JERUSALEM–(BUSINESS WIRE)–

Gamida Cell announced today that it has closed an internal E financing round of $10 million. All major shareholders participated.

The financing will be used to support the global commercialization of the companys lead cell therapy product, StemEx, in development as an alternative therapeutic treatment for patients with blood cancers, such as leukemia and lymphoma, who can be cured by bone marrow transplantation but do not have a matched bone marrow donor. The company is currently seeking a strategic partner to join in the global commercialization of StemEx.

The financing will also support the continued development of the companys pipeline of products, primarily the NiCord clinical trial for sickle cell disease and thalassemia.

Mr. Reuven Krupik, chairman of the board of Gamida Cell said, The investors were unanimous in their decision to reinvest, understanding the importance of bringing StemEx to market as well as maintaining the companys leadership role in the stem cell industry. Gamida Cell is a game changer.

The international, multi-center, pivotal registration, Phase III clinical trial of StemEx completed enrollment in February 2012. Clinical outcome is expected in Q4/2012. The market launch of StemEx is planned for 2013. StemEx is likely to be the first allogeneic stem cell product in the market. StemEx is being developed by the Gamida Cell-TEVA joint venture.

Dr. Yael Margolin, president and chief executive officer of Gamida Cell said, With the continued support of our shareholders and the analysis of the clinical results of the StemEx trial just around the corner, we are now focused on submitting the BLA.

StemEx is a graft of an expanded population of stem/progenitor cells, derived from part of a single unit of umbilical cord blood and transplanted by IV administration along with the remaining, non-manipulated cells from the same unit. Competing products in development use two units. As the average cost of a cord blood unit in the U.S. is $40K, StemEx is expected to be a significantly less expensive treatment option. StemEx is also expected to be available in the market several years before any of the competing products.

About Gamida Cell

Gamida Cell is a world leader in stem cell population expansion technologies and stem cell therapy products for transplantation and regenerative medicine. The companys pipeline of stem cell therapy products are in development to treat a wide range of conditions including blood cancers, solid tumors, non-malignant hematological diseases such as hemoglobinopathies, neutropenia and acute radiation syndrome, autoimmune diseases and metabolic diseases as well as conditions that can be helped by regenerative medicine. Gamida Cells therapeutic candidates contain populations of adult stem cells, selected from non-controversial sources such as umbilical cord blood, bone marrow and peripheral blood, which are expanded in culture. Gamida Cells current shareholders include: Elbit Imaging, Clal Biotechnology Industries, Israel Healthcare Venture, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Amgen, Denali Ventures and Auriga Ventures. For more information, please visit: www.gamida-cell.com.

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Gamida Cell Closes $10 Million E Financing Round Earmarked to Support the Global Commercialization of the Company’s …

SEBASTIAN Toby, a 6-year-old golden retriever, loves to run and play catch. And Oreo, a 12-year-old border collie mix, also is a bundle of energy.

Movement for both dogs got easier about a month ago when they received a revolutionary stem cell treatment at the Highlands Animal Hospital.

Veterinarian Marcus Kramer performed the successful transplant procedures, which were developed by Kentucky-based MediVet-America.

Both dogs had been in significant pain with a restricted range of motion, as shown on X-rays.

“It’s made a big difference,” said Kramer. “The really amazing thing is that they both healed so quickly. Both dogs had problems with their hips and were suffering from osteoarthritis. Just 30-days later, they are able to walk and run again.”

Adult animal stem cell technology uses the pet’s own regenerative healing power to treat dogs, cats and horses suffering from arthritis, hip dysplasia and tendon, ligament and cartilage injuries. Under anesthesia, Kramer removed about 40 grams of fat from each dog and separated the stem cells from the fat. He then activated the stem cells under an LED light, and injected them back into the dogs.

Stem cell therapy allows an animal to get off pain and anti-inflammatory drugs, Kramer said. MediVet-America’s therapy is done entirely at the animal hospital in about three hours, and costs about $1,800 for dogs and $2,400 for horses. That compares to thousands of dollars that pet owners could expect to pay for medication over a pet’s lifetime.

