NeoStem Opens First Commercial Adult Stem Cell Bank.Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers AGOURA HILLS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 19, 2004 Los Angeles Facility Enables Individuals to Store Their Own Healthy Stem Cells stem cells, unspecialized human or animal cells that can produce mature specialized body cells and at the same time replicate themselves. Embryonic stem cells are derived from a blastocyst (the blastula typical of placental mammals; see embryo), which is very young to Fight Cancer, Heart Disease and Other Conditions Now and in the Future NeoStem, Inc. (www.neostem.com), a groundbreaking company committed to pioneering adult stem cell Adult stem cells are undifferentiated cells found throughout the body that divide to replenish dying cells and regenerate damaged tissues. Also known as somatic (from Greek Σωματικóς, of the body therapeutics, announced today that it has opened the first commercial adult stem cell bank and is now collecting stem cells from individuals who wish to store their cells on a pre-disease basis. The NeoStem collection center -- the first in what will be a series of centers in Southern California -- is located at the Good Samaritan Medical Office building, 1225 Wilshire Blvd., in Los Angeles. Emerging therapies involving one's own adult stem cells are expected to grow rapidly as regenerative medicine revolutionizes treatment options in the 21st Century. According to the National Institutes of Health, the therapeutic use of adult stem cells will become a cornerstone of medicine within the next two decades. The American Heart Association American Heart Association (AHA), n.pr a national voluntary health agency that has the goal of increasing public and medical awareness of cardiovascular diseases and stroke, and thereby reducing the number of associated deaths and disabilities. recognized adult stem cell transplantation for cardiac patients as among the "Top 10 Lifesaving Advances of 2003." The opening of the NeoStem adult stem cell collection center enables individuals to bank their own (autologous autologous /au·tol·o·gous/ (aw-tol´ah-gus) related to self; belonging to the same organism. au·tol·o·gous adj. 1. ) adult stem cells for future treatment in case of disease. Stem cell transplantation Stem Cell Transplantation Definition Stem cells are basic human cells that reproduce (replicate) easily, providing a continuous source of new, sometimes different types of cells. is a standard of care in treating many forms of leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma multiple myeloma A malignant proliferation of abnormal plasma cells that populate the marrow-containing bones of the body. The affected plasma cells produce myeloma protein, a monoclonal antibody that replaces normal antibodies in the blood, thereby increasing susceptibility , as well as, some 70 other life-threatening conditions. Using one's own stem cells significantly reduces the cost of treatment, shortens hospital stays and, most importantly, eliminates the threat of rejection that often develops by using allogeneic allogeneic /al·lo·ge·ne·ic/ (-je-ne´ik) 1. having cell types that are antigenically distinct. 2. in transplantation biology, denoting individuals (or tissues) that are of the same species but antigenically (someone else's) stem cells. "The opening of our collection center provides the very first opportunity for individuals to bank their own stem cells before disease strikes," said NeoStem CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. Denis Denis, king of Portugal: see Diniz. Rodgerson, Ph.D. "Adult stem cells can be used in the treatment of certain forms of cancer and to regenerate heart tissue. Adult stem cell banking is an 'early resort' therapy -- in other words Adv. 1. in other words - otherwise stated; "in other words, we are broke" put differently , banking now provides a form of insurance against conditions that may occur down the road. This capability simply hasn't existed before. Especially for cancer patients in remission, adult stem cell banking offers an important measure of control." The stem cell stem cell In living organisms, an undifferentiated cell that can produce other cells that eventually make up specialized tissues and organs. There are two major types of stem cells, embryonic and adult. donation process is similar to that of donating platelets -- blood is extracted from one arm, run through a processing unit where the stem cells are removed, and then re-injected into the other arm. The extracted stem cells are then screened, counted and packaged for cryostorage at a NeoStem laboratory in the Cedars-Sinai Davis Research Tower in Los Angeles. The NeoStem service not only enables healthy adults to store their stem cells in anticipation of future need, but also allows for those at highest risk -- people in remission from deadly blood cancers and those with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease -- to store their healthy cells before a relapse or cardiac event. NeoStem service fees consist of a one-time collection and processing fee, and an annual storage fee. To schedule a collection or to find out more information, interested individuals and physicians should contact NeoStem at 1-866-464-6783 or visit the company's Web site at www.neostem.com. About NeoStem Based in Agoura Hills, Calif., NeoStem Inc. (www.neostem.com) is pioneering the pre-disease collection, processing and storage of adult stem cells for future medical treatments. NeoStem is engaged in autologous stem cell collection for therapy, which does not involve embryonic or fetal stem cells in any way. NeoStem was founded by former executives and founders of StemCyte, Inc., the world's second largest umbilical cord stem cell bank. In addition to other proprietary intellectual properties in the field of stem cell therapeutics, cellular biology and laboratory medicine, the company has developed and filed numerous patents on the processing techniques and therapeutic applications of adult stem cells for future health care needs. |
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