Category Archives: Embryonic Stem Cells


Scientists extend mice lifespan 12% by tweaking telomeres – Big Think

Scientists successfully extended the average lifespan of mice by breeding them using embryonic stem cells with extra-long telomeres. The findings are significant because the researchers managed to extend lifespan without genetic modification, and they also shed light on the aging process and techniques that might someday slow it.

The study published October 17 in Nature Communications focuses on telomeres, which are stretches of DNA found at the end of chromosomes.

Because telomeres protect the genetic material inside chromosomes, they've been likened to the plastic tips on the ends of shoelaces. But telomeres have also been compared to bomb fuses, or "molecular clocks," because they become shorter each time a cell divides, eventually shrinking so much that the cell dies or stops dividing. This shortening of our telomeres is associated with aging, cancer, and death.

"Telomere shortening is considered one of the hallmarks of aging as short telomeres are sufficient to cause organismal aging and decreased lifespan," the researchers wrote. "Telomere length is determined genetically and both average telomere length and the rate of telomere shortening varies between species. In this regard, humans are born with shorter telomeres than mice, but mice telomeres shorten 100-times faster than humans."

For years, scientists have been exploring how lengthening telomeres might help stave off disease and aging in animals, and, perhaps someday, in humans. But these attempts have all involved genetic modification. In the new study, a team of researchers at the Spanish National Cancer Research Center left induced stem cells to multiply in a petri dish, a process which eventually results in cells that have extra-long telomeres, as researchers first discovered in 2009.

Using these specially cultivated embryonic stem cells, the team generated mice with extra-long telomeres. Compared to a control group, these mice experienced "significant increase of 12.74 percent in median longevity", showed no cognitive defects and were less likely to develop cancer and obesity.

"This finding supports the idea that, when it comes to determining longevity, genes are not the only thing to consider," says molecular biologist Maria Blasco, from the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO). "There is margin for extending life without altering the genes."

Shorter telomeres are linked to a shorter lifespan in humans. And although we're unlikely to see any experiments involving that are similar to the recent study, there are some steps you can take to lengthen your telomeres and increase your chances at a longer life. The main step: endurance exercise.

A 2018 study published in the European Heart Journal found that telomerase activity spikes in people who regularly do endurance exercises, defined as 45 minutes of continuous running. Interestingly, this effect was not observed in people who lifted weights or walked for 45 minutes. The results echoed those of a similar 2017 study, which found that people who ran regularly appeared to be biologically younger than those who didn't. But it takes some effort.

"If you want to see a real difference in slowing your biological aging, it appears that a little exercise won't cut it," study author Larry Tucker told Science Daily. "You have to work out regularly at high levels."

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Scientists extend mice lifespan 12% by tweaking telomeres - Big Think

Scientists Made Mice Live 12% Longer by Hacking Their Telomeres – Futurism

A team of researchers at the Spanish National Cancer Research Center have managed to extend the average lifespan of lab mice by more than 12 percent by cultivating embryonic cells in a special way,according to Science Alert no genetic modification required.

They looked at a natural process thats linked to aging: the strands of nucleotide sequences at the end of each chromosome, called telomeres,that act as a buffer to protect the genetic material inside the chromosomes. These telomeres tend get shorter over time as we age so longevity researchers have long pondered whether increasing their length could help us live longer.

In this case, the Spanish researchers left stem cells in a petri dish to multiply on their own, giving them unusually long telomeres. Mice bred with chromosomes featuring the twice-as-long telomeres showed a significant increase of 12.74 percent in median longevity, according to the researchers paper, which was published last week by the journal Nature Communications.

They also found that the specially-bred mice showed no difference in cognitive function, retained the longer telomeres over time, and were 20 percent less likely to develop age-related tumors.

The experiment isnt quite as revolutionary as it sounds this kind of technique isnt about to make humans live longer any time soon. But it could give scientists insight into the process of aging and perhaps find ways to slow it down in the future.

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Merck KGaA opens Shanghai Innovation Center and invests $ 14 million in the China Seed Fund – asume tech

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One of the largest German pharmaceutical companies sets up a seed capital fund to promote start-ups in China.

Darmstadt-based Merck KGaA announced on Friday that it had a seed capital fund worth 100 million Chinese yuan, or 14.1 million dollars, under the umbrella of its $ 334.2 million venture capital arm M Ventures has set up. Merck KGaA operates in the United States under the name of EMD Serono to avoid confusion with New Jersey-based Whitehouse Station Merck & Co., which trades outside of North America under the name of MSD.