Erica Kent, a spokesman for MediVet-America, said using the LED light is integral to the patented-process, because the light helps to awaken stem cells and makes them more active. The three-color light stimulates millions of dormant cells to initiate repair from the moment the cells are injected into the animal’s body, according to the MediVet-America website.

The company is also offering a program that allows pet owners to bank stem cells when animals are younger to use if their pet develops illnesses like arthritis in old age.

STEM CELL THERAPY

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Sebastian veterinarian performs stem cell treatment for pets

WASHINGTON, May 15 (UPI) — Fifty percent of osteoporosis-related repeat fractures can be prevented, but only 2-in-10 bone breaks get a follow-up osteoporosis test, U.S. bone experts say.

The National Bone Health Alliance, a public-private partnership with 42 member organizations, is urging for those age 50 and older to request a test after suffering an initial fracture.

The public education campaign 2Million2Many — www.2Million2Many.org — reflects the 2 million bone breaks that occur in the United States each year caused by osteoporosis.

“The sad reality is that the vast majority of patients over age 50 presenting with their first bone break are not tested for osteoporosis, placing them at the highest risk to suffer another bone break which could cause severe debilitation or even death,” Dr. Robert Lindsay, chief of internal medicine at Helen Hayes Hospital and professor of clinical medicine at Columbia University, said in a statement.

“The number of annual fractures is expected to swell to around 3 million and cost the healthcare system $25 billion per year by 2025.”

Half of women and a quarter of men age 50 and older will suffer a bone break caused caused by osteoporosis in their lifetimes, Lindsay said.

The campaign built “Cast Mountain” — a 12-foot tall mountain of 5,500 casts representing the number of bone breaks that occur in just one day due to osteoporosis. The display will be touring the country at various events.

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Older adults with fracture should get test

WHAT: The Loyola Osteoporosis & Metabolic Bone Disease Center will offer free osteoporosis screenings with physician interpretation of results and a recommendation plan.

The following people are eligible for the screenings: -Women ages 50 and older with a strong family history of osteoporosis -Men and premenopausal women who have a history of low-trauma fractures -Men ages 70 and older and postmenopausal women who have not had a bone scan and have not been diagnosed with bone loss.

No appointment is necessary. Walk-ins are welcome. Visit LoyolaMedicine.org/lectures to sign up for electronic notifications. For more information, call (888) LUHS-888 (888-584-7888).

WHEN: 9 a.m. 1 p.m. on Friday, May 18 WHERE: Loyola Outpatient Center, 2160 S. First Ave., Maywood, IL 60153 MEDIA: Contact Nora Dudley in Media Relations at (708) 417-5014 with any questions.

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Loyola to Offer Free Osteoporosis Screenings

DUBLIN–(BUSINESS WIRE)–

Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/lr88jn/post_menopausal_os) has announced the addition of Global Markets Direct’s new report “Post Menopausal Osteoporosis – Pipeline Review, H1 2012″ to their offering.

Global Markets Direct’s, ‘Post Menopausal Osteoporosis – Pipeline Review, H1 2012′, provides an overview of the Post Menopausal Osteoporosis therapeutic pipeline. This report provides information on the therapeutic development for Post Menopausal Osteoporosis, complete with latest updates, and special features on late-stage and discontinued projects. It also reviews key players involved in the therapeutic development for Post Menopausal Osteoporosis.

‘Post Menopausal Osteoporosis – Pipeline Review, H1 2012′ is built using data and information sourced from Global Markets Direct’s proprietary databases, Company/University websites, SEC filings, investor presentations and featured press releases from company/university sites and industry-specific third party sources.

Scope

– A snapshot of the global therapeutic scenario for Post Menopausal Osteoporosis.

– A review of the Post Menopausal Osteoporosis products under development by companies and universities/research institutes based on information derived from company and industry-specific sources.

– Coverage of products based on various stages of development ranging from discovery till registration stages.

– A feature on pipeline projects on the basis of monotherapy and combined therapeutics.

– Coverage of the Post Menopausal Osteoporosis pipeline on the basis of route of administration and molecule type.

