#David fink gene therapy swedish company trial

“We are able to purify the HIV-resistant cells prior to transplantation, thus enriching for a more protective cell population. He explained that an added benefit with the unique therapy is that it contains an additional gene that “tags” the stem cells. “When the patients receive the modified stem cells, any new immune system cell, like T-cell or macrophage, that is derived from one of these stem cells, will contain the HIV-resistant genes and block further infection,” said Anderson.

#David fink gene therapy swedish company trial

The clinical trial is a collaboration with Mehrdad Abedi, the lead principal investigator. “We are genetically engineering a patient’s own blood stem cells with genes that block HIV infection,” said Joseph Anderson, an associate professor in the UC Davis Department of Internal Medicine. A multi-institutional Phase I clinical trial using hematopoietic stem cells to treat HIV-lymphoma patients is currently underway at UC Davis. Hematopoietic stem cells give rise to other blood cells. “Some promising and exciting research right now at the Gene Therapy Center comes from work with hematopoietic stem cells and with viral vector delivery,” said Nolta. Several cell and gene therapies have progressed to the point that ongoing clinical trials are being conducted at UC Davis for diseases, including sickle-cell anemia, retinopathy, muscle injury, dysphasia, advanced cancer, and Duchenne muscular dystrophy, among others. A cell gene therapy study demonstrated restored enzyme activity in Tay-Sachs disease affected cells in humanized mouse models. Another recent study revealed that blocking an enzyme linked with inflammation enables stem cells to repair damaged heart tissue. We work with the bioengineering and genetics departments, and with the Cancer Center and the Center for Precision Medicine and Data Sciences.”Ī recent UC Davis stem cell study shows a potential breakthrough for healing diabetic foot ulcers with a bioengineered scaffold made up of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). “The sectors that make up the core of our center stretch out across campus,” said Nolta. Work at the UC Davis Gene Therapy Center targets disorders that potentially can be treated through gene replacement, editing or augmentation.

The blood stem cell gene therapy has cured more than 50 babies to date. Nolta began her career at the University of Southern California working with Donald B. Kohn on a cure for bubble baby disease, a condition in which babies are born without an immune system. Led by Jan Nolta, a professor of cell biology and human anatomy and the director of the UC Davis Institute for Regenerative Cures, the new center leverages UC Davis’ network of expert researchers, facilities and equipment to establish a center of excellence aimed at developing lifelong cures for diseases. Last year, the university launched the Gene Therapy Center, part of the IMPACT Center program. In 2016, led by Fred Meyers, a professor in the School of Medicine, UC Davis launched the Center for Precision Medicine and Data Sciences, bringing together innovations such as genomics and biomedical data sciences to create individualized treatments for patients. In 2010, with major support from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine ( CIRM), UC Davis launched the UC Davis Institute for Regenerative Cures, which includes research facilities as well as a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) facility. UC Davis’ commitment to stem cell and gene therapy research dates back more than a decade. When you read it you’ll see why we are honored to be a part of this research.

What follows is an excerpt from an article by Lisa Howard on the work they do at UC Davis. It’s also their compassion and commitment to caring for patients. But it’s not just the science that makes them so special. The work they do in advancing stem cell research is exciting and really promising. And in UC Davis we have a terrific partner. (AJ Cheline/UC Davis)Īt CIRM we are modest enough to know that we can’t do everything by ourselves. From left to right: Heather Dahlenburg, staff research associate Jan Nolta, director of the Stem Cell Program Jeannine Logan White, advanced cell therapy project manager Sheng Yang, graduate student, Bridges Program, Humboldt State University, October 18, 2019.