Cell Therapy News Volume 9.13 | Apr 7 2008

Recruit Top Talent at the 2008 ISCT Annual Meeting
Are you interested in recruiting for a cell therapy-related position in your company or institution? The inaugural Cell Therapy News and ISCT Joint Job Posting program is the perfect opportunity to highlight your organization, profile open positions, and recruit highly qualified cell therapy professionals from a captive audience of cell therapy experts, including scientists, technologists, and business professionals.
Visit Here to particpate in this program.

Advanced Cell Technology Platform Yields Over 140 Cell Types from Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. reported recently on a large-scale differentiation process that has generated panels of differentiating human progenitor cell lines from human embryonic stem cells.
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Uterine Stem Cells Create New Neurons That Can Curb Parkinson’s Disease
The injection of uterine stem cells trigger growth of new brain cells in mice with Parkinson’s disease, Yale School of Medicine researchers report.
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Stem Cells from Hair Follicles May Help "Grow" New Blood Vessels
For a rich source of stem cells to be engineered into new blood vessels or skin tissue, clinicians may one day look no further than the hair on their patients’ heads, according to new research published earlier this month by University at Buffalo engineers.
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Key Factor in Brain Development Revealed, Offers Insight Into Disorder
In the earliest days of brain development, the brain’s first cells, neuroepithelial stem cells, divide continuously, producing a population of cells that eventually evolves into the various cells of the fully formed brain. Now, scientists have identified a gene that, in mice, is critical for these stem cells to divide correctly. Without it, they fail to divide, and die.
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Argos Therapeutics Presents Positive Phase 1 Safety Data for its Arcelis(TM) Platform in HIV at Keystone Symposia
Argos Therapeutics recently announced the presentation of positive safety and feasibility data from a Phase 1 clinical trial of AGS-004 in HIV-infected adults in combination with antiretroviral therapy. AGS-004 is an adaptation of the Company’s Arcelis(TM) technology, a personalized, RNA-loaded dendritic cell-based immunotherapy that is perfectly matched to each patient’s unique viral burden.
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Amorcyte Completes Phase I Trial of Stem Cell Therapy for Acute Myocardial Infarction
Amorcyte, Inc. announced recently the completion of the phase I clinical trial of its lead product, AMR-001 – an autologous stem cell product for the treatment of damaged heart muscle following acute myocardial infarction.
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Seismic Study Issues Glum Report On Cell Therapy
A study in which interventional cardiologists injected muscle cells into scarred areas of the heart using a needle-tipped catheter has reported mixed results in patients with congestive heart failure.
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Promising Quest for Cure
Doctors at Johns Hopkins Hospital say a patient has been cured of sickle cell disease using an experimental bone marrow transplant.
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Post-ISCF Clinical Grade Stem Cell Banking Meeting
April 19-23, 2008 | Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing
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State of Stem Cell Advocacy 2008
The conference will be held on April 12-13 at UCSF Mission Bay Conference Center. Americans for Cures Foundation welcomes new and experienced advocates of all diseases and conditions to learn approaches that can further their advocacy for the facts and promise of stem cell research. Registration for the event is open at Americans for Cures Foundation.
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ABSTRACTS, REVIEWS AND SPECIAL REPORTS

Transplantation of Hypoxia-Preconditioned Mesenchymal Stem Cells Improves Infarcted Heart Function Via Enhanced Survival of Implanted Cells and Angiogenesis
This study explored the novel strategy of hypoxic preconditioning of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells before transplantation into the infarcted heart to promote their survival and therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cell transplantation after myocardial ischemia.
Abstract

Complete Molecular Responses are Achieved Following Reduced Intensity Stem Cell Transplantation and Donor Lymphocyte Infusion in Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia
Patients with newly diagnosed chronic phase chronic myeloid leukaemia were treated with imatinib mesylate, for 6-12 months to establish disease control, prior to reduced intensity stem cell transplantation. BCR-ABL transcripts continue to decrease post-reduced intensity stem cell transplantation and 8 (53%) patients have achieved sustained undetectable levels.
Abstract

