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August 4, 2009

Welcome to issue number 6 of Stem Cell Action News, dedicated to informing the stem cell community on the latest and most important developments impacting the Pro-Cures Movement.

This issue of Stem Cell Action News is proudly sponsored by Helixis, makers of personal Real-Time PCR instruments.  We encourage all readers to register for the free Helixis Basics of Real-Time PCR educational Webinar. 
â—„ To register simply click on the webinar time slot button to your left that best fits your schedule.

Business
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Osiris Earns Milestone Payment for Progress Developing Stem Cell Therapy for Type 1 Diabetes 01/08-200900:21 (Zibb)
Osiris Therapeutics, Inc. announced that it has achieved a $750,000 milestone payment from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) for progress made on a Phase II clinical trial evaluating Prochymal, an adult mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy, as a treatment for patients recently diagnosed with...
http://www.zibb.com/article/5433796/Osiris+Earns+Milestone+Payment+for+Progress+Developing+Stem+Cell+Therapy+for+Type+Diabetes


Microarray system advances process for HLA in stem cell and solid organ transplant research 31/07-200922:36 (Drug Discovery News)
Invitrogen, part of Life Technologies Corp. Invitrogen, part of Life Technologies Corp., has announced the commercial availability of a state-of-the-art, automated, research-use microarray system designed to simplify immunogenetic testing, including human leukocyte antigen (HLA) research.
http://www.drugdiscoverynews.com/index.php?newsarticle=3167


Geron to provide stem cells to GE Healthcare 31/07-200919:12 (Congoo)
MENLO PARK, Calif.-Geron Corp. has reached an agreement to provide stem cells to GE Healthcare for use in tools that will test for the toxic effects of drug treatments, a move that takes GE further into stem cell research.
http://www.congoo.com/news/2009July31/Geron-provide-stem-cells-Healthcare


Astrazeneca and Cellartis extend their collaboration to develop new way to test drug safety using stem cells 31/07-200919:00 (Bio-Dundee)
AstraZeneca and Cellartis AB announced today that they have signed an extension to their ongoing scientific collaboration to develop improved safety screening systems based on human embryonic stem cell (hESC) derived hepatocytes (liver cells) and cardiomyocytes (heart muscle cells) for target and lead...
http://www.biodundee.co.uk/index.asp?lm=9&nid=423&newsdate=082009


Stem Cell specialist Epistem says trading strong, expects maiden full year profit 31/07-200906:16 (Proactiveinvestors)
Adult epithelial stem cell specialist, Epistem plc (AIM: EHP) confirmed yesterday that it would post a maiden profit after tax for the full year ending 30 June 2009, thanks to "strong" trading and a tax credit from the prior year.
http://www.proactiveinvestors.co.uk/companies/news/6978/stem-cell-specialist-epistem-says-trading-strong-expects-maiden-full-year-profit-6978.html


Stem Cell Therapeutics (SSS.V) Announces Publication of Phase I Stroke Data 30/07-200917:45 (Biospace)
CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - July 30, 2009) - Stem Cell Therapeutics Corp. ("SCT" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: SSS) is pleased to announce the acceptance and publication of the paper entitled "Open labeled, uncontrolled pharmacokinetic study of single intramuscular hCG dose in healthy male volunteers"...
http://www.biospace.com/news_story.aspx?NewsEntityId=151752


FDA Clears REGEN Trial to Test Gene/Stem Cell Therapy in Heart Failure Patients 30/07-200912:20 (Congoo)
Bioheart Inc. today said the FDA cleared a phase I clinical trial for MyoCell SDF-1 (Stromal Derived Factor - 1) to treat congestive heart failure.
http://www.congoo.com/news/2009July30/FDA-Clears-REGEN-Trial-Test


