Cell Therapy News Volume 16.01 | Jan 12 2015

Effect of Repetitive Intra-Arterial Infusion of Bone Marrow Mononuclear Cells in Patients with No-Option Limb Ischemia: The Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Juventas Trial
The Juventas trial is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial in 160 patients with severe, non-revascularizable limb ischemia. Scientists determined whether repetitive intra-arterial infusion of bone marrow mononuclear cells in patients with severe, non-revascularizable limb ischemia could prevent major amputation. [Circulation] Abstract

Localized RNAi Therapeutics of Chemoresistant Grade IV Glioma Using Hyaluronan-Grafted Lipid-Based Nanoparticles
Researchers devised a localized strategy to deliver RNA interference (RNAi) directly to the glioblastoma multiforme site using hyaluronan-grafted lipid-based nanoparticles (LNPs). These LNPs were previously shown to be highly effective in delivering small interfering RNAs into various cell types. [ACS Nano] Abstract

Three-Dimensional CaP/Gelatin Lattice Scaffolds with Integrated Osteoinductive Surface Topographies for Bone Tissue Engineering
A novel fabrication process using computer numerically controlled machining and lamination is reported to make 3D calcium phosphate/gelatin composite scaffolds with integrated surface micropatterns that are introduced by embossing prior to machining. Both in vitro and in vivo studies show that micropatterned composite scaffolds with surfaces comprising 40 μm pits and 50 μm grooves were optimal for improved osteogenesis. [Biofabrication] Abstract

Permanent Acceptance of Mouse Cardiac Allografts with CD40 siRNA to Induce Regulatory Myeloid Cells by Use of a Novel Polysaccharide siRNA Delivery System
Scientists developed a novel small interfering RNA (siRNA) delivery system with a poly-dA extension at the 5′-end of the siRNA sense strand that was stably incorporated into 1,3-β-glucan. This was captured and incorporated into dendritic cells through its receptor, Dectin-1, specifically silencing CD40 genes to exert immunoregulatory activity. [Gene Ther] Abstract

TGF-β₁-siRNA Delivery with Nanoparticles Inhibits Peritoneal Fibrosis
Investigators attempted to develop an in vivo small interfering RNA (siRNA) delivery system with liposome-based nanoparticles to the peritoneum to inhibit peritoneal fibrosis. [Gene Ther] Abstract

Safety and Feasibility for Pediatric Cardiac Regeneration Using Epicardial Delivery of Autologous Umbilical Cord Blood-Derived Mononuclear Cells Established in a Porcine Model System
Investigators aimed to establish a porcine pipeline to evaluate the feasibility and long-term safety of autologous umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells transplanted into the right ventricle of juvenile porcine hearts. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Abstract

Therapeutic Potential of Adipose-Derived SSEA-3-Positive Muse Cells for Treating Diabetic Skin Ulcers
Skin ulcers were generated in severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice with type 1 diabetes, which showed delayed wound healing compared with nondiabetic SCID mice. Treatment with stage-specific embryonic antigen-3 (SSEA-3)⁺-enriched fraction (Muse-rich) cells significantly accelerated wound healing compared with treatment with Muse-poor cells. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Abstract

Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the cell, gene and immunotherapy research field.

Arrowhead Provides Update on IND for ARC-520 Phase IIb Study
Arrowhead Research Corporation, a biopharmaceutical company developing targeted RNAi therapeutics, announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration verbally informed the company in a preliminary call of a partial clinical hold, under which the company is cleared to begin a modified multiple-dose study of ARC-520 in patients with chronic hepatitis B infection. [Arrowhead Research Corporation] Press Release

From our sponsor:
Learn About Groundbreaking Applications for Feeder-Free hESC & hiPSC Culture. Watch Webinar Now

Largest U.S. Biomedical Research Society Weighs in on NIH’s Budget Woes
Biomedical researchers are once again wringing their hands about a surfeit of scientists chasing too few research dollars and academic jobs. In a report, the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, which represents more than 120,000 scientists, endorses familiar solutions and adds a few new ones. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Incyte and Agenus Announce Global Alliance to Develop Novel Immuno-Oncology Antibodies
Incyte Corporation and Agenus Inc. announced a global license, development and commercialization agreement focused on novel immuno-therapeutics using Agenus’ proprietary Retrocyte Display™ antibody discovery platform. [Incyte Corporation] Press Release