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Stem Cell Laboratory Medical Technologist
Saudi Arabia (National Guard Health Affairs)
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Stem Cell Laboratory Supervisor
Saudi Arabia (National Guard Health Affairs)
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Quality Management Supervisor
Saudi Arabia (National Guard Health Affairs)
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Medical Director
Tucson, AZ (Cbr Systems, Inc.)
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Stem Cell Bill Stokes U.K. Abortion Debate
In coming weeks, the lower house of Parliament will take up a bill on embryonic and stem cell research. Abortion isn’t directly mentioned in the legislation, but because the measure deals with embryos, it could be amended to modify the abortion law that has been in place since 1990.
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First Human-Animal Embryos in U.K. Bring Opposition
Lyle Armstrong and colleagues at Newcastle University made embryos using human cells and a cow egg, the college said recently in a statement on its Web site.
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Missouri House OKs $22.5 Billion Operating Budget
The House turned back an effort to delete $25.2 million in grants for life-sciences research after Democrats and Republicans decide to work together.
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Stem Cell Research Could Appear on November Ballot
The fate of embryonic stem cell research in Michigan might rest in voters’ hands if a grassroots campaign collects enough signatures by July 7.
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Connecticut State Stem Cell Grants Awarded
The Connecticut Stem Cell Research Advisory Committee doled out almost $10 million in state grants to Connecticut scientists Tuesday, including one that has the potential to take some of the controversy out of stem cell research.
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Lentigen Signs Brain Cancer Agreement With University
Lentigen and Case Western Reserve University will collaborate to develop a stem-cell therapy for glioblastoma, an aggressive type of brain cancer.
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Tekmira Pharmaceuticals and Protiva Biotherapeutics Announce Business Combination to Create Global Leader in RNAi Delivery and Therapeutics
Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corporation and Protiva Biotherapeutics Inc. announced recently that they have signed a Share Purchase Agreement under which the two Vancouver-based companies will combine their businesses by Tekmira purchasing the outstanding equity of privately owned Protiva.
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Cell Genesys and Takeda Announce Global Alliance for the Development and Commercialization of GVAX Immunotherapy for Prostate Cancer
Cell Genesys, Inc. and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited recently announced that the companies have formed a global alliance for the development and commercialization of GVAX immunotherapy for prostate cancer, Cell Genesys’ lead product candidate currently in Phase 3 clinical development.
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International Stem Cell Corporation Announces Manufacturing and Supply Agreement with ATCC
International Stem Cell Corporation announced recently that it has entered into an agreement with ATCC to manufacture living primary cells and cell culture products for worldwide distribution by ATCC into the biological research market.
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ImmuneRegen(R) BioSciences Signs Material Transfer Agreement with University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey 
ImmuneRegen will ship its drug candidate Homspera(TM) to the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey’s eminent stem cell researcher, Professor Pranela Rameshwar, Ph.D., for testing the compound’s effect in stimulating stem cell activity of human bone marrow.
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Cellworks and Lifeline Hospitals Enter into Collaboration and Licensing Agreement in Oncology
Cellworks Research India Ltd and Lifeline Multi Speciality Hospitals have announced one year research collaboration in the area of oncology with emphasis on study of the role of Tumor Stem Cells in cancer pathology and progression.
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Yale Receives More than $5 Million in Stem Cell Funding
Twelve Yale University stem cell research proposals received $5.66 million in funding from the Connecticut Stem Cell Research Advisory Committee.
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Cytovance(R) Biologics Announces New CEO 
Cytovance recently announced the selection of Atlanta biotech executive Darren Head as Chief Executive Officer.
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Amsterdam Molecular Therapeutics to Appoint George Morstyn to Supervisory Board
Amsterdam Molecular Therapeutics announced that AMT’s Supervisory Board has decided to propose Dr. George Morstyn to be appointed to the Supervisory Board.
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NIH to Host Research Symposium on Clinical Applications of Stem Cell Therapies
“Challenges and Promise of Cell-Based Therapies” is a one-day symposium to explore promising research in regenerative medicine using stem cells.
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NIH Announces New Centralized Processing Center for Receipt of Grant Closeout Documents and Reminds Grantees of Required Closeout Reports for NIH Assistance Awards
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Cryopreservation of Germplasm for Effective Management of Animal Genetic Resources (R21)
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Overview of the Regulation of Biological Products (Blood Components and Tissues) – Slide Presentation
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FDA/NIST Sponsored Workshop: In Vitro Analyses of Cell/Scaffold Products – Slide Presentations
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Public Workshop: Safety of Hemoglobin-Based Oxygen Carriers (HBOCs) – Updated Meeting Location
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FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION (United States)

Amendment to the Current Good Manufacturing Practice Regulations for Finished Pharmaceuticals; Withdrawal
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14th ISCT Annual Meeting

May 17-20, 2008
Downtown Miami, Florida

Full details at: www.celltherapysociety.org