Advanced Cell Technology, a small Massachusetts-based biotechnology company that has struggled to bring human embryonic stem cells from the lab to the clinic, will begin recruiting 12 patients in Oregon and Massachusetts with a rare eye condition called Stargardt’s macular dystrophy.
What macular degeneration is? Due to this disease, the cells at the center part of your eye(Which is critical for focus) dies. As a result the patient becomes blind or near blind. If successfull, Advanced Cell technologies new research could brighten the lives of many.
This is the most immediate promise of human embryonic stem cell research — that these immature cells can be coaxed partly down the road to becoming a desired tissue type, and in the process get other cells growing and renewing.
Advanced Cell Technology’s product is a human embryonic stem cell trained to become a retinal cell. For this first clinical trial, only a few thousand of these cells will be injected into one eye of each volunteer, mostly to check to see that it is safe.
ACT’s Dr. Robert Lanza says the doctors taking part in the trial will be able to watch it unfolding in real-time, because it is possible to look into the eye and see the cells taking up residence in the retina. And it will be possible to continuously check the vision of the patients, to see if it is improving.
Stargardt’s affects only 30,000 to 50,000 Americans, according to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation, but ACT has its sights set on a much larger market if this trial is successful — age-related macular degeneration.
This blinding condition affects more than 30 million people worldwide and is the leading cause of blindness in people over 60 in the United States. Many will be praying for the success of this clinical trial, as it can literarly brighten the lives of many thousnads in the world.
This fresh news caused the share to jump near 50%. Currently shares are traded at .07 (7cents) per share. It makes sense to invest in this as a couple of hundred dollers can buy you about 3000 shares. For an investor, the success of this trial will give good returns in long term. ACTC has around 958 million Shares Outstanding.
Advanced Cell Technology, Inc., a biotechnology company, focuses on the development and commercialization of human embryonic and adult stem cell technology in the field of regenerative medicine. It primarily focuses on cellular reprogramming, reduced complexity program, and stem cell differentiation research programs. The company’s cellular reprogramming involves in the development of therapies based on the use of genetically identical pluripotent stem cells generated by its cellular reprogramming technologies. Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. is also generating stable cell lines with particular focus on blood lineage and vascular epithelial cell lines from hemangioblast cells. In addition, it is developing an autologous myoblast transplantation therapy to restore cardiac function in patients with advanced heart disease. The company’s stem cell-based therapy would provide treatment for a range of acute and chronic degenerative diseases. Further, it develops adult stem cell-based products that are specifically targeted at therapies for heart and other cardiovascular diseases. The company is headquartered in Worcester, Massachusetts.