Following California's lead, and in response to growing acceptance of the benefits of regenerative medicine given sufficient research, more and more states are finding ways to fund research taking place within their borders.
The Center for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine (CSCRM), comprised of Case Western Reserve University (CWRU), Cleveland Clinic (CC), University Hospitals (UH), and Athersys, Inc. (ATHX - a Sector Company) has received 5 million dollars from Ohio's Third Frontier Commission under the Research Commercialization Program. The funding will help support new and innovative stem cell technologies including two commercial, four emerging and three pilot projects. This funding will be matched by each of the projects to create a $10 million grant benefiting stem cell and regenerative medicine in Ohio.
"This funding provides CSCRM the support it needs to continue to aggressively move new technologies from academic labs towards commercial development," said Stan Gerson, Director of the Center for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine. "We have linked corporate partners to our major projects and have been gratified by the development of a stem cell biotechnology commercial landscape in our region. Our goal is to rapidly move stem cell research from the lab to patients through clinical trials, using our strong background in preclinical models."
"I can see stem cells replacing drugs to improve many diseases," said Dr. Gerson. "Stem cells can replace injured cells, improve the function of many organs in the body and provide specific new functions to treat many diseases."
Part of the funding will allow Athersys Inc. and Kenneth Cooke (CWRU) to further evaluate MultiStem® to cure immunological reactions to cell related therapies for cancer. The goal of this project is to advance the commercialization of MultiStem® cell therapy by running a FDA approved Phase II clinical trial to evaluate the performance of the cells.
Adapted from the Medical News Today story.
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