Washington, D.C., March 8, 2007 - The Securities and Exchange Commission this morning suspended trading in the securities of 35 companies that have been the subject of recent and repeated spam email campaigns (see examples). The trading suspensions - the most ever aimed at spammed companies - were ordered because of questions regarding the adequacy and accuracy of information about the companies...
A spam campaign in Healtheuniverse, Inc. (HLUN) stock began on Sept. 4, 2006, with emails incorporating a Healtheuniverse press release proclaiming that HLUN was "focused on being the first to commercialize stem cell applications in the $15 billion worldwide plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery market." On Sept. 7, 2006, HLUN closed at $.12 per share on trading volume of 3,000 shares. The spam campaign accelerated, and HLUN shares spiked to $.22 per share on Sept. 11, 2006, with over 2.2 million shares trading hands. By Sept. 22, 2006, the closing price had dropped back down to $.11.
The trading suspensions will last for ten business days. The trading suspensions commenced today at 9:30 a.m., EDT, and terminate at 11:59 p.m., EDT, on March 21, 2007.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Adipose Stem Cell Trial
Press Release: First Heart Patient Treated in Adipose Stem Cell Trial
February 8, 2007
First Heart Patient Treated in Adipose Stem Cell Trial; Cytori's Cardiovascular Stem Cell Study Initiated
SAN DIEGO & MADRID, Spain -- Feb 5, 2007 - Cytori Therapeutics and Hospital Gregorio Maranon in Madrid, Spain treated the first patient in Cytori's randomized clinical trial investigating the safety and feasibility of adipose-derived stem and regenerative cells as a therapy for cardiovascular disease.
The study, designated as the 'PRECISE' trial, will enroll patients suffering from chronic myocardial ischemia, a severe form of end-stage coronary artery disease, which is estimated to affect hundreds of thousands of patients in Europe and the United States. Patients in the study will receive their own adult stem and regenerative cells, thereby avoiding the risk of rejection or disease transmission that exists with donor stem cells and the controversy associated with embryonic stem cells. Once introduced into a patient's heart, the cells have shown preclinically to help the body improve blood supply that can restore circulation to the heart.
"Patients with chronic heart disease today have few options making this an important milestone for the affected patients and doctors that treat them," said Marc H. Hedrick, M.D., President for Cytori Therapeutics. "This study is designed to show unequivocally whether the cells from our Celution System(TM) can be safely introduced into the heart. Our ultimate goal is to asses the clinical therapeutic effect of the cells, which were shown in preclinical studies to significantly improve heart function."
Adipose Tissue: Rich Cell Source
Adipose tissue, commonly known as fat, is the human body's richest known source of stem cells, as well as other cells that are believed to contribute to repair and healing, referred to as "regenerative cells." Due to its abundance and accessibility in the body, adipose tissue represents an ideal source for immediate access to a patient's own stem and regenerative cells.
The Celution(TM) System
For the PRECISE study, stem and regenerative cells are obtained at the bedside from the patients' own adipose tissue and made available in real-time using Cytori's Celution(TM) System. The Celution(TM) System automates and standardizes the complex process that releases stem and regenerative cells locked within adipose tissue. Adipose tissue is removed from the patient using a minor liposuction-like procedure, placed into the system and, with the touch of a button, processed. About an hour later, a prescribed dose of stem and regenerative cells are delivered to the patient.
Clinical Trial Details
The PRECISE study will evaluate the safety and feasibility of using adipose-derived stem and regenerative to treat 36 patients with chronic myocardial ischemia whom cannot be effectively treated by other means. The cells will be processed with the Celution(TM) System in the catheterization lab so they are available for the physician to re-inject into damaged heart muscle in about an hour using the NOGA(R) mapping and delivery system. A variety of clinical functional and imaging endpoints will be assessed in the study. The outcomes of the study will be evaluated after a six month follow-up period.
The PRECISE study is being conducted at the Hospital General Universitario Gregorio (HGU G) Maranon in Madrid, Spain. Professor Francisco Fernandez-Aviles, professor of cardiovascular medicine and chief of cardiology service at HGU G Maranon, and Dr. Emerson Perin, director of the New Interventional Cardiovascular Technology and director of the Stem Cell Center at the Texas Heart Institute will serve as co-principal investigators.
