Thanks to funding from Proposition 71, California’s $3 billion investment in stem cell research, and the state funding entity it created, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), there are now 36 human clinical trials in various stages of progress, including a trial for spinal cord injury.
Condition: Spinal Cord Injury
Accepting Applicants: Yes
Status: Phases 1/2a trial in progress
Description: Clinical trial of stem cell gene therapy for spinal cord injuries.
CIRM Funding Brief: “The company uses cells derived from embryonic stem cells to heal the spinal cord at the site of injury. They mature the stem cells into cells called oligodendrocyte precursor cells that are injected at the site of injury where it is hoped they can repair the insulating layer, called myelin, that normally protects the nerves in the spinal cord.” Read more at CIRM.
Current Sponsor: Asterias Biotherapeutics, Inc.
Principal Investigator: Edward D. Wirth III, MD, PhD
Institution: Asterias Biotherapeutics, Inc.
Phase 1/2 Filed: N/A
Phase 1/2 Approved: N/A
Cell Therapy Type: N/A
NCT No. / Link: NCT02302157
Completion Date: Projected September 2018
Last Updated: March 20, 2017
As this clinical trial moves forward, we will update this page. Check back here for future developments.
As scientists and patient advocates build on the progress that Proposition 71 has enabled, we must keep the momentum going, understanding that there is still much work to be done. We must remember that human trials will celebrate successes; but, barriers will surface, along with complications and challenges, so patience and understanding of the scientific discovery process is essential. Even the setbacks will provide critical knowledge that will bring us closer to curing or mitigating devastating diseases and injuries. Only with continued support for biomedical research can we increase our understanding of the therapeutic potential of stem cells, and translate that understanding into meaningful treatments that help give patients their lives back.