| TOP STORY |
Scientists Reset Human Stem Cells to Earliest Developmental State
Scientists have successfully ‘reset’ human pluripotent stem cells to the earliest developmental state – equivalent to cells found in an embryo before it implants in the womb (7-9 days old). These ‘pristine’ stem cells may mark the true starting point for human development, but have until now been impossible to replicate in the lab. [Press release from the University of Cambridge discussing online publication in Cell] Press Release
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| SCIENCE NEWS |
Study Sheds Light on How Stem Cells Can Be Used to Treat Lung Disease
Researchers reveal how stem cells work to improve lung function in acute respiratory distress syndrome. They investigated whether stem cells can affect the stimulation of the macrophages and promote the state in which they will suppress the inflammation. [Press release from the European Lung Foundation discussing research presented at the European Respiratory Society’s International Congress, Munich] Press Release
APC Announces Positive Results in Combination Cancer Immunotherapy
Advanced Proteome Therapeutics Corporation (APC) reported results from its current round of experiments that not only reinforce previous evidence of the immunotherapeutic properties of APC’s protein modification technology, but hold forth the possibility of synergistic effects with other immunotherapies while heralding the entry of a new and potentially powerful approach in the arsenal of anticancer weaponry. [Advanced Proteome Therapeutics Corporation (Marketwire L.P.)] Press Release
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| POLICY |
New Details Emerge on Retracted STAP Papers
New leaked e-mails showing the comments of referees for Science and Nature provide more insight into the saga of the STAP papers, which Nature published in January and retracted in July. An investigative report into the papers revealed that a previous version of the work had been rejected by Nature, Cell and Science in 2012, before being resubmitted and accepted by Nature. [Nature News] Editorial
Former Portuguese Banker Gets Top European Research Policy Job
Carlos Moedas, secretary of state to Portugal’s center-right prime minister, has been appointed European commissioner in charge of research, science, and innovation. If his appointment is approved by the European Parliament, he will take over from Máire Geoghegan-Quinn for a five-year term in this top-level position at the European Commission, the European Union’s executive branch. [ScienceInsider] Editorial
FDA Defends Plan to Regulate Lab-Developed Tests
A move by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to regulate diagnostic tests developed in thousands of laboratories is picking up steam – and drawing fire. The agency recently notified Congress that it plans to regulate some of these so-called laboratory developed tests – which, unlike tests marketed by diagnostic manufacturers, don’t currently require FDA approval. [ScienceInsider] Editorial
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| BUSINESS |
Center for Advanced Cellular Therapeutics to Rise on Penn Medicine Campus
The University of Pennsylvania reached an important milestone in its alliance with Novartis as it unveiled plans for the construction of a first-of-its-kind Center for Advanced Cellular Therapeutics on the Penn Medicine campus. [University of Pennsylvania]
Press Release
Cancer Research UK, Cancer Research Technology and Asterias Biotherapeutics Partner to Trial Immunotherapy Vaccine for Lung Cancer
Cancer Research UK and Cancer Research Technology have reached an agreement with Asterias Biotherapeutics, Inc. to take forward Asterias’ novel immunotherapy treatment AST-VAC2 into clinical trials in subjects with non-small cell lung cancer. [Asterias Biotherapeutics, Inc.] Press Release
Merck KGaA Discontinues Clinical Development Program of Tecemotide as a Monotherapy in Stage III Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Merck KGaA announced that its biopharmaceutical division will discontinue the clinical development program of its investigational MUC1 antigen-specific cancer immunotherapy tecemotide as a monotherapy in Stage III non-small cell lung cancer. [Merck KGaA] Press Release
Initiation of Phase III IMPALA Study with Immunotherapy MGN1703 in Colorectal Cancer
MOLOGEN AG has enrolled the first patient in the international IMPALA study. Primary objective of the Phase III pivotal trial is to prove that a switch maintenance therapy with the cancer immunotherapy MGN1703 leads to an increased overall survival in patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma. [MOLOGEN AG] Press Release
Bone Therapeutics Receives Clearance for ALLOB® Phase II Trial in Spinal Fusion
Bone Therapeutics announced that it has received clearance from the Competent Authorities and Central Ethics Committee in Belgium for a Phase II proof-of-concept study to assess safety and efficacy of its allogeneic osteoblastic cell therapy product ALLOB® in spinal fusion procedures for degenerative lumbar disc disease. [Bone Therapeutics] Press Release
Clinical Trial to Test Safety of Stem Cell-Derived Therapy for Type 1 Diabetes
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, in partnership with ViaCyte, Inc. have launched the first-ever human Phase I/II clinical trial of a stem cell-derived therapy for patients with Type 1 diabetes. [University of California, San Diego] Press Release
BerGenBio Granted Platform Patent – CellSelect™ Platform also Described in Peer-Reviewed Journal
BerGenBio AS announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued United States Patent 8,735,064 covering a method for creating and identifying functional interference RNA molecules. [BerGenBio AS (MarketWatch, Inc.)] Press Release
Advaxis Provides a Clinical Development Update for Its Immunotherapy, ADXS-HPV, for the Treatment of Cervical Cancer
Advaxis, Inc. announced the completion of an End-of-Phase II Meeting with the United States Food and Drug Administration, for its lead Lm-LLO cancer immunotherapy, ADXS-HPV, for the treatment of recurrent cervical cancer in women. [Advaxis, Inc.] Press Release
Tory Williams Combats Controversy Surrounding Stem Cell Therapy with New Book
Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. announced the launch of first time hard cover title Inevitable Collision: The Inspiring Story that Brought Stem Cell Research to Conservative America, in an effort to bring awareness to the growing conversation and debate surrounding stem cell research and regenerative medicine. [Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. (EurekAlert)] Press Release
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