"Cytori's stem cell technology has the potential to become the next major advancement in cardiovascular disease care," said Dr. Aviles. "Their device is user-friendly and enables the delivery of patient's cells at the bedside without ever leaving the catheterization lab."
"These cells may be optimal for targeting cardiovascular disease due to their ability to promote blood vessel growth," said Dr. Perin. "This primary mode of action demonstrated in pre-clinical studies could result in significant clinical benefit."
About Cytori Therapeutics
Cytori Therapeutics is developing and seeks to commercialize stem and regenerative cell therapies for cardiovascular disease, reconstructive surgery and many other serious chronic, and life threatening conditions. To provide these therapies, physicians remove a small amount of a patient's fat, also known as adipose tissue, and run it through Cytori's Celution(TM) System. This System quickly separates and concentrates stem and regenerative cells from adipose tissue so they may be quickly administered back to the patient about an hour later. This system will dramatically improve the way in which personalized cell-based therapies can be delivered to patients. www.cytoritx.com
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes forward-looking statements regarding events, trends and prospects of our business, which may affect our future operating results and financial position. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results and financial position to differ materially. Some of these risks and uncertainties include our history of operating losses and expected continuing losses, the need for further financing, our ability to develop and commercialize regenerative cell-based therapies, our dependence on third parties, our ability to obtain, defend and enforce our intellectual property, and other risks and uncertainties described (under the heading "Risk Factors") in Cytori Therapeutics' Form 10-K annual report for the year ended December 31, 2005 and subsequent SEC filings. We assume no responsibility to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events, trends or circumstances after the date they are made.
February 8, 2007
First Heart Patient Treated in Adipose Stem Cell Trial; Cytori's Cardiovascular Stem Cell Study Initiated
SAN DIEGO & MADRID, Spain -- Feb 5, 2007 - Cytori Therapeutics and Hospital Gregorio Maranon in Madrid, Spain treated the first patient in Cytori's randomized clinical trial investigating the safety and feasibility of adipose-derived stem and regenerative cells as a therapy for cardiovascular disease.
The study, designated as the 'PRECISE' trial, will enroll patients suffering from chronic myocardial ischemia, a severe form of end-stage coronary artery disease, which is estimated to affect hundreds of thousands of patients in Europe and the United States. Patients in the study will receive their own adult stem and regenerative cells, thereby avoiding the risk of rejection or disease transmission that exists with donor stem cells and the controversy associated with embryonic stem cells. Once introduced into a patient's heart, the cells have shown preclinically to help the body improve blood supply that can restore circulation to the heart.
"Patients with chronic heart disease today have few options making this an important milestone for the affected patients and doctors that treat them," said Marc H. Hedrick, M.D., President for Cytori Therapeutics. "This study is designed to show unequivocally whether the cells from our Celution System(TM) can be safely introduced into the heart. Our ultimate goal is to asses the clinical therapeutic effect of the cells, which were shown in preclinical studies to significantly improve heart function."
Adipose Tissue: Rich Cell Source
Adipose tissue, commonly known as fat, is the human body's richest known source of stem cells, as well as other cells that are believed to contribute to repair and healing, referred to as "regenerative cells." Due to its abundance and accessibility in the body, adipose tissue represents an ideal source for immediate access to a patient's own stem and regenerative cells.
The Celution(TM) System
For the PRECISE study, stem and regenerative cells are obtained at the bedside from the patients' own adipose tissue and made available in real-time using Cytori's Celution(TM) System. The Celution(TM) System automates and standardizes the complex process that releases stem and regenerative cells locked within adipose tissue. Adipose tissue is removed from the patient using a minor liposuction-like procedure, placed into the system and, with the touch of a button, processed. About an hour later, a prescribed dose of stem and regenerative cells are delivered to the patient.
Clinical Trial Details
The PRECISE study will evaluate the safety and feasibility of using adipose-derived stem and regenerative to treat 36 patients with chronic myocardial ischemia whom cannot be effectively treated by other means. The cells will be processed with the Celution(TM) System in the catheterization lab so they are available for the physician to re-inject into damaged heart muscle in about an hour using the NOGA(R) mapping and delivery system. A variety of clinical functional and imaging endpoints will be assessed in the study. The outcomes of the study will be evaluated after a six month follow-up period.