In addition to founding the Seed Fund, Merck KGaA has opened an Innovation Center in Shanghai and is planning another one in the southern metropolis of Guangzhou, which will open next month.

"Our 100 million RMB China Seed Fund underlines our commitment to invest in the Chinese market," said CEO Stefan Oschmann at the opening of the Shanghai Center, citing the abbreviation for Renminbi, the official name of the Chinese currency. "Our innovation centers in China will accelerate our innovation development across the country."

Biotechnology and pharmaceuticals are top priorities in the Chinese government's industrial development strategy. Numerous drug manufacturers operate in the country and are expanding abroad to Western countries.

In January, Beijing-based BeiGene of the Food and Drug Administration received groundbreaking approval for the treatment of zanubrutinib, a Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor, which is being developed for the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. ibrutinib) and AstraZeneca's Calquence (acalabrutinib). The company partnered with Summit, Celgene, New Jersey, to develop its PD-1 inhibitor tislelizumab, although the company regained rights to the drug in June, as Celgene acquired the company from Bristol-Myers Squibb, that has its own PD-1 inhibitor, opdivo (nivolumab).

Merck KGaA announced that its Shanghai hub, which was founded last year, will occupy a place in the city's New Bund World Trade Center. Partnerships have already been established, not only in the areas the company specializes in, but also in the areas of artificial intelligence for health solutions. To date, six startups from China and other Asian countries have participated in its Accelerator program.

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Health policy will be the focus of the HLTH – asume tech

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In the second year HLTH Conference From 27 to 30 October at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, health policy will be the focus of a series of discussions discussing fundamental health challenges. Discussions include the drug pricing debate, which balances regulatory needs for health technology with drug development and innovation. and the proper role of the government in health care.

On the morning of October 29th Dr. Amy AbernethyThe Deputy Chief Commissioner of the FDA will explain her view on technology, innovation, the medical ecosystem, and how this fits in with the regulatory approach of the FDA. Later that day, he was CEO of US International Development Financial Corp. Adam Boehler teamed up with the A Healthy Dose Podcast by Stephen Kraus, a health partner of Bessemer Venture Partners and Trevor PriceFounder and CEO of Oxeon Partners to provide insights into entrepreneurship, investment, government policy, Medicaid & Medicare and more.

On Wednesday, October 30, Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services Eric Hargan discusses value-based care initiatives. Joe Grogan, Director of the National Policy Council, will give an insight into the Trump Administration's mission to give Americans more options and more control over their health. senator Michael Bennet, a presidential candidate will work out his plan for universal health insurance.

Deputy Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers Tomas Philipson and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Administrator Seema Verma Philipson will address the role of the government in two separate talks on Sunday, October 28. Philipson will focus on pricing for prescription drugs and the role of government policy in improving patient access to medicines and reducing healthcare costs. Verma will talk about what role the government can play in combating dissatisfaction with the current health care system.

For the first time ever, MedCity News and HLTH have teamed to unveil MedCity's annual ENGAGE patient engagement event at the HLTH conference on October 28. ENGAGE at HLTH will examine how technology, vendors, and payers affect the patient experience and, most importantly, the patient's perspective on healthcare.

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Syros sees strategic shift after the failure of the previously promising cancer drug – asume tech

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A biotech company developing drugs to treat cancer by controlling gene expression is shifting its focus to the failure of a drug that has been tested in patients with solid tumors.

Syros of Cambridge, Massachusetts, said Thursday that data from the extension of his phase I trial of SY-1365, an intravenous CDK7 inhibitor, did not show that a patient had achieved an objective response to treatment. The best response was a stable disease in 13 out of 31 patients whose efficacy could be assessed, meaning that their tumors did not continue to grow, but did not contract. The study enrolled patients with breast cancer, ovarian cancer and advanced solid tumors enrolled in single drug and combination cohorts.

The shares of Syros gave after the news against the Nasdaq by 32.3 percent.

The company has therefore decided to shift its focus from SY-1365 to another drug, the oral CDK7 inhibitor SY-5609, which more selectively and effectively inhibits CDK7 than SY-1365, and has shown stronger antitumor activity in preclinical tests. The Company plans to discontinue the development of SY-1365 and initiate a Phase I trial of SY-5609 in the first quarter of 2020.

