June 15, 2007
Ana Krtolica is selling potential clients on being first in line for treatment if scientists in the next five to 50 years find stem cell-based cures for diseases such as diabetes, Alzheimer's or sickle cell anemia.
The key word is "if," say critics of StemLifeLine, Krtolica's San Carlos company that offers to bank personal stem cell lines derived from in vitro fertilized eggs. Krtolica, on the other hand, emphasizes "potential."
The price of that potential is as much as $17,000 over 20 years, including annual bank fees of about $400.
Showing posts with label 2007. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2007. Show all posts
Friday, October 09, 2009
Biotechs get incentive to treat neglected ills
Nov. 16, 2007
Doing good could help drug-development companies do well.
Under legislation signed into law seven weeks ago, a company that develops and wins approval of a drug to treat a neglected disease can snag a voucher giving it priority review for almost any future drug -- for a neglected disease or not.
That could give drug-development companies focused on diseases ranging from tuberculosis to human African trypanosomiasis an asset that some experts have valued at $300 million each.
Doing good could help drug-development companies do well.
Under legislation signed into law seven weeks ago, a company that develops and wins approval of a drug to treat a neglected disease can snag a voucher giving it priority review for almost any future drug -- for a neglected disease or not.
That could give drug-development companies focused on diseases ranging from tuberculosis to human African trypanosomiasis an asset that some experts have valued at $300 million each.
Gladstone scientist's Japan lab reprograms human adult stem cells
Nov. 20, 2007
Stem cell researcher Shinya Yamanaka -- who arrived at the San Francisco labs of the J. David Gladstone Institutes this summer -- said he and his Kyoto University colleagues in Japan successfully reprogrammed human adult cells to function like embryonic stem cells.
The discovery, reported in the journal Cell, could be used "very soon" to help pharmaceutical companies screen drugs, Yamanaka told the San Francisco Business Times. Yet he said more testing is needed before reprogrammed cells are transplanted into humans in hopes of treating or curing problems ranging from Parkinson's Disease to diabetes to spinal cord injuries.
Stem cell researcher Shinya Yamanaka -- who arrived at the San Francisco labs of the J. David Gladstone Institutes this summer -- said he and his Kyoto University colleagues in Japan successfully reprogrammed human adult cells to function like embryonic stem cells.
The discovery, reported in the journal Cell, could be used "very soon" to help pharmaceutical companies screen drugs, Yamanaka told the San Francisco Business Times. Yet he said more testing is needed before reprogrammed cells are transplanted into humans in hopes of treating or curing problems ranging from Parkinson's Disease to diabetes to spinal cord injuries.
No pain, no gain
Oct. 26, 2007
Pain is the new black.
More than a dozen Bay Area companies are developing next-generation, nonaddictive pain treatments or delivery methods, thanks to a timely fusing of genomic research and venture capital.
Pain is the new black.
More than a dozen Bay Area companies are developing next-generation, nonaddictive pain treatments or delivery methods, thanks to a timely fusing of genomic research and venture capital.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
The fight of his life
Aug. 24, 2007
Last year Mike Homer helped raise the money for 2,000 medical research computers. Now researchers are using that equipment in an attempt to save his life.
After Homer was diagnosed in May with a rare and invariably fatal brain-wasting disease, his network of friends -- a "who's who" of Silicon Valley money and technology -- marshalled cash, clout and connections on his behalf.
In just three months, they raised nearly $6 million for research, won Homer the personal attention of top doctors at Stanford University and the University of California, San Francisco, and persuaded UCSF's leading scientists and labs to focus on his case in their quest for a cure.
Along the way, a hard truth has sunk in: It isn't going to be enough.
"This money isn't going to keep Mike alive," said Intuit Corp. Chairman Bill Campbell. "But it will help others who have contracted this disease, or maybe we can prevent it."
Last year Mike Homer helped raise the money for 2,000 medical research computers. Now researchers are using that equipment in an attempt to save his life.
After Homer was diagnosed in May with a rare and invariably fatal brain-wasting disease, his network of friends -- a "who's who" of Silicon Valley money and technology -- marshalled cash, clout and connections on his behalf.
In just three months, they raised nearly $6 million for research, won Homer the personal attention of top doctors at Stanford University and the University of California, San Francisco, and persuaded UCSF's leading scientists and labs to focus on his case in their quest for a cure.
Along the way, a hard truth has sunk in: It isn't going to be enough.
"This money isn't going to keep Mike alive," said Intuit Corp. Chairman Bill Campbell. "But it will help others who have contracted this disease, or maybe we can prevent it."
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