MASSDEVICE ON CALL — Medistem Inc. (PINK:MEDS) partnered with Yale University on diabetes treatment using stem cells to generate pancreatic islets from endometrial regenerative cells.
Pancreatic islets effectively treated diabetes in animal models, and Medistem is also studying ERCs as therapy for critical limb ischemia and congestive heart failure, both complications of uncontrolled diabetes.
Medistem is the 1st company to develop clinical-grade ERC-derived stem cells and launch human clinical trials, according to a press release.
"Since Medistem’s endometrial regenerative cells are manufactured inexpensively, can be used as an ‘off the shelf’ product, and to date appear safe in human subjects, I am very excited to see diabetes added to the list of diseases that can potentially be treated with Medistem’s ERCs," Hugh Taylor, Yale professor and inventor of the technology, said in prepared remarks.
Stem cell infusion may help kidney transplants recipients to forgo lifetime of anti-rejection meds
Specially engineered stem cell infusions may be able to "trick" a kidney transplant recipient’s immune system into treating a mismatched donor kidney as part of the patient’s natural self, gradually eliminating the need for anti-rejection medication, according to a press release.
GI Dynamics launches first Center of Excellence in Australia
GI Dynamics (ASX:GID) launched the Epworth Centre for Bariatric Surgery in Victoria, Australia, as the first Center of Excellence for its flagship EndoBarrier gastrointestinal liner, according to a press release.
Crosstrees Medical completes enrollment in IDE trial for percutaneous vertebral augmentation
Crosstrees Medical completed enrollment for a U.S. trial of its Crosstrees Pod percutaneous vertebral augmentation device, a technology under investigational device exemption that controls delivery of bone cement to a vertebral fracture site, according to a press release.
Medicare releases simpler billing statements to combat fraud
Medicare billing got a makeover, making statements easier to read and understand in efforts to enlist beneficiaries in detecting fraudulent charges, Kaiser Health News reported.