Patients in the single drug expansion cohorts received SY-1365 initially twice weekly at 80 mg per square meter of body area, while patients in the combination cohorts received it once weekly at 53 mg per square meter. Adverse reactions believed to be related to intravenous administration including headache, nausea and vomiting prompted the company to investigate extended cohort infusion times and lower doses in the single-agent cohorts.

However, Syros believes that more frequent dosing or a higher dose, which would prolong the infusion time to improve the tolerability of the drug, would be needed to maintain the CDK7 targeting required for sufficient clinical activity both would be the case to a dosing schedule that is overly stressful for patients. SY-5609 can solve this dilemma better, the company said.

The lack of objective answers in the study suggests that dose reductions and longer infusion times could affect efficacy, Cowen analyst Phil Nadeau said in a statement to investors on Thursday. The news was disappointing as the preclinical data and Phase I dose-response data suggested that SY-1365 would be more effective and safer.

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What Theranos Whistleblowers Learn About Ethics in Health Startups – asume tech

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Erika Cheung and Tyler Shultz were the whistleblowers who helped expose the corruption in Theranos. They spoke at the Manova Summit in Minneapolis this week.

The Whistleblowers of Theranos, Erika Cheung and Tyler Shultz, shared some lessons from working in a culture of fear and secrecy at the Manova Global Summit on the Future of Health in Minneapolis.

"There were words we could not say at Theranos, like 'biology', 'pipette', 'research'," "recalled Shultz." And we should not talk to other people at Theranos about what you did. "

Even so, the two had no other career experience, so it took awhile for the red flags to add up, Cheung said.

Now that the former Theranos leadership is waiting for a test in 2020, Cheung and Shultz have formed an organization they call Ethics in Entrepreneurship, hoping to prevent other technology and health startups and associates from doing so do what they did.

"We're all here because we want to make a difference and we want to do good and we have good intentions, but making sure you have that strong vision and figuring out how to sustain that is a challenge," Cheung said. "You have to figure out how to stick to these morals, standards and values despite the chaos."

Although they do not yet have all the answers at the moment, they pointed to some basics that can be applied to just about any business:

In Silicon Valley, so-called vanity boards are popular, Cheung agreed, but just in a heavily regulated area like healthcare, "you need the right people to ask the right questions."

Although Shultz spent most of his 20s in the Theranos scandal, he remains optimistic.

"So many things have gone wrong (in the case of Theranos) that I think it's unlikely to happen again," he said. "Although I may be naive."

Abbe's presenter Rebecca Jarvis asked the two of them if they felt Theranos's former director, Elizabeth Holmes, was going to jail.

"There has to be some justice," Cheung said to the audience with great applause. "It must."

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Assessments of Treatment Options for Age-related Macular Degeneration – DocWire News

Several papers presented at AAO 2019 discussed different outcomes for treatments of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

The first paper, Phase 1 Single and Multiple Ascending Dose Studies of LBS-008, a Novel Therapy for Stargardt Disease and Dry AMD, is the first human study to evaluate safety, pharmacokinetics (PK), and pharmacodynamics (PD) of oral LBS-008, according to the researchers. The study included 40 patients in five cohorts for the single ascending dose (SAD) arm, and 32 patients in four cohorts for the multiple ascending dose (MAD) arm. In each cohort, six patients received LBS-008 and two received placebo. The SAD doses were 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg, and 400 mg, and the MAD doses were 10 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg, for 14 days. Outcomes included serum RBP4 and retinol levels. LBS-008 use resulted in good safety, PK, and PD outcomes; no dose-limiting toxicities occurred in patients who completed the trial, and RBP4 lowering reached 90%.

The second paper, Phase 1/2a Study of Subretinally Transplanted Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived RPE Cells in Advanced Dry-Form AMD Patients, reported interim data on patients partaking in the Phase I/IIa Dose Escalation Safety and Efficacy Study of Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Retinal Pigment Epithelium Cells Transplanted Subretinally in Patients With Advanced Dry-Form Age-Related Macular Degeneration (Geographic Atrophy) clinical trial. In this study, patients with advanced dry AMD (n = 15) underwent transplant to receive human embryonic stem cell-derived retinal pigment epithelial cells (OpRegen). Two routes of administration were used: pars plana vitrectomy or injection via the suprachoroidal route. Functional/structural outcomes were evaluated with best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and imaging. The researchers reported positive interim outcomes and no unexpected adverse events (AEs). OpRegen was associated with subretinal pigmentation, decreased drusen density, irregular reflectance above atrophy areas, and ellipsoid zone changes as evidenced through optical coherence tomography imaging.

