Right Turn: New stem cell product for ALS seeking approval in Canada

by Stacey Johnson | Feb 24, 2017

This week, BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics issued a news release announcing its intent to seek early regulatory approval to distribute its Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) product to patients in Canada. This news was eagerly received by patient groups in Canada and...

If your body isn’t healing, your partner’s genes might be to blame

by Jovana Drinjakovic | Feb 22, 2017

Choosing the right partner in life can help overcome its many pitfalls and challenges. But what if that partner could also influence your health in totally unexpected ways—what if their genes, and not only yours, are at play? This, at least, seems to be the case in...

Right Turn: Checking in on Research2Reality

by Stacey Johnson | Feb 17, 2017

Research2Reality will soon be celebrating its 2nd anniversary. I first wrote about it when it launched and was excited by its mission to highlight the work of scientists across Canada, from a variety of disciplines, and make their research interesting and...

Cells…in a box

by Guest | Feb 13, 2017

Heather Blumenthal has been writing about health and health research for more than 20 years and never loses her fascination with the advances Canadian researchers are making. You can reach her at hblumenthal@sympatico.ca It’s like magic – insert a cancer patient’s...

Right Turn: Synthetic biology predicted to become a huge industry

by Stacey Johnson | Feb 10, 2017

There is a trend in the regenerative medicine field to include gene therapies when describing the work being performed by academics and industry, as in “cell and gene therapies.” The wider definition better reflects how the industry is evolving and acknowledges the...

Learning about industry from the insiders at Phacilitate Cell and Gene Therapy World 2017

by Nicole Kuchinsky | Feb 8, 2017

In January, I attended Phacilitate’s Cell and Gene Therapy World in Miami, Florida. At this meeting industry leaders from around the world gather to discuss manufacturing, regulation and adoption of cell and gene therapies (C&GT). This was my first...

Right Turn: Valentine’s Day and the scientist

by Stacey Johnson | Feb 3, 2017

The clock is ticking. Valentine’s Day is less than two weeks away. If you are flying solo this Valentine’s Day, I give you permission to stop reading here. (But it may be worth your while to stick around a little longer; remember the trend of single women buying...

Peter Zandstra and CCRM: Making cell therapies a commercial reality

by Guest | Jan 31, 2017

Dr. Rohin Iyer is currently a Development Manager at GE Healthcare / CCRM. He did his PhD in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Toronto, and has been working in the field of stem cells and tissue engineering for over 12 years. He is an avid tweeter (follow...

Right Turn: Good news for Canadian “butterfly boy”

by Stacey Johnson | Jan 27, 2017

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a rare, and exceedingly painful, skin condition that I’ve written about here and here. Children with EB are sometimes referred to as “butterfly children” because their skin is said to be as fragile as a butterfly’s wings. The severity of...

A peek at exciting research happening at the University of Toronto

by Stacey Johnson | Jan 25, 2017

CCRM has been known to hire its graduates, consult with its esteemed professors, review disclosures from its faculty, collaborate on projects, and our Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Peter Zandstra, is one of its respected professors. All of this to disclose that CCRM...