue reading Closer to Cures: Diana Farmer discusses clinical trials for spina bifida
Closer to Cures
Stanford researcher Crystal Mackall discusses progress on rare cancers clinical trials
Written by Holly Alyssa MacCormick In 2023, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) funded a clinical trial led by Stanford researcher Crystal Mackall, MD, to investigate a possible therapy for rare brain and spinal tumors. Devastating cancers These cancers, that arise from a specific genetic mutation, known as H3K27M, are devastating. Each year, about … Continue reading Stanford researcher Crystal Mackall discusses progress on rare cancers clinical trials
Cory R. Nicholas shares update on epilepsy clinical trials
Written by Holly Alyssa MacCormick Cory R. Nicholas presenting at the January 29 ICOC board meeting Roughly 3 million adults living in the United States have epilepsy, and about 400,000 of these people live in California, according to the CDC. Of these people, about one-third to half continue to have seizures that do not respond to medications on the market. Hope for those with epilepsy It’s those patients who don’t respond … Continue reading Cory R. Nicholas shares update on epilepsy clinical trials
CIRM board supports a rare disease funding plan, administrative changes
Written by Holly Alyssa MacCormick South San Francisco, CA, January 30, 2026 – As many as 1 in 10 people in the U.S. has a rare disease, many of which have no known cure. A new program by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) could change this by funding novel ways to develop multiple … Continue reading CIRM board supports a rare disease funding plan, administrative changes