The third paper, Ziv-Aflibercept Efficacy in Better Regulating AMD: 52-Week Results of the ZEBRA Study, compared ziv-aflibercept to other antivascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agents in neovascular AMD patients. Eligible patients were required to have active disease, a history of anti-VEGF treatment, and BCVA < 20/250. Patients were randomized to two groups: one group received 1.25 mg/0.05mL intravitreal ziv-aflibercept (treatment group), and the other continued their current treatment plan (control group). Final analysis included 56 patients. Mean baseline BCVA at one year was 1.58 0.42 logMAR in the control group and 1.76 0.32 logMAR in the treatment arm; mean changes in BCVA were 0.07 and 0.01 logMAR, respectively. Baseline central foveal thickness (CFT) was 261 81 m in the control group and 242 79 m in the treatment group; mean changes in CFT were 7 and 3 m, respectively. No AEs occurred in either group. The authors concluded that ziv-aflibercept is anatomically and functionally noninferior to other anti-VEGF agents and may be a cost-effective option compared to aflibercept and could serve as a second-line therapy for eyes that do not respond to bevacizumab.

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Stem Cells Market Growth Rate, Production Volume and Future Opportunities From 2019-2024 – Exponent Online

The report Global and Regional Stem Cells Industry Production, Sales and Consumption Status and Prospects Professional Market Research Report 2019-2024 provides an in-depth analysis of global Stem Cells market across top key players, products and Applications. The Stem Cells report provides comprehensive coverage on major industry drivers, restraints, and their impact on market growth during the forecast period.

Analyst projects that the Stem Cells market size will grow from XX Million USD in 2018 to XX Million USD by 2024, at an estimated CAGR of XX%. The base year considered for the study is 2018, and the market size is projected from 2019 to 2024.

Osiris Therapeutics, Inc., Cytori Therapeutics, Inc., BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc., U.S. Stem Cell, Inc., Takara Bio Inc., BioTime Inc., Cellular Engineering Technologies Inc., Astellas Pharma Inc., Caladrius Biosciences, Inc., STEMCELL Technologies Inc.

By ProductAdult Stem Cell, Human Embryonic Stem Cell, Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell

By SourceAutologous, Allogeneic,

By ApplicationRegenerative Medicine, Drug Discovery and Development,

By End UserTherapeutic Companies, Cell and Tissue Banks, Tools and Reagent Companies, Service Companies,

By

By

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The complete profile of the major companies of Stem Cells industry is mentioned. And the capacity, production, price, revenue, cost, gross, gross margin, sales volume, sales revenue, consumption, growth rate, import, export, supply, future strategies, and the technological developments that they are making are also included within the report. The historical data from 2012 to 2017 and forecast data from 2018 to 2023.

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Catholics more motivated to donate if ethical investing is assured – Crux: Covering all things Catholic

WASHINGTON, D.C. Nearly nine in 10 Catholics surveyed said they want their donations to church institutions to be ethically invested and a majority of those responding voiced particular opposition to investments in companies that produce pornography, tobacco products and e-cigarettes, according to a new survey.

The survey for Boston-based Catholic Investment Services found that about 87 percent of respondents would be more likely to donate to Catholic institutions if they knew the money would be invested in ways consistent with church teaching and values.

In contrast, about 14 percent of respondents said ethical investing was not a consideration when donating to Catholic institutions.

The results parallel those of a CIS survey released in April. Peter Jeton, the firms outgoing CEO, said the new study sought to more specifically identify what investments motivate or deter Catholics to give to church entities.

People want their donations to go where its good and avoid evil, Jeton said.

Ethical investing can be a motivating factor in how much people give, he told Catholic News Service. And if I am the CFO (chief financial officer) of a diocese or if Im the bishop of a diocese, then I should be explaining very clearly and with frequency what the policy is regarding how peoples money is being invested.

The survey involved 500 Catholic adults who answered a series of online questions Sept. 7-9. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.5 percentage points.

