With 2022 rapidly coming to a close (how? I’m still in 2020), the Neural Stem Cell Institute (NSCI) is reflecting on what a terrific year it has been for the institute and its hard-working team. Join us in celebrating the many accomplishments we have achieved this year! We will be posting updates all week – they were so numerous, we couldn’t fit them all into one post!
Clinical Trial – Stem Cell Therapy for Macular Degeneration
Ultimately, the work we do is aimed at developing novel treatments for neurodegenerative diseases. Following over a decade of preclinical research and many years of work to establish an Investigational New Drug (IND) allowance from the FDA, the NSCI started its first clinical trial! This work, led by our Director of Translational Research Dr. Jeffrey Stern, utilizes adult retinal pigment epithelial stem cells as a cell replacement therapy for macular degeneration. Non-exudative Age-Related Macular Degeneration (also known as Dry AMD) is a leading cause of vision loss worldwide. This therapeutic approach seeks to replace retinal pigment epithelium cells that are lost in dry AMD. The Phase 1/2a study is sponsored by Luxa Biotechnology, with additional support from the National Eye Institute and the NIH Regenerative Medicine Innovation Project. Dr. Rajesh Rao and the clinical team at the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center are conducting the trial. While it is still very early in the process, this is huge news! Thank you to all the lab members, past and present, who moved this project forward.
Sally Temple nationally recognized
Dr. Sally Temple, NSCI Scientific Director, was elected to the National Academy of Medicine. Her selection for this prestigious distinction reflects her significant contributions to the understanding of adult neural stem cells, as well as her ongoing commitment to public service. Such a well-deserved honor definitely needs to be reiterated as we wrap up the year. Congratulations, Dr. Temple!
2022 Year-in-Review Series:
NeuraCell | Publications! | New Funding | Giving Back | Our Team