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Research and Markets: Post Menopausal Osteoporosis – Pipeline Review, H1 2012

NEW YORK, May 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ –Reportlinker.com announces that a new market research report is available in its catalogue:

Osteoporosis Drug Market- Global And China Market Analysis, Size, Trends And Forecast (2010-2015) http://www.reportlinker.com/p0861913/Osteoporosis-Drug-Market–Global-And-China-Market-Analysis-Size-Trends-And-Forecast-2010-2015.html#utm_source=prnewswire&utm_medium=pr&utm_campaign=Drug_and_Medication

In 2009, the global Osteoporosis drug market was worth USD 6.8 billion, with Bisphosphonate class of drugs leading the market. In the overall Bisphosphonate, ibandronate (Bonviva/Boniva; Roche) and zoledronate (Aclasta/Zometa; Novartis) accounted largest share in class, respectively, and showed an average sales growth rate of about of 20% in the past 2 years.

Amgen’s Denosumab is the recent entrant to the Osteoporosis treatment market, following its approval from the U.S. and European Union (also approved for bone loss associated with prostate cancer). Denosumab is expected to compete directly with the Bisphosphonate drug class. However, initial uptake of Denosumab is likely to be as second-line therapy, mostly in patients who are intolerant to Bisphosphonate. In addition to the treatment of Osteoporosis, there is substantial potential for Denosumab for treating bone loss in patients with cancer. Denosumab market is expected to reach USD 3.8 billion in 2015.

Our research indicates that the Osteoporosis drug pipeline is going strong with various phases of clinical development. Phase III has first-in-class products such as odanacatib, which possess a novel mechanism of action to combat Osteoporosis. Aprela is another drug in the stage of development.

The Chinese Osteoporosis drug Industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 13.5% from 2010 to 2015. Increased prevalence of Osteoporosis among Chinese female population is the principal growth driver of the Osteoporosis drug Industry. The other key growth drivers for Chinese Osteoporosis market include increasing elderly aged population, rising living standards of the Chinese people and increasing awareness and bone health education. Geographical analysis of Chinese Osteoporosis drug market shows that there is a huge growth potential for Osteoporosis drug in many cities including Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, and Hangzhou.

To gain a competitive advantage, market players should develop cost-competitive drugs with easy dosage pattern, which promote bone building effectively. Large numbers of patients are unable to comply with the strict dosage schedule of traditional Osteoporosis drugs. Further research and development can address the unmet need by coming up with drugs that have a convenient dosage schedule with better efficacy and safety compared to traditional treatment of Osteoporosis.

After 2012, the Parathyroid Hormone and SERM Osteoporosis drug class market is expected to decline because of anticipated growth of Prolia (Denosumab), which will largely affect other drugs’ market share.

Scope and Overview

The objective of the study on “Global and China Osteoporosis Drug Industry Analysis and Forecast (2009 2015)” is to gain detailed market insights for key Osteoporosis drugs market segments. The market is analyzed on the basis of growth trends, ongoing developments, market penetration and revenue share. The report also covers the strategies followed by “Osteoporosis Drugs Market” players.

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Osteoporosis Drug Market- Global And China Market Analysis, Size, Trends And Forecast (2010-2015)

NEWTON, Mass., May 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ –Parcell Laboratories, a leading adult stem cell company based in Newton, MA, was awarded the prestigious 2012 Innovation Award by the Smaller Business Association of New England (SBANE). Parcell joins the select list of winning companies from the last 26 years whose innovations have delivered proven value to customers.

SBANE uses its highly competitive Innovation Awards program to showcase technology driven enterprises that are potentially “game changers” in their markets. Parcell’s ELA stem cell technology is a platform technology that has unlimited applications for tissue regeneration and is positioned to change the face of regenerative medicine. “We are honored to have been recognized by SBANE for our accomplishments and to be included among the roster of extremely successful companies that have been previous winners of the award,” said Pamela Layton, the CEO of Parcell Laboratories. “The award is a testament to the dedication and tenacity of our terrific team.” Past award winners include some of the most recognizable names in New England business, including Staples, Genzyme, Ben & Jerry’s and Nantucket Nectars.

Parcell Laboratories holds the license and intellectual property to the ELA stem cell, which is considered to be the earliest lineage adult stem cell in the adult body. The cell is able to differentiate into all tissues and has the added benefit of being immune privileged, allowing it to be implanted without the risk of rejection. Parcell’s ELA cells are being used by surgeons nationwide to enhance bone regeneration in the aging spine. The product is marketed under the name of PureGen Osteoprogenitor Cell Allograft by Alphatec Spine of Carlsbad, CA. Parcell is also in the development phase of therapeutics using the ELA stem cell for disc and cartilage repair.