It covered more than a dozen types of businesses from manufacturers of medications used during an abortion procedure to oil and natural gas mining to which respondents voiced objections.

In the case of the pornography industry, 60% of respondents said church money should not be invested in such endeavors. Opposition also was raised to investing in tobacco products and e-cigarettes (57 percent), alcoholic beverages (52 percent), medications used during an abortion (52 percent), casinos and gaming (51 percent), medical facilities where abortions occur (50 percent), gun manufacturing (47 percent), for-profit prisons/detention centers (45 percent), security, defense and large-scale weapons (44 percent), research on embryonic stem cells (37 percent), manufacturers of birth control (31 percent) and oil and natural gas extraction (30 percent).

Jeton suggested that institutional financial officers and bishops be fully transparent about their investment decisions. The better the engagement, the better for the Church, he said.

They should emphasize the link with Catholic social teaching, he added. Because if our data is correct, then making people in the pews aware of that should, by all rights, increase the comfort level with the Church and a greater willingness to share more of their financial resources with the Church.

The survey also asked participants what investments Catholic institutions should be making. Among those cited by respondents were clean air and water (67 percent), workforce education/job training (66 percent), education technology (65 percent), agriculture and food (65 percent), health care providers (62 percent), affordable housing (60 percent), recycling (57 percent), renewable energy (53 percent), land conservation (50 percent), fitness/nutrition (49 percent) and banking and financial services to low-income people and small businesses (46 percent).

Catholic Investment Services was founded in 2013 to serve Catholic entities, including dioceses, colleges and universities, hospital systems and social service agencies. Jeton said the firm follows the socially responsible investment guidelines adopted by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Those guidelines, in place since 2003, are divided into six broad categories: protecting human life, promoting human dignity, reducing arms production, pursuing economic justice, protecting the environment and encouraging corporate responsibility. Each category lists specific areas of concern, such as abortion, racial discrimination, labor standards and other social needs in which the Church has had a voice.

Jeton said he hoped the data developed would influence how diocesan bishops in particular discuss finances with the folks in the pew.

They would do well to pay attention to mechanisms that would get more people engaged, Jeton said. Hopefully with greater engagement there is growing willingness (among donors) to go into their back pocket to help the Church.

Crux is dedicated to smart, wired and independent reporting on the Vatican and worldwide Catholic Church. That kind of reporting doesnt come cheap, and we need your support. You can help Crux by giving a small amount monthly, or with a onetime gift. Please remember, Crux is a for-profit organization, so contributions are not tax-deductible.

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Greenwood to step down as CEO of BIO after 2020 election – FierceBiotech

Jim Greenwood is set to step down as CEO of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) after the 2020 election. Greenwood has held the position for more than half of BIOs history but will now make way for a new leader who will work to defend innovation from domestic political attacks.

Under Greenwoods leadership, BIO tripled in size, growing from a relatively small player in 2005 to a 176-employee organization with an $85 million operating budget. BIO has almost doubled its annual outlay on lobbying under Greenwood, going from spending a little more than $5 million in 2004 to just shy of $10 million last year, according to data tracked by the Center for Responsive Politics.

The increase in spending has covered a period in which BIO has fought to protect drug developers from the perceived threats of government actions. Those threats are arguably as acute today as at any point during Greenwoods reign, and the CEO plans to go out fighting.

CIOs Perspectives: Driving Clinical Trial Innovation with a Unified Platform

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I will continue my full-throated advocacy to ensure our elected officials do not kill innovation in a populist furor and prevent our scientists from delivering a new generation of genomic cures, Greenwood said in a statement.

The timing of Greenwoods departure means he will continue to make the case for biotech until the end of this election cycle and help support the transition to a new BIO leader in 2021.

Greenwood took over as leader of BIO from its founding president Carl Feldbaum in 2005. Before joining BIO, Greenwood spent 12 years as a Republican member of the House of Representatives. BIO lists efforts to modernize the FDA and lift a ban on embryonic stem cells among the initiatives Greenwood worked on during his time in Congress.

Since leaving to join BIO, Greenwood has continued to shape legislation, leading the industry side of negotiations about the Prescription Drug User Fee Act and the 21st Century Cures Act. Those negotiations have affected how drugs are developed for the U.S. market.

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Greenwood to step down as CEO of BIO after 2020 election - FierceBiotech