Cell Therapy News Volume 15.02 | Jan 20 2014

Therapeutic Inflammatory Monocyte Modulation Using Immune-Modifying Microparticles
Administration of immune-modifying microparticles in mouse models of myocardial infarction, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis, thioglycollate-induced peritonitis, and lethal flavivirus encephalitis markedly reduced monocyte accumulation at inflammatory foci, reduced disease symptoms, and promoted tissue repair. [Sci Transl Med] Abstract | Press Release

In Vivo Safety, Biodistribution and Antitumor Effects of Urokinase Receptor Retargeted Oncolytic Measles Virus in Syngeneic Cancer Models
Scientists investigated the in vivo effects of systemic administration of measles viruses fully retargeted against human in immunocompetent cancer models. [Gene Ther] Abstract

Treatment for Salivary Gland Hypofunction at Both Initial and Advanced Stages of Sjögren-Like Disease: A Comparative Study of Bone Marrow Therapy versus Spleen Cell Therapy with a 1-Year Monitoring Period
The efficacy of two therapies (bone marrow versus spleen cells) was compared head-to-head for halting/reversing salivary hypofunction at two critical time points of Sjögren-like disease (7-week-old non-obese diabetic mice [NOD] with normal saliva output and 20-week-old NOD with minimal saliva). [Cytotherapy] Abstract

Timing of Transplantation of Autologous Bone Marrow Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Treating Myocardial Infarction
Scientists showed that transplantation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells at 2-4 weeks after myocardial infarction is more favorable for reduction of the scar area, inhibition of left ventricular remodeling, and recovery of heart function. [Sci China Life Sci] Abstract | Full Article

Amide-Type Local Anesthetics and Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Clinical Implications for Stem Cell Therapy
To address the implications of using human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) in combination with anesthetics for intra-articular applications, scientists investigated the effect that clinically relevant doses of amide-type local anesthetics (LAs) have on the viability of bone marrow-derived hMSCs and began to characterize the mechanism of LA-induced hMSC death. [Stem Cell Transl Med] Abstract

Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Mediate Aspergillus Hyphal Extract-Induced Allergic Airway Inflammation by Inhibition of the Th17 Signaling Pathway
Investigators assessed mesenchymal stromal cell effects in a mouse model of mixed T helper cell type 2/17 (Th2/Th17) allergic airway inflammation produced by mucosal exposure to Aspergillus fumigatus hyphal extract. [Stem Cell Transl Med] Abstract

Potential Application of Temozolomide in Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Based TRAIL Gene Therapy against Malignant Glioma
Scientists showed a potential therapy that used tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand-secreting human mesenchymal stem cells (MSC-TRAIL) combined with the chemotherapeutic agent temozolomide (TMZ). The antitumor effects of the combination with MSC-TRAIL and TMZ on human glioma cells were determined by using an in vitro coculture system and an in vivo experimental xenografted mouse model. [Stem Cell Transl Med] Abstract

The Current Status of iPS Cells in Cardiac Research and Their Potential for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
Scientists describe progress in reprogramming of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells towards the cardiac lineage/differentiation. The focus is on challenges of cardiac disease modeling using iPS cells and their potential to produce safe, effective and affordable therapies/applications with the emphasis of cardiac tissue engineering. [Stem Cell Rev] Abstract

Tissue Engineering Approaches to Cell Based Type 1 Diabetes Therapy
The authors address the different cell sources that can be utilized as β-cell replacements, the essential extracellular matrix molecules for the survival of these cells, and the three dimensional culture techniques that have been used to benefit cell function. [Tissue Eng Part B Rev] Abstract

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Mayo Clinic Discovery Leads to FDA Approval for Stem Cell Trial for Heart Failure Patients
Cardio3 BioScience has received FDA approval for a Phase III pivotal clinical trial of its stem cell therapy. The trial will test the Mayo Clinic discovery of cardiopoietic (cardiogenically-instructed) stem cells designed to improve heart health in people suffering from heart failure. [Mayo Clinic] Press Release | Video

