China emerging as world leader in stem-cell R&D

Recent breakthroughs show that China is emerging as a world leader in stem-cell research and development, says Emerging Healthcare Solutions (PinkSheets:EHSI) President and CEO Cindy Morrissey.

“The true frontiers of stem-cell research and treatment are being explored today in China”

In recent years, the Asian superpower has encouraged the development of innovative new stem-cell therapies with government incentives and favorable regulatory practices. In the past week, news surfaced that British toddler Izabelle Evans, age four, had her vision restored by an experimental stem-cell procedure performed in Qingdao, China. Izabelle was blind from birth after being born with Septo Optic Displasia, a congenital condition affecting just five in one million babies that also causes hormone deficiency and mobility problems.

Due to her afflicition, Izabelle had only a few hundred optic nerves to her brain. Millions are needed to see. She was treated by injecting her spinal canal with stem cells taken from the umbilical cords of healthy babies. Those cells were then used by her body to rebuild Izabelle's optic nerves. Today, Izabelle can see up to three feet away, and there is hope that continued treatments could improve her vision further.

"The true frontiers of stem-cell research and treatment are being explored today in China," Morrissey said. "The government has fostered an environment there that is conducive to testing and perfecting radical new treatments that are already changing the face of medicine. We view that environment as crucial to EHSI's stem-cell plans."

Recently, EHSI affiliate Celulas Genetica purchased a license to develop and market the revolutionary Rutherford Procedure, a groundbreaking organ regeneration treatment intended to utilize proton-beam technology to destroy diseased organ tissue for regeneration using adult stem cells. Celulas Genetica licensed the procedure from a Chinese firm, BBFITCL, and views the emerging Asian superpower as the ideal locale to test and develop the Rutherford Procedure as a potential treatment for liver disease.

Morrissey said she plans to travel to China soon to meet with Chinese stem-cell researchers and potentially help open a Celulas Genetica business office there. Extending its reach into the R&D hotbed of China would build on EHSI's rapidly expanding global footprint—Celulas Genetica is headquartered in Panama, and Morrissey opened EHSI business offices in Poland and Germany last month.

"To position ourselves at the forefront of global stem-cell research, establishing a presence in China may be a necessity," Morrissey said.

EHSI is negotiating to obtain a license for a rotating-wall bioreactor originally developed by NASA with the ability to multiply adult stem cells. The company hopes that stem cells grown inside the bioreactor can be used to help regenerate damaged tissue into healthy, functional organs once more.

EHSI invests in technology developed to compete in the stem-cell research industry alongside Viacell (NASDAQ:VIAC), Allergan, Inc. (NYSE:AGN), Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN) and Genzyme (NASDAQ:GENZ).