Project Objective: IND
Therapeutic Opportunities To Target Tumor Initiating Cells in Solid Tumors
Cancer is a major cause of human death worldwide. The vast majority of cancer patients suffer from solid tumors whose growth destroys vital organs. We propose to develop novel therapeutic drugs that target solid tumors affecting the brain, colon and ovaries. These cancers account for a significant proportion of currently intractable solid malignancies. Scientists have […]
ZINC FINGER NUCLEASE-BASED STEM CELL THERAPY FOR AIDS
Some years ago it was discovered that patients homozygous for a natural mutation (the Δ32 mutation) in the CCR5 gene are generally resistant to HIV infection by blocking virus entry to a cell. Building on this observation, a study published in 2009 reported a potential “cure” in an AIDS patient with leukemia after receiving a […]
Stem cell based treatment strategy for Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
Retinal degeneration represents a group of blinding diseases that are increasingly impacting the health and well being of Californians. It is estimated that by 2020, over 450,000 Californians will suffer from vision loss or blindness due to the age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the most common cause of retinal degeneration diseases in the elderly. AMD is […]
Development of Highly Active Anti-Leukemia Stem Cell Therapy (HALT)
Leukemias are cancers of the blood forming cells that afflict both children and adults. Many drugs have been developed to treat leukemias and related diseases. These drugs are often effective when first given, but in many cases of adult leukemia, the disease returns in a form that is not curable, causing disability and eventual death. […]
A Translating Center designed to expedite the development and delivery of high quality stem cell therapies to patients
A successful partnership, resulting in the creation of a Translating Center recognized as the leader in providing end-to-end preclinical development services (preclinical research, CMC, regulatory) to accelerate the availability of stem cell treatments to patients with unmet medical needs. The proposed Translating Center will benefit the lives of patients in CA with serious unmet medical […]
Novel Gene Therapy Targeting Multiple Pathological Drivers of Desmoplakin Associated Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy
Therapeutic Candidate or Device RJB-0402 is a liver-targeting adeno-associated virus vector-based gene therapy that drives over expression of FGF21. Indication Desmoplakin-related arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (DSP ACM) at high risk of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Therapeutic Mechanism RJB-0402 targets hepatocytes to drive liver specific expression of FGF21 to restore cardiomyocyte function in patients with […]
Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Neural Stem Cells for Severe Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)
Therapeutic Candidate or Device Human embryonic stem cell-derived neural stem cells. Indication Spinal cord injury Therapeutic Mechanism The proposed neural stem cell therapy will be transplanted into a spinal cord injury site, providing cell replacement and a new neuronal relay across the injury site in an effort to promote significant functional improvement. Unmet Medical Need […]
Development of a therapeutic monoclonal antibody for the treatment of myocardial infarction and heart failure
Therapeutic Candidate or Device Fully Humanized monoclonal antibody targeting human ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase (ENPP1) Indication Heart Disease: To prevent the development of heart failure after heart attacks Therapeutic Mechanism After myocardial infarction, myofibroblast progenitors express ENPP1. ENPP1 is a type II transmembrane protein that hydrolyzes extracellular ATP and hydrolytic products generated by ENPP1 initiate an inflammatory […]
Chimeric TGFB Signaling Receptor (CTSR) Enabled Anti-B7H3 CAR T-cell Therapy in Children and AYA with Recurrent Solid Tumors
Therapeutic Candidate or Device Engineered CAR T-cells are enhanced to allow their survival in solid tumors Indication Children, adolescents and young adults with variety of solid tumors but focus on sarcomas and neuroblastomas Therapeutic Mechanism Engineered T-cells are expanded and infused back to the patients. The additional mechanisms engineered in these cells allows them to […]
A 1XX-enhanced and fully non-viral BCMA CAR T cell therapy for Relapsed and Refractory Multiple Myeloma (UCCT-BCMA-1)
Therapeutic Candidate or Device Cryopreserved autologous TRAC locus 1XX BCMA-CAR T cells Indication Relapsed and Refractory Multiple Myeloma Therapeutic Mechanism Engineered T cells target and kill BCMA+ Myeloma cells Unmet Medical Need No durable treatments are available for RRMM and only ~30% of patients can access current BCMA CAR therapies. This product can improve product […]