Osiris Achieves Milestone Payment for Progress Developing Stem Cell Therapy for Type 1 Diabetes 29/07-200916:18 (Fierce Biotech)
Posted July 28, 2009 Osiris Achieves Milestone Payment for Progress Developing Stem Cell Therapy for Type 1 Diabetes Review of Safety Data Leads to Expansion of Clinical Trial to Include Pediatric Patients COLUMBIA, Md.
http://www.fiercebiotech.com/press-releases/osiris-achieves-milestone-payment-progress-developing-stem-cell-therapy-type-1-diabet


Aldagen, Inc. Announces Review Article on Potential of Its Adult Stem Cell Therapies for Cardiovascular Diseases 29/07-200914:55 (Biospace)
DURHAM, NC--(Marketwire - July 29, 2009) - Aldagen, Inc. today announced that it authored a review article describing the potential of ALDH-bright (ALDH(br)) adult stem cells to treat cardiovascular diseases.
http://www.biospace.com/news_story.aspx?NewsEntityId=151587&Source=MoreNews


Millipore Introduces New Fluorescing Stem Cell Lines For Non-Invasive Analysis of Differentiation Millipore Corporation 29/07-200912:28 (Select Science)
Millipore Corporation, a leading provider of technologies, tools and services for the global life science industry, today announced the introduction of three new MilliTrace™ stem cell lines, which express green fluorescent protein (GFP) under the control of various embryonic and neural stem cell markers.
http://www.selectscience.net/product-news/millipore-corporation/millipore-introduces-new-fluorescing-stem-cell-lines-for-non-invasive-analysis-of-differentiation/?artID=18622&u=9E53567E-E2B8-4504-A8FB-CCE9193D4B07


Cellular Dynamics produces first stem cells from human blood 23/07-200910:19 (American Academy Of Anti-Aging Medicine)
For the first time, researchers have found a way to generate stem cells from ordinary human blood. The work being done by scientists at Cellular Dynamics International (CDI) of Madison, Wisconsin is the first to involve stem cells made from something readily available, in this case human blood samples.
http://www.worldhealth.net/news/cellular_dynamics_produces_first_stem_ce


Mesoblast to obtain TGA approval for its stem cell products 23/07-200908:33 (Congoo)
Australian regenerative medicine company, Mesoblast has announced that it had commenced a formal process aimed at obtaining licenses from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) to commercially manufacture and distribute its adult stem cell products in Australia.
http://www.congoo.com/news/2009July23/Mesoblast-obtain-TGA-approval-stem


Stem Cell Treatments in the News: NeoStem Featured on CBS's Eye on New York 22/07-200918:53 (PR Newswire)
NEW YORK, July 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- NeoStem, Inc. (NYSE: NBS) (AMEX: NBS) today announced that the Company was featured on CBS's Eye on New York City on Sunday morning July 19, 2009.
http://sev.prnewswire.com/health-care-hospitals/20090722/NY5009722072009-1.html


Stem Cell Therapeutics Corp. Receives Green Light to Begin Enrolling Patients in the India Phase IIb Acute Ischemic Stroke Trial 21/07-200919:13 (RCR Wireless: Stock Watch)
CALGARY, ALBERTA -- (Marketwire) -- 07/21/09 -- Stem Cell Therapeutics Corp. ("SCT" or the "Company") (TSXV:SSS) has received a No Objection Letter ("NOL") from the Drug Controller General of India ("DCGI") to initiate the Phase IIb acute ischemic stroke trial.
http://stocks.rcrwireless.com/crain/?Account=rcrwireless&GUID=9484714&Page=MediaViewer&Ticker=SSS


America Stem Cell Gets $2.5 Million from the Texas Emerging Technology Fund 21/07-200905:33 (Congoo)
America Stem Cell, Inc. announced that the company has been awarded $2.5 million from the State of Texas Emerging Technology Fund. In a release, the company noted that the investment will enable it to accelerate the development of its breakthrough enzyme technology to enhance the homing and engraftm.
http://www.congoo.com/news/2009July21/America-Stem-Cell-Million-Texas