Argos Therapeutics and Saint-Gobain Announce Agreement for Production of Disposables Used in Automated Manufacturing of Fully Personalized Immunotherapies
Argos Therapeutics Inc. announced a collaboration with Saint-Gobain’s Performance Plastics division. Saint-Gobain will partner with Argos to design, integrate and scale production of a range of disposables for use in the automated manufacturing of Argos’ lead product candidate, AGS-003, currently being tested in a Phase III clinical trial for the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma. [Argos Therapeutics Inc.] Press Release

Intellia Therapeutics, Novartis Form Partnership to Develop New Cell Therapies Using CRISPR/Cas9 Technology
Intellia Therapeutics announced a five-year research and development collaboration with Novartis to accelerate the ex vivo development of new CRISPR/Cas9-based therapies using chimeric antigen receptor T cells and hematopoietic stem cells. [Intellia Therapeutics] Press Release

MedImmune Enters Licensing Agreement with Omnis Pharmaceuticals for Oncolytic Viruses in Immuno-Oncology
AstraZeneca announced that MedImmune has entered into a licensing agreement with Omnis Pharmaceuticals. This agreement will allow MedImmune to combine key agents from its investigational immunotherapy portfolio with Omnis’ lead investigational oncolytic virus program, a genetically engineered strain of vesicular stomatitis virus. [AstraZeneca] Press Release

Cardio3 BioSciences Enters Immuno-Oncology Space with Acquisition of OnCyte CAR T-Cell Portfolio from Celdara Medical
Cardio3 BioSciences announced the acquisition of OnCyte, the oncology division of privately-held U.S. biotechnology company Celdara Medical, and its portfolio of immuno-oncology product candidates. [Cardio3 BioSciences] Press Release

Aratana Therapeutics Granted Full License for AT-004 by USDA
Aratana Therapeutics, Inc. announced that AT-004, the company’s canine-specific monoclonal antibody targeting CD20 as an aid in the treatment of B-cell lymphoma in dogs, has received a full license from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). [Aratana Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

Argos Therapeutics Provides Update on Clinical Research for Investigational Fully Personalized Immunotherapy for the Treatment of HIV
Argos Therapeutics Inc. provided an update on its clinical research program for AGS-004, the company’s investigational fully personalized immunotherapy for the treatment of HIV. The primary endpoint of the trial was not achieved. [Argos Therapeutics Inc.] Press Release

OncoSec Medical Plans to Initiate Pilot Study in Triple Negative Breast Cancer
OncoSec Medical Inc., a company developing DNA-based intratumoral cancer immunotherapies plans to initiate a pilot study to assess IL-12 ImmunoPulse in patients with triple negative breast cancer. [OncoSec Medical Inc.] Press Release

Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for Office of Management and Budget Review; Comment Request; Guidance for Industry on Postmarketing Adverse Event Reporting for Medical Products and Dietary Supplements During an Influenza Pandemic; Availability (FR Doc. No: 2014-30907)

Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the cell, gene and immunotherapy community.

NEW Cell Therapy Manufacturing Scientist (SLS Services Ltd.)

NEW Postdoctoral Fellowship – CNS Inflammation (Rutgers University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Radiation Therapy and Immunotherapy (Georgia Regents University Cancer Center)

PhD Student – Experimental Leukemia Research (University Children’s Hospital Basel)

Cell Therapy Senior Manager (taylorollinson Ltd.)

Mesenchymal Stem Cell (MSC) Laboratory Technician (California Cryobank)

Clinical Laboratory Scientist – Umbilical Cord Blood Processing (California Cryobank)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Chromatin and Epigenetic Regulation (Van Andel Research Institute)

Scientist – Reprogramming and Pluripotent Stem Cell Biology (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – PSC Biology and Bioengineering (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Pluripotent Stem Cell Media Development, High Throughput Screening (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Cell Culture Support Products (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Liver Cell Biology (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Immunology/Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Recruit Top Talent: Reach more than 50,000 potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.