Emerging Healthcare anticipates results of FDA-approved human embryonic stem-cell treatment

Oct 15 2010

Emerging Healthcare Solutions, Inc. (PinkSheets: EHSI) eagerly anticipates the results of the first FDA-approved human embryonic stem-cell treatment on a patient with spinal cord injuries, which began this week.

The revolutionary early-stage clinical trial is being funded and carried out by Geron Corp. (NASDAQ: GERN) and aims to repair severe spinal injuries suffered by a patient whose identity has not been disclosed. The patient, the first human to receive stem-cell injections under federal approval, was enrolled at Shepherd Center, a spinal cord and brain injury rehabilitation center in Atlanta. In order to participate in the groundbreaking study, the patient must have sustained the injury within the previous 14 days.

The treatment being tested involves millions of stem cells being injected into the damaged area of the patient's spine. Researchers hope that these cells will travel to the site of the recent injury, transform into nerve cells and help the spinal cord to regenerate. Geron will test the effectiveness of the stem-cell treatment as well its safety and the patient's tolerance. The company has stated plans to enroll eight to 10 patients in similar trials across the country. The therapy has been previously tested in animals, but the FDA only approved its use on humans in July. Emerging Healthcare Solutions executives hope the research helps transform stem cells from a promising curiosity into a true medical asset.

Geron, based in Menlo Park, Calif., is one of numerous companies focusing on embryonic stem cell therapy as a medical treatment. Moral objections have been voiced by some to the use of embryonic stem cells, which are harvested from human embryos that are destroyed in the process. Other companies focus their research on adult stem cells, which can be gathered from a person's skin.

Emerging Healthcare Solutions keeps a close eye on stem cell research worldwide. In March, the company signed a profit participation deal with Celulas Genetica, a biotech firm dedicated to developing radically new medical solutions using adult stem cell research.

EHSI invests in technology developed to compete in the stem-cell research industry alongside Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NASDAQ: TEVA), Allergan, Inc. (NYSE: AGN) and Forest Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE: FRX).

Source: Emerging Healthcare Solutions