Headlines & Advocacy
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Stem cells 'cure diabetes' 01/08-200918:43 (Londonderry Sentinel)
"Stem cell transplants 'have freed patients with type 1 diabetes of daily insulin injections'" The Daily Telegraph has said. The news comes after research which allowed volunteers to go, on average, for two and a half years without using the multiple daily injections normally needed to manage their condition.
http://www.londonderrysentinel.co.uk/health-news-from-nhs-choices/Stem-cells-39cure-diabetes39.5515030.jp


NY taxpayers to paydonors for stem cell studies 31/07-200919:51 (Newswest9.com)
Posted: Updated: NEW YORK (AP) — Hanqi Miao said she wanted to donate her eggs to help infertile couples reproduce, but she acknowledged the money is good, too: She said she'll be paid about $5,000.
http://www.kwes.com/Global/story.asp?S=10823570&nav=menu505_2_9


Gunning for Arthritis with E-Knees and Stem Cells 31/07-200919:47 (Voice of San Diego)
Thursday, July 30, 2009 | The sporting world was transfixed a year ago June as Tiger Woods hobbled around the Torrey Pines Golf Course on a bad knee on his way to one of the most dramatic U.
http://www.voiceofsandiego.org/articles/2009/07/30/science/879arthritis073009.txt


Geron to provide stem cells to GE Healthcare 31/07-200919:12 (Congoo)
MENLO PARK, Calif.-Geron Corp. has reached an agreement to provide stem cells to GE Healthcare for use in tools that will test for the toxic effects of drug treatments, a move that takes GE further into stem cell research.
http://www.congoo.com/news/2009July31/Geron-provide-stem-cells-Healthcare


First U.K. Stem Cell Awareness Rally to Take Place in Manchester, England on August 9th, 2009 31/07-200918:48 (I Newswire)
Manchester, England, July 31st, 2009 – In what will be the Stem Cell Awareness Association's (www.stemcellaware.com) seventh awareness rally, past patients, interested physicians, and prospective patients will meet in Manchester to learn about stem cell technologies and discuss the various current treatments...
http://www.i-newswire.com/pr313446.html


Stem Cell Therapeutics (SSS.V) Announces Publication of Phase I Stroke Data 30/07-200917:45 (Biospace)
CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - July 30, 2009) - Stem Cell Therapeutics Corp. ("SCT" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: SSS) is pleased to announce the acceptance and publication of the paper entitled "Open labeled, uncontrolled pharmacokinetic study of single intramuscular hCG dose in healthy male volunteers"...
http://www.biospace.com/news_story.aspx?NewsEntityId=151752


Hungarian police arrest int'l team for illegal stem cell treatment 30/07-200908:55 (People's Daily Online (Eng))
The Hungarian police arrested four people, two foreigners and two Hungarians, on charges of illegally treating patients with stem cells, and a court ruled on Wednesday that the four were to be held in preliminary detention, the local wire service MTI reported.
http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90853/6713988.html


Hundreds turn out for stem cell registry 29/07-200922:11 (Patriot-News)
Several hundred people turned out Wednesday night in Camp Hill to join the Be The Match nationwide stem cell and marrow registry in hopes of finding a match for a Middlesex Twp.
http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2009/07/hundreds_turn_out_for_stem_cel.html


Zeng presents iPS cell paper at stem cell summit 29/07-200907:29 (Laboratory Talk)
Fanyi Zeng, of the Institute of Medical Genetics at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, is to present her recently published paper on iPS cells producing viable mice at the 2009 World Stem Cell Summit.
http://www.laboratorytalk.com/news/flm/flm119.html


Researchers May Have Found Equivalent of Embryonic Stem Cells 23/07-200921:45 (The Washington Post)
Washington Post Staff Writer Friday, July 24, 2009 Chinese scientists have bred mice from cells that might offer an alternative to human embryonic stem cells, producing the most definitive evidence yet that the technique could help sidestep many of the explosive ethical issues engulfing the controversial...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/23/AR2009072301786.html?hpid=moreheadlines