Press Contact Susan Kinslow Kinslow@parcelllabs.com +617-928-9803

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Parcell Laboratories Honored as 2012 SBANE Innovation Award Winner

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CA–(Marketwire -05/14/12)- VistaGen Therapeutics, Inc. (OTC.BB: VSTA) (VSTA.OB), a biotechnology company applying stem cell technology for drug rescue, today issued the following letter to its stockholders and the investment community from its CEO, Shawn Singh.

To our valued Stockholders:

Since becoming a public company one year ago, we have progressed to perhaps the most exciting time in our company’s 14-year history. To arrive at this point, more than $45 million, obtained through various strategic collaborations, investments and grant awards, has been carefully employed. We believe our pluripotent stem cell technology platform, Human Clinical Trials in a Test Tube, combined with the network of strategic relationships we have announced, will allow us to secure additional capital and the large market drug rescue opportunities that can deliver value to our stockholders.

Since the beginning of the year, our team has carefully reviewed our Top 10 drug rescue opportunities and narrowed our focus to our Top 5 candidates. Now we intend to launch our initial drug rescue program and secure strategic capital necessary to support it, as well as launch our second drug rescue program by year-end. We also are working on validation of LiverSafe 3D, our bioassay system for drug rescue involving liver toxicity and drug metabolism issues, for launch during the first half of next year.

The pharmaceutical industry continues to face extremely high barriers in bringing new medicine to market. The number of drugs approved by the FDA over the past decade has dropped precipitously, by over 50%, in spite of staggering increases in resources devoted to R&D by pharmaceutical companies. Based on the progress we have made with CardioSafe 3D and our efforts to build our strategic drug rescue ecosystem of collaborators, we believe our core business model — to use our stem cell technology and strategic relationships to develop less toxic variants of drugs that have already been proven in vitro to be effective — is now more commercially promising than at any other point in our history. We believe we will be able to help major pharmaceutical companies avoid the loss of years of time and millions of dollars spent in developing new therapies that have positive efficacy data, but must be discontinued due to later discovery of unsafe toxicity levels for human heart and liver tissue.

Over the past year, we have secured additional intellectual property protection and entered into strategic relationships with leading biotech firms and academic researchers to support development of our stem technology and our drug rescue-based commercialization initiatives:

Over the next 12 months, we have an ambitious agenda to work closely with our advisors and collaborators to secure capital and achieve these transformative milestones:

Our goals are reachable, with strategic financing. We believe we have the right technology, intellectual property, development teams and specialized focus to deliver on our founding mission — “putting humans first” — bringing clinically relevant human biology to the front end of the drug development process, long before standard animal and human testing, and using better cells to make better medicine.

We would like to thank our partners, advisors, employees and each of you, our loyal stockholders, for helping support us in our efforts to deliver long-term value for you.

Sincerely,

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VistaGen CEO Issues Update Letter to Stockholders

DENVER, May 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Regenerative Sciences, Inc., a company dedicated to advancing orthopedic care through non-surgical adult stem cell procedures, today announced that it has secured a $2M investment from philanthropist, visionary and businessman John C. Malone, PhD, chairman of Liberty Media Corporation. In addition to advancing Regenerative Sciences’ clinical and lab-based stem cell research, the investment will help support the national expansion of their Regenexx Physician Network.

Regenerative Sciences’ Regenexx procedures utilize a patient’s own stem cells to help repair a broad range of common injuries and degenerative conditions, including cartilage lesions, torn ligaments and tendons, osteoarthritis and bulging spinal discs. For many, the procedures offer a viable alternative to arthroscopic surgery, open-joint surgery, or joint replacement surgery. Regenexx patients experience little or no downtime from the procedures and avoid the lengthy rehabilitation period associated with most surgical procedures.