U.S. Science Agencies Get Some Relief in 2014 Budget
The ghost of former President George W. Bush permeates the 2014 budget that Congress released. His presence is good news for physical scientists, but less cheery for biomedical researchers, as Congress reserved some of the biggest spending increases for NASA and the Department of Energy. The National Institutes of Health, meanwhile, got a $1 billion increase that is drawing mixed reviews from research advocates. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Business Gains Drive Higher R&D Spending in U.S.
The U.S. research ship is righting itself after going through some stormy seas, according to data from the National Science Foundation. But the latest picture of overall R&D spending in the United States shows two divergent trends: High-tech companies are steaming ahead after rebounding from the 2008 recession, while the end of the massive stimulus spending begun in 2009 has left academic researchers facing increasingly choppy waters. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Omnibus Bill Gives Nudge to Public Access
Congress took a small step toward expanding a requirement that science agencies make federally funded research papers publicly available in the omnibus spending bill approved. But the 1-year provision applies only to certain agencies, and the research behemoth among them – the National Institutes of Health – already has a similar policy. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Spanish Stem Cell Star Steps Down
A pioneering Spanish stem cell center has suddenly lost its leader – and some worry it may lose most of its research projects as well. Developmental biologist Juan Carlos Izpisúa Belmonte stepped down as the director of the Center of Regenerative Medicine in Barcelona, which he helped create almost a decade ago. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

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Moderna Launches Onkaido Therapeutics to Focus on the Development of mRNA Therapeutics™ in Oncology with $20 Million Capital Commitment
Moderna Therapeutics announced the creation of Onkaido Therapeutics, a new venture focused exclusively on developing mRNA-based oncology treatments. Onkaido Therapeutics will launch with $20 million in committed capital from Moderna. [Moderna Therapeutics] Press Release

Alnylam Acquires Investigational RNAi Therapeutic Assets from Merck
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced the acquisition of Merck’s wholly owned subsidiary Sirna Therapeutics, Inc., comprising intellectual property and RNAi assets including pre-clinical therapeutic candidates, chemistry, siRNA-conjugate and other delivery technologies. [Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.] Press Release

Spark Therapeutics Achieves Recruitment Goal in Phase III Gene Therapy Clinical Study for Inherited Blindness
Spark Therapeutics has reached its patient recruitment goal for its most advanced clinical program, a Phase III study for inherited retinal dystrophies caused by mutations in the RPE65 gene. [Spark Therapeutics]
Press Release

Merck Initiates Rolling Submission of U.S. Biologics License Application for MK-3475, an Investigational Anti-PD-1 Immunotherapy, in Patients with Advanced Melanoma
Merck said it has started a rolling submission to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration of a Biologics License Application for MK-3475, the company’s investigational anti-PD-1 immunotherapy, for patients with advanced melanoma who have been previously treated with ipilimumab. [Merck] Press Release

BioLineRx Announces Regulatory Submission for Novel Stem Cell Mobilization Treatment
BioLineRx announced that it has filed the necessary regulatory submissions to commence a Phase I trial for BL-8040, a novel treatment for the mobilization of stem cells from the bone marrow to the peripheral blood circulation. [BioLineRx] Press Release

Pluristem Receives Key Placental Cell Therapy Patent in Australia
Pluristem Therapeutics, Inc. announced it has been granted a new patent in Australia. Patent #2008300185, titled “Methods for Cell Expansion and Uses of Cells and Conditioned Media Produced thereby for Therapy,” covers the use of adherent placental cells for the treatment of ischemia, which is a restriction of blood supply to tissues, and for treatments of conditions requiring connective tissue repair or regeneration. [Pluristem Therapeutics, Inc.]
Press Release

Cytonet Submits European Approval Application for Liver Cell Therapy to Treat Urea Cycle Disorders in Children
Cytonet announced that the European Medicines Agency has validated its Marketing Authorization Application seeking approval of its liver cell therapy for the treatment of Urea Cycle Disorders in children. [The Cytonet Group] Press Release

Government-Owned Inventions; Availability for Licensing (FR Doc No: 2014-00123)

Center for Scientific Review; Notice of Closed Meetings (FR Doc No: 2014-00470)

EMA Recommends 81 Medicines for Marketing Authorization in 2013

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NEW Postdoctoral Position – Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine (RUNMC)

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Morphogenetic Signaling Pathways in Development and Disease (University of Rochester Medical Center)

Scientific Affairs Coordinator (American Society of Hematology)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Brigham & Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School)

Postdoctoral Associate – Hematopoietic Differentiation (Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine)

Stem Cell Manufacturing Scientist (Paramount Recruitment)

Postdoctoral Position – Stem Cells and Bioengineering (Queensland University of Technology/Translational Research Institute)

Clinical MD – Clinical Development Program for Oncology and Autoimmune Diseases (Immunomedics, Inc.)

Chief Medical Officer (Immunomedics, Inc.)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cardiovascular Tissue Engineering (Stanford University School of Medicine)

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