Scientists Use Adult Stem Cells to Create Healthy Mice 23/07-200917:12 (U.S. News & World Report (AP))
Achievement shows how 'plastic' these non-embryonic cells can be, experts...
http://health.usnews.com/articles/health/healthday/2009/07/23/scientists-use-adult-stem-cells-to-create-healthy.html


Is Tiny the Mouse a Big Leap for Stem Cells? 23/07-200913:44 (ABC News)
Chinese Team Says Stem Cells Made Without Killing...
http://www.abcnews.go.com/Technology/Health/story?id=8154942&page=1


Scientists Grow Mice From a New Kind of Stem Cell 23/07-200912:26 (Time Magazine (Europe))
Mice are bred all the time in laboratories around the world. So, generally speaking, the birth of a couple dozen more lab mice isn't worth noting. But this week, two groups of scientists in China separately reported that they had created a new kind of mouse grown entirely from a type of stem cell that...
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1912375,00.html


New Lease on Life for Australian Stem Cell Centre 23/07-200910:34 (Science AAAS)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA—The Australian Stem Cell Centre (ASCC) hopes that a new business plan will help it regain momentum in the last 2 years of its term.
http://blogs.sciencemag.org/scienceinsider/2009/07/new-lease-on-li.html


Good News: Mayo Clinic Treats Heart Damage with Adult Stem Cells 21/07-200919:47 (Citizenlink.com)
A new study from the Mayo Clinic shows that re-engineered, personalized adult stem cells have been used to help repair heart damage that occurs after cardiac arrest.
http://www.citizenlink.org/content/A000010545.cfm


2009 World Stem Cell Summit Co-Sponsored By Johns Hopkins Medicine 21/07-200905:53 (Medical News Today)
WHAT: Johns Hopkins Medicine is co-sponsoring the 2009 World Stem Cell Summit to be held in Baltimore this September. http://www.worldstemcellsummit.com/index .
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/158161.php

Policy
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Award-winning researcher's stem cell study offers hope for Parkinson's cure 02/08-200903:53 (Scotland on Sunday)
A GROUND-BREAKING stem cell study being carried out in Scotland could finally lead to a cure for Parkinson's disease.
http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/edinburgh/Awardwinning-researcher39s-stem-cell-study.5515843.jp


Stem Cell Grants 01/08-200908:40 (Channel 8 Eyewitness News)
Landscaping 101 RSS Feeds From KLKNTV.com Mr. Food ABC News Sign-Up For Daily Weather Forecasts The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services has awarded six $150,000 grants to universities that want to do stem cell research.
http://www.klkntv.com/Global/story.asp?S=10803389&nav=menu96_1_7_6


NY taxpayers to paydonors for stem cell studies 31/07-200919:51 (Newswest9.com)
Posted: Updated: NEW YORK (AP) — Hanqi Miao said she wanted to donate her eggs to help infertile couples reproduce, but she acknowledged the money is good, too: She said she'll be paid about $5,000.
http://www.kwes.com/Global/story.asp?S=10823570&nav=menu505_2_9


N.Y. taxpayers to pay donors for stem cell studies 31/07-200903:38 (Washington Examiner)
NEW YORK — Hanqi Miao said she wanted to donate her eggs to help infertile couples reproduce, but she acknowledged the money is good, too: She said she'll be paid about $5,000.
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/nation/NY-taxpayers-to-pay-donors-for-stem-cell-studies_07_31-52116367.html


Germany tightens law on stem cell treatments 28/07-200911:38 (BMJ)
Ned Stafford Hamburg Treatments in Germany involving adult stem cells will be moreclosely regulated after revision of Germany s medicalproducts law received final approval by the Bundesrat, the upperhouse of parliament.
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/339/jul28_3/b2967


