Fate Therapeutics Modulates Cell Fate (EP9)
Quick Links
Description
You are Watching:
Fate Therapeutics Modulates Cell Fate (EP9)
Fate Therapeutic's CEO Paul Grayson presents the company's modulation of endogenous stem cells (stem cell fate). Fate can induce proliferation, differentiation, or modification of the function of a cell. Fate is using iPSCs to recapitulate a cell type in discovery, and see how to modulate that stem cell as a therapy for particular diseases. Fate's products are currently in the clinic treating hematological disorders (such as leukemia, lymphoma) with Hematopoietic Stem Cells (HSC) from cord blood. Fate's unique position in stem cell modulation and with iPSCs give it an IP and a competitive advantage. Financially, the company is sound, and backed by top tier VC including Arch Ventures, Venrock, and Polaris.
This is the Episode 9 of the Stem Cell Review, aired on December 10th, 2009
Related Videos
Celgene Derives Stem Cells from the Placenta (EP9) ()
<all>Celgene Cellular Therapeutics CEO Bob Hariri presents the company's placental derived adherent cells (PDAC). These are stem cells derived from the placenta. The placenta is nature's perfect allograft, as Bob points out. Placental cells have indeed been found to regulate the immune system. That is why Celgene's PDACs are being administered to shut down auto-reactive destructions of the body. Celgene Cellular Therapeutics' (CCT) principal clinical program is in Crohn's Disease. Additionally CCT's cells might be useful in other auto-immune diseases (such as Multiple Sclerosis), CNS, Diabetes, Cardiac, Oncology, Orthopeics, or Wound Healing. The immune advantage that the placenta means there is no need to match donor to recepient, allowing a true allogeneic / pharma business model. Bob Hariri's long term strategy is to apply the understanding of the fundamental biology to specific diseases, and develop cells a regenerative product, with an extremely rigorous manufacturing program.
Stem Cell Review: AutoImmune Diseases & Blood Disorders (EP9) ()
<all>What are Hematopoietic Stem Cells (HSCs)? Where can we we find them? Where do they originate? Hanna Mikkola of UCLA helps us understand HSC, the current limitations in cell expansion that are limiting clinical use, as well as the direction of the efforts being made today to overcome this challenge (better harvesting, in vitro expansion, better engraftment, generating HSCs from human embryonic stem cells or induced pluripotent stem cells). Hanna reviews some of the clinical indications in which HSCs are being used, including leukemia, inherited immune deficiencies, aplastic anemia, and autoimmune diseases. New discoveries in the placenta show it is a niche in which HSCs can proliferate without differentiating, one we can study to understand HSCs expansion. Finally, Hanna gives a future outlook for HSCs.
Stem Cell Review: AutoImmune Diseases & Blood Disorders (EP9)
Novocell Leading Type-1 Diabetes Stem Cell Research (EP8) ()
<all>Novocell CSO Ed Baetge presents the company's pancreatic progenitor cell based approach to the treatment of diabetes type 1. Embryonic stem cells are differentiated into pancreatic progenitor cells and then transplanted in a capsule, where the beta (insulin) cells and islets are formed (invivo). The capsule used must be highly vascularized, and protect the cells from immune destruction. The combination of a cell therapy and a device is how Novocell plans to achieve a superior safety profile in it's future human clinical trials. Ed mentions some of the issues that need to be overcome (including teratoma formation, purity, efficient cell differentiation, encapsulation). Future milestones include the development of a manufacturing for the cells, and a GMP process for the capsules, followed by an FDA pre-registration (expected late 2010), as well as safety, efficacy, and dosing studies for an NDA filing in 2011-2012.
Pfizer's Broad Use of Stem Cells, in Search of New Cures (EP8) ()
<all>How is Pfizer involved in stem cell research? Joe Hammang, traces back Pfizer's long history in animal based stem cell research for drug screening, and their current use of embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells, and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS). Pfizer's focus was initially in tools, but now also includes a significant effort in diabetes, cardiovascular, and ophthalmology, where there is a significant unmet need. Joe explains Pfizer's particular interest in diabetes, and their collaboration with Novocell. Additionally he underscores Pfizer's research and leadership's commitment to finding therapies that can CURE diseases.
Pfizer's Broad Use of Stem Cells, in Search of New Cures (EP8)
Q Therapeutics and the Role of Neuronal Support Cells (EP7) (7:03)
<all>Discover the Q cells of Q Therapeutics (Private, Salt Lake City, UT). Deborah Eppstein, CEO presents her company, which is focused on the creation of the support cells for the neurons that make up 90% of the central nervous system (CNS). Q Therapeutic's glial progenitor cells - dubbed Q-Cells - form oligodendrocytes and astrocytes. The Q-Cells are "mini-factories" for neuron support cells that help keep neurons healthy and restore their function before they die. Q Therapeutics is targeting demylenating diseases (multiple sclerosis, transverse myelitis, and cerebral palsy), but also other neurodegenerative diseases and conditions (ALS / Lou Garrig's Disease, Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, and spinal cord injury). Q's clinical trial design is centered around a non-systemic therapy (for safety), and objective measure of improvement (for efficacy). In a competitive universe where most companies are focused on neural regeneration, Q-Cells could come in as a good therapeutic complement.
StemCells Inc. using Neural Stem Cells for their Neuroprotective Effect (EP7) (11:11)
<all>Discover StemCells, Inc (NASDAQ: STEM). A pioneer in the field of neural stem cells, StemCells Inc was founded by the renown Irving Weissman, Fred Gage, and David Anderson. Martin McGlynn, CEO, presents StemCells Inc's use of neural stem cells, and clinical development strategy based on the neuroprotective effect of neural stem cells. Stem Cells Inc is preparing a BLA for NCL (a.k.a. Batten's Disease). Martin reveals the source of the stem cells used, as well as the quantity of cells needed for the treatment of various diseases. StemCells Inc's next clinical trials (PMD, spinal cord, macular degeneration) and milestones are also presented here. We conclude this interview with Martin's comments on successfully dealing with the complexity of regularity matters, beyond FDA approval.
StemCells Inc. using Neural Stem Cells for their Neuroprotect...
Angioblast, Mesoblast, and the Medical Applications of Mesenchymal Precursor Cells (EP6) (9:33)
<all>AngioBlast Systems (Private, NY, USA) and Mesoblast (ASX:MSB), Melbourne, Australia) are the two companies featured in this episode of the Stem Cell Review. Michael Schuster presents the companies' mesenchymal precursor cells isolated from bone marrow, for allogeneic treatment. On the one hand, AngioBlast focuses on cardio vascular indications (heart failure, heart attack) with a phase 2 trial that is 2/3rds of the way, and has an encouraging efficacy profile. On the other hand, Mesoblast is focused on orthopedic indications (mainly bone regeneration and cartilage repair) with an equally promising pilot study in long bone fractures that don't heal over time.
Angioblast, Mesoblast, and the Medical Applications of Mesenc...
About
Acknowledgements
