• Skin Cancer and blindness projects the first two approved under CIRM 2.0
• CIRM-funded therapy for vision loss cleared for clinical trial
• New Video: Defeating Sickle Cell Disease with Stem Cells + Gene Therapy
• The Latest Publications by CIRM-Funded Researchers
• Upcoming CIRM Events
• CIRM 2.0 Funding Opportunities
• CIRM Job Openings

Skin cancer and blindness projects first two approved under CIRM 2.0

On May 21st, the CIRM governing Board approved the first two projects under CIRM 2.0. The Board awarded $17.7 million to Neostem, Inc. (now called Caladrius Biosciences, Inc. effective June 8th) for a Phase 3 clinical trial targeting skin cancer stem cells and $4.95 million to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center to develop a therapy for retinitis pigmentosa, a disease that often starts early in life and slowly destroys a person’s vision. The NeoStem award is the first time CIRM has funded a Phase 3 clinical trial, the final step to confirm safety and effectiveness before therapy approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The trial will enroll approximately 250 patients at more than 40 sites worldwide, including seven in California.

• Read our press release and blog about the first CIRM 2.0 awards
• Learn more about CIRM 2.0

CIRM-funded vision loss therapy cleared for clinical trial

On May 7th, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave the green light to a novel CIRM-funded stem cell therapy for retinitis pigmentosa (RP), a disease which erodes the cells in the retina, the light sensitive area in the back of the eye that is crucial for vision. The trial, headed by Dr. Henry Klassen of the University of California, Irvine (UCI), will enroll up to 16 patients who will get a single injection in the eye of stem cells known as retinal progenitors. It’s hoped these will help protect photoreceptors that are not yet damaged by the disease, and even replace those that are already lost.

• Read our press release and blog about the retinitis pigmentosa clinical trial
• Watch a presentation by Dr. Klassen about the project

New Video: Defeating Sickle Cell Disease with Stem Cells + Gene Therapy

In May, CIRM posted episode 2 of its Stem Cells in Your Face video series as part of a new Genes + Cells blog feature. Using a mix of science, humor and easy to understand language, the video describes sickle cell disease and a CIRM-funded clinical trial at UCLA that is testing a stem cell and gene therapy cure. This awful genetic disorder causes red blood cells to assume a sickle shape, clogging blood vessels and producing episodes of excruciating pain, called crises, and leading to progressive organ damage. If all goes well, the human suffering due to sickle cell disease may soon be a thing of the past. This trial is one of the first to be part of CIRM's Alpha Stem Cell Clinics Network.

• Watch the video
• Read our blog about the CIRM-funded sickle cell disease trial

The Latest Publications by CIRM-Funded Researchers

CIRM grantees are making steady progress on understanding the fundamentals of stem cell biology and moving stem cell-based therapies toward clinical trials. Here's an example of CIRM-funded research that was published in May along with press releases from the grantees' home institutions and entries from The Stem Cellar, CIRM's official blog:

May 1st - NeuroImage

• Stanford Release: Scientists find way to monitor progress of stem cells after transplantation into brain
• CIRM Blog: Stem cell stories that caught our eye: Monitoring cells after transplant

May 1st - Stem Cells Translational Medicine

• UC Davis Release: Prenatal stem cell treatment improves mobility issues caused by spina bifida
• CIRM Blog: Stem cell stories that caught our eye: Spina bifida

May 13th - Oncotarget

• UC Berkeley Release: Drug perks up old muscles and aging brains
• CIRM Blog: Stem cell stories that caught our eye: Reversing aging

May 18th - Nature Immunology

• UCSF Release: UCSF-Led Study Explains How Early Childhood Vaccination Reduces Leukemia Risk
• CIRM Blog: Stem cell stories that caught our eye: Vaccine link to leukemia protection

May 18th - Neuron

• UC Irvine Release: UCI neurobiologists restore youthful vigor to adult brains
• CIRM Blog: Old brains in mice given a trait of young brains with embryonic nerve transplant

May 21st - Stem Cell Reports

• UCSD Release: Human Stem Cell Model Reveals Molecular Cues Critical to Neurovascular Unit Formation
• CIRM Blog: Stem cell stories that caught our eye: Secret of creating complex tissue

Upcoming CIRM Events

June 25st, July 23rd
The CIRM governing Board will hold a telephonic meeting on June 25th and its fourth in-person meeting of 2015 on July 23rd in the Bay Area. Agendas and details will be posted to the meetings page 10 days before each event.
 

CIRM 2.0 Funding Opportunities

CIRM will accept applications on a monthly basis applications for our three Clinical Stage Programs described in the Program Announcements listed below:

• PA 15-01: Partnering opportunity for late stage preclinical projects
• PA 15-02: Partnering opportunity for clinical trial stage projects
• PA 15-03: Partnering opportunity for supplemental accelerating activities

To submit an application, visit our CIRM 2.0 awards page for more information. Our Discovery and Translational Stage Programs will be announced later this year. 

Sign up to receive CIRM funding announcements

CIRM Job Openings

The following positions are now open. Follow the links below to apply or go to our jobs page:

• Vice President Therapeutics
• Website and Social Media Manager
• Project Manager, Clinical Advisory Panels
• Grants Management Specialist
• Director/Senior Director, Organ Systems Therapeutic Area
• Director/Senior Director, Neuro/Ocular Therapeutic Area
• Director/Senior Director, Blood and Cancer Therapeutic Area