Nebraska Schools Get Stem Cell Grants 28/07-200911:19 (KGFW 1340 AM)
(AP) - Three universities in Nebraska have received a total of $900,000 from the state to fund non-embryonic stem-cell research. The University of Nebraska Medical Center will receive half the money for three separate projects, including a study of how non-embryonic stem cells might help people with...
http://www.kgfw.com/index.php?more=5gkxexds


UQ Researchers Awarded Australian Stem Cell Funding 25/07-200910:14 (Current)
Two University of Queensland researchers will drive the translation of stem cell biology into economic benefit through their leadership of new research programs, announced by the Australian Stem Cell Centre.
http://current.com/items/90524495_uq-researchers-awarded-australian-stem-cell-funding.htm


New Lease on Life for Australian Stem Cell Centre 23/07-200910:34 (Science AAAS)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA—The Australian Stem Cell Centre (ASCC) hopes that a new business plan will help it regain momentum in the last 2 years of its term.
http://blogs.sciencemag.org/scienceinsider/2009/07/new-lease-on-li.html

Science
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Stem cell 'daughters' can cause breast cancer 03/08-200905:55 (Japan Herald)
Washington, Aug. 3 : The "daughters" of breast stem cells, called luminal progenitor cells, are found to be responsible for breast cancers that develop in women carrying mutations in the gene BRCA1, according to scientists at Walter and Eliza Hall Institute.
http://story.japanherald.com/index.php/ct/9/cid/a1e025da3c02ca7c/id/526481/cs/1/


Mayo Clinic - Induced pluripotent stem cells repair heart, Mayo Clinic study shows 01/08-200919:43 (Congoo)
Learn more about a six-week, no-risk free trial of Heart Disease Weekly We're a pay-per-view site for premium content. If you'd like to purchase this article, it's only $3.
http://www.congoo.com/news/2009August1/Mayo-Clinic-Induced-pluripotent-stem


UF scientists program blood stem cells to become vision cells 01/08-200910:40 (Science Centric)
University of Florida researchers were able to program bone marrow stem cells to repair damaged retinas in mice, suggesting a potential treatment for one of the most common causes of vision loss in older people.
http://www.sciencecentric.com/news/article.php?q=09080112-uf-scientists-program-blood-stem-cells-become-vision-cells


WPI, CellThera Researchers Turn On Stem Cells 29/07-200922:03 (Congoo)
Worcester Business Journal Staff Writer Today A team of researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute's Life Sciences and Bioengineering Center at Gateway Park in Worcester has found a way to turn on stem cell genes in human skin cells without inserting extra genes or using viruses.
http://www.congoo.com/news/2009July30/WPI-CellThera-Researchers-Turn-Stem


Hedgehog signalling is essential for maintenance of cancer stem cells in myeloid leukaemia 29/07-200919:49 (Nature.com refers DOI)
Chen Zhao, Alan Chen, Catriona H. Jamieson, Mark Fereshteh, Annelie Abrahamsson, Jordan Blum, Hyog Young Kwon, Jynho Kim, John P. Chute, David Rizzieri, Michael Munchhof, Todd VanArsdale, Philip A.
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v460/n7255/full/nature08255.html


Stem Cells Against False Joints :: Russia-InfoCentre 24/07-200915:30 (Russia Info Centre)
Russian scientists started clinical trials of treating false joints by means of demineralized bone matrix with introduced mesenchymal stem cells of a patient.
http://www.russia-ic.com/news/show/8655/


Boffins equip sutures with stem cells..., Tech - TechTalk - Mumbai Mirror,Mumbai Mirror 22/07-200917:08 (Mumbai Mirror)
Johns Hopkins biomedical engineering students have demonstrated a practical way to embed a patient's own adult stem cells in the surgical thread that doctors use to repair injuries such as ruptured tendons.
http://www.mumbaimirror.com/article/7/200907232009072302165100be1cb9c/Boffins-equip-sutures-with-stem-cells.html

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