“We are proud of our accomplishments in the field of regenerative interventional orthopedics and it’s exciting that our work has drawn the attention of such a noted entrepreneur and philanthropist,” said Christopher J. Centeno, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Regenerative Sciences. “Dr. Malone shares our vision for forging the next generation of minimally invasive regenerative treatments. This investment will not only bolster our existing stem cell research programs and make our procedures available in all regions of the U.S., but it will help us maintain a leadership role in clarifying the regulatory space for physician stem cell use.”

Regenerative Sciences is at the forefront of regenerative orthopedic medicine within the United States and the company is bringing the future of orthopedic treatments to patient care today.

About Regenerative Sciences

Regenerative Sciences is an outgrowth of the Centeno-Schultz clinic, where we are reinventing orthopedic care for the 21st century using key biologics such as stem cells, next generation tools and devices, and unique therapeutic approaches. Our signature initiative, Interventional Orthopedics, allows doctors to treat orthopedic conditions through injection, rather than traditional invasive surgery. The Regenexx Physician Network brings together like-minded physicians from around the country to offer more patients access to our innovative procedures. For more information on Regenerative Sciences and Regenexx procedures, visit: www.regenexx.com

About John C. Malone, PhD

Dr. John C. Malone holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and economics from Yale University, where he was a Phi Beta Kappa and merit scholar. He also holds a master’s degree in industrial management and a Ph.D. in operations research from Johns Hopkins University.

Dr. Malone is Chairman of Liberty Media Corporation, a position he has held since 1990. Dr. Malone is also the Chairman of the Board of Liberty Global, Inc. (LGI), a position he has held since June, 2005. From 1996 to March 1999 when Tele-Communications, Inc. (TCI) merged with AT&T Corp., he was also Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of TCI. Previous to that, from 1973 to 1996, Dr. Malone served as President and CEO of TCI. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for CATO Institute, Expedia, Inc., Discovery Communications, Inc., and SiriusXM.

Contact:

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Regenerative Sciences Receives $2M Investment for Orthopedic Stem Cell Initiatives

DUBLIN–(BUSINESS WIRE)–

Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/lffnp7/stem_cell_research) has announced the addition of the “Stem Cell Research Products: Opportunities, Tools & Technologies 2012 (Updated)” report to their offering.

Stem cells are primitive cells found in all multi-cellular organisms that are characterized by self-renewal and the capacity to differentiate into any mature cell type. Several broad categories of stem cells exist, including embryonic stem cells, derived from blastocysts; fetal stem cells, obtained from aborted fetuses; adult stem cells, found in adult tissues; cord blood stem cells, isolated from umbilical tissue; dental stem cells, derived from deciduous teeth; cancer stem cells, which give rise to clonal populations of cells that form tumors or disperse in the body; and animal stem cells, derived from non-human sources.

In a developing embryo, stem cells can differentiate into all of the specialized embryonic tissues. In adult organisms, stem and progenitor cells act as a repair system for the body, replenishing specialized cells. Of interest to researchers is the potential for use of stem cells in regenerative medicine to treat conditions ranging from diabetes, to cardiovascular disease and neurological disorders. Additionally, the ability to use stem cells to improve drug target validation and toxicology screening is of intense interest to pharmaceutical companies. Stem cells are also being studied for their ability to improve both the understanding and treatment of birth disorders.

To facilitate research resulting from interest in these far-ranging applications, a large and growing stem cells research products market has emerged. Large companies selling stem cell research products include Life Technologies, BD Biosciences, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and Millipore, although dozens of other suppliers exist as well. Products offered by these companies include: antibodies to stem cell antigens, bead-based stem cell separation systems, stem cell protein purification and analysis tools, tools for DNA and RNA-based characterization of stem cells, stem cell culture and media reagents, stem cell specific growth factors and cytokines, tools for stem cell gene regulation, a range of stem cell services, tools for in vivo and in vitro stem cell tracking, and stem cell lines.

This report explores current market conditions and provides guidance for companies interested in developing strategically positioned stem cell product lines.

Featured elements of this report include:

– What are novel stem cells research products that can be developed?

– What stem cells types are most frequently used by research scientists?

– Which species of stem cells do scientists prefer and what are the factors driving this preference (access, pricing, funding, handling advantages)?

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Research and Markets: Stem Cell Research Products: Opportunities, Tools & Technologies 2012 (Updated)