BioTime, Sangamo, Beckman Research Institute at City of Hope, California Institute for Regenerative Medicine gene/cell therapy news

CIRM awarded a $14.3 million grant to BioTime's Asterias Biotherapeutics Inc. subsidiary to develop oligodendrocyte progenitor cells ( AST-OPC1) to treat severe spinal cord injuries. Asterias gained the program through its 2013 acquisition of the discontinued stem cell programs of Geron Corp. (NASDAQ:GERN, Menlo Park, Calif.). Geron had completed a Phase I trial with the oligodendrocyte progenitor cells. Asterias plans to start a Phase I/IIa trial of AST-OPC1 in six to nine months (see BioCentury, Nov. 21, 2011 & Oct. 7, 2013) ...