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• Stemedica
• Posted: 2009-12-16 14:04:21 By Chip D
• 
  Has anyone heard of a stem cell research group by the name of Stemedica (http://www.stemedica.com)? They are headquartered in CA and apparently are doing quite wonderful things with treatments for RP patients (currently only in Moscow). I believe they are slated to begin the FDA process sometime in the next year. I have been surprised not to be able to find any notice about them on FFB since their line of research looks so promising, and especially given FFB's recent notice about other advances in this area research. Anyway, any insight/information would be appreciated. Thanks, Chip in NJ.

• Posted: 2009-12-21 14:51:15 By Darran Z
• Stem Cell research is a hot topic even for RP. There has been some progress but much herdals need to be overcome.
  
  The biggest problem is that stem cells can turn into any cell. So the problem here is trying to find a mechanism for stem cells to turn into RPE cells to replace the rods and cones that die. There is also a theary that these rods and cones do not die but rather "shut off" so some research sis focused upon trying to "turn on" those cells.
  
  Hope that helps.
  Darran

• Stemedica and stem cells
• Posted: 2009-12-29 17:43:35 By Stephen R
• Chip,
  
  FFB is very much aware of Stemedica, and a lot of other stem cell companies working in the rare eye disease area. As Darran says, stem cell research is in its infancy and while this and the other companies are making progress, it remains to be seen whether they meet the goal of a FDA filing in 2010- I am not saying they wont, but we are following them closely to see, if they do meet this goal, how we could work together.
  
  Just so you and others know, FFB, and our clinical arm, the National Neurovision Research Institute (NNRI) are supporting a number of researchers working in stem cells of all types to make new photoreceptors and other retinal cells. Significant progress is being made on a number of fronts and you can be assured, when a research advance and clinical trial start, it will be posted on our site.
  
  All the best and Happy Holidays
  steve rose
  chief research officer
  FFB and NNRI
  

• Posted: 2009-12-31 22:30:27 By Chip D
• Darran and Steve,
  
  thanks for responding. I was mainly interested in seeing these folks were legit since I haven't been able to turn up any medical lit on them. Anyway, this all sounds promiising. I was diagnosed with RP at 5 or 6 and will turn 48 in a few days and this is the first I've sensed some chance of a treatment finally coming about. I'll stay tuned. Happy new year to all. Chip