The PRECISE study is being conducted at the Hospital General Universitario Gregorio (HGU G) Maranon in Madrid, Spain. Professor Francisco Fernandez-Aviles, professor of cardiovascular medicine and chief of cardiology service at HGU G Maranon, and Dr. Emerson Perin, director of the New Interventional Cardiovascular Technology and director of the Stem Cell Center at the Texas Heart Institute will serve as co-principal investigators.
"Cytori's stem cell technology has the potential to become the next major advancement in cardiovascular disease care," said Dr. Aviles. "Their device is user-friendly and enables the delivery of patient's cells at the bedside without ever leaving the catheterization lab."
"These cells may be optimal for targeting cardiovascular disease due to their ability to promote blood vessel growth," said Dr. Perin. "This primary mode of action demonstrated in pre-clinical studies could result in significant clinical benefit."
About Cytori Therapeutics
Cytori Therapeutics is developing and seeks to commercialize stem and regenerative cell therapies for cardiovascular disease, reconstructive surgery and many other serious chronic, and life threatening conditions. To provide these therapies, physicians remove a small amount of a patient's fat, also known as adipose tissue, and run it through Cytori's Celution(TM) System. This System quickly separates and concentrates stem and regenerative cells from adipose tissue so they may be quickly administered back to the patient about an hour later. This system will dramatically improve the way in which personalized cell-based therapies can be delivered to patients. www.cytoritx.com
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes forward-looking statements regarding events, trends and prospects of our business, which may affect our future operating results and financial position. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results and financial position to differ materially. Some of these risks and uncertainties include our history of operating losses and expected continuing losses, the need for further financing, our ability to develop and commercialize regenerative cell-based therapies, our dependence on third parties, our ability to obtain, defend and enforce our intellectual property, and other risks and uncertainties described (under the heading "Risk Factors") in Cytori Therapeutics' Form 10-K annual report for the year ended December 31, 2005 and subsequent SEC filings. We assume no responsibility to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events, trends or circumstances after the date they are made.
Adipose Stem Cell Surgery
click on link below for video.
http://www.ksdk.com/video/player.aspx?aid=46269&bw=
http://www.ksdk.com/video/player.aspx?aid=46269&bw=
Adipose Derived Stem Cells and Banking
THOUGHTS FROM CYTORI...
"Heads are spinning right now," says Dr. Marc Hedrick, a former University of California, Los Angeles plastic surgeon and president of Cytori Therapeutics, a company that has pioneered the extraction of stem cells from fat and its possible use in generating tissue for reconstructive surgery and the treatment of heart disease. "I'm bullish on (stem-cell banking) long term. But as a practical matter, either doctors or patients will need better proof of therapeutic use before a big market will develop."
"Heads are spinning right now," says Dr. Marc Hedrick, a former University of California, Los Angeles plastic surgeon and president of Cytori Therapeutics, a company that has pioneered the extraction of stem cells from fat and its possible use in generating tissue for reconstructive surgery and the treatment of heart disease. "I'm bullish on (stem-cell banking) long term. But as a practical matter, either doctors or patients will need better proof of therapeutic use before a big market will develop."
Monday, April 9, 2007
COSMETIC STEM CELLS and liposuction and cosmetic surgery
Adipose derived stem cells can be harvested during liposuction and then transplanted back into other areas of the body like the nasolabial folds as a dermal filler. One wonders if abdominal versus visceral versus other adipose tissue sites contribute to better fat engraftment. One also wonders what inhibition is there, if any, of the transplanting adipose tissue. Will the transposed tissue deminish in size, like we typically expect or grow uncontrollably and continue to expand and enlarge in volume. Preliminary pictures from Japan suggest long term expansion should not occur with transfer of fat into the female breast. Certainly more studies are warranted.
Saturday, April 7, 2007
Cosmetic stem cells.
Scientists in Japan have already begun using adipose derived stem cells and endothelial cell precursors to augment breasts in women. Big question is this... what are the reassurances that these new cells will behave themselves in terms of normal activity and refrain from becoming tumorgenic.
Use of adipose derived stem cells for cosmetic purposes: Cosmetic Stem Cells.
Adipose tissue contains CD34 cells. Are these CD34 cells regenerated in the subcuticular layer from the muscle? bone marrow? or the subcuticular layer itself? Does anyone dare to postulate?
Friday, April 6, 2007
Who has the best technology?
Cytori, Healtheuniverse, ChemDiv, Covina, Tulip? What other players in this field are there? UCLA, UPitt? Certainly there are more than just listed here... especially the academic groups... What do you think?
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