Geron Presents Data from GRNOPC1 Trial at International Conferences on Spinal Cord Medicine and Rehabilitation

MENLO PARK, Calif.- Geron Corporation (Nasdaq: GERN) today announced two presentations on the company’s ongoing Phase 1 clinical trial of the human embryonic stem cell-based therapy, GRNOPC1, in patients with spinal cord injury. Data on the first two patients were presented at the 2011 International Conference on Spinal Cord Medicine and Rehabilitation in Washington, D.C. A second presentation was given at the 2011 Spine Symposium, which was held as part of The American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Annual Scientific Meeting. The presentations were given by Edward Wirth, III, M.D., Ph.D., Geron’s Medical Director for Cell Therapies and Linda Jones, P.T., M.S., Geron’s Senior Clinical Trials Manager for GRNOPC1. Continue Reading »

SCI Stem Cell Clinical Trial Awarded $25 Million Dollars

The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) has recently awarded $25 million dollars to “the first clinical trial based on cells derived from human embryonic stem cells that has been approved by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA).” This clinical trial has been specifically designed to benefit spinal cord injury (SCI) patients. Every year, 12,000 Americans suffer SCIs that permanently alter the quality of their lives. Continue Reading »

Clinical trials give spinal injury victims hope

There is fresh hope for thousands of paraplegics in New Zealand yearning that someday someone will give them a chance to walk again.

Now, thanks to a 71-year-old Waikato housewife, recruiting for New Zealand’s first clinical trial to treat people with spinal injuries is about to begin. Continue Reading »

Nation’s Second Participant Enrolls in Human Embryonic Stem Cell Trial

CHICAGO & MENLO PARK, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Researchers at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) recently enrolled their first subject in a national clinical research trial of a human embryonic stem cell-based therapy for participants with a subacute thoracic spinal cord injury. Continue Reading »

Spinal Cord Injury Stem Cell Trial Gets $25 Million Award From CIRM

A human embryonic stem cell Phase I Trial for patients with spinal cord injury is to get a $25 million award from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM). This is the first clinical trial based on cells derived from human embryonic stem cells that has been approved by the FDA, and also the first time CIRM has funded stem-cell derived therapy research. The trial is run by the Geron Corporation. Continue Reading »

First patient to get stem cell therapy comes forward

In the six months since scientists announced they had infused a drug made from human embryonic stem cells into a partially paralyzed patient’s spine, the identity of the recipient has been shrouded in secrecy.

Recently, rumors began circulating in Internet chat rooms that details about the closely guarded experiment were finally about to be revealed. Continue Reading »

Neuro Science for Nerve Regeneration gets Go-Ahead for Pioneering Surgical Implant to Regenerate Nerves in Spinal Cord Injuries

Professor Mark Dallamore and his team have been licenced in Sri Lanka to surgically implant chips to regenerate nerves in patients with spinal cord injuries, enabling them to regain mobility and bodily functions.

Professor Mark Dallamore announced today that he and his team have been licenced in Sri Lanka to perform ground-breaking surgery on patients suffering paralysis due to spinal cord injury. This innovative procedure will insert medical implants to regenerate nerves and enable patients to regain mobility and bodily functions. Continue Reading »

StemCells, Inc. Initiates World’s First Neural Stem Cell Trial in Spinal Cord Injury

StemCells, Inc. (Nasdaq:STEM) announced today the initiation of a Phase I/II clinical trial of its proprietary HuCNS-SC(R) human neural stem cells in chronic spinal cord injury. This trial is now open for enrollment, and will accrue patients with both complete and incomplete degrees of paralysis who are three to 12 months post-injury. The trial is being conducted in Switzerland at the Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, a world leading medical center for spinal cord injury and rehabilitation, and is being led by Armin Curt, MD, Professor and Chairman, Spinal Cord Injury Center at the University of Zurich, and Medical Director of the Paraplegic Center at the Balgrist University Hospital. Continue Reading »

Researchers pioneer clinical trial of embryonic stem cells

For the first time, researchers are using embryonic stem cells in a clinical trial to treat patients with spinal cord injuries. The trial strives to test whether these cells can be safely used to treat humans.

This initial investigation of embryonic stem cells stands apart from prior trials, which have all relied on adult stem cells. If successful, it may be expanded to larger clinical trials. Continue Reading »

Stanford joins first embryonic-stem-cell therapy clinical trial

(PhysOrg.com) — Stanford is now part of the first clinical trial of cells derived from human embryonic stem cells. The trial will enroll up to 10 patients with spinal cord injuries nationwide.

The first clinical trial of cells derived from human embryonic stem cells began in October 2010 in a paralyzed patient at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta. Today, Stanford University School of Medicine and Santa Clara Valley Medical Center became the third site to participate in the trial, which will enroll up to 10 patients with spinal cord injuries at up to seven institutions nationwide. Continue Reading »