I mentioned previously how this whole new industry being built on stem cells would lead to interesting and possibly lucrative spin-offs with impact on lives everywhere. This article mentions a possible example.
Norwood Abbey, an Austalian company which has made several key acquisitions in the United States, has announced that its immunology subsidiary has signed a tripartite research agreement with Monash University (Melbourne) and the Australian Stem Cell Centre to focus on developing methods of controlling the immune system to minimize rejection of stem cell therapies.
The article states:"Under the agreement, Norwood Immunology will provide the ASCC with access to its thymic and bone marrow regrowth technology. This provides a method of replenishing stem cells and potentially facilitates the engraftment and uptake of introduced stem cells into the body, improving their ability to repair damaged tissue and minimizing their likelihood of rejection."
CAPITAL$$
The research will be funded jointly by the Australian Stem Cell Centre and Norwood Immunology and the intellectual property that results from the work will be jointly commercialized by both parties. It would make sense if Norwood's contribution were to be in time and materials (and possibly a bit of cash). This seems to be about stem cell expansion (and perhaps some immune modulation drugs?).
If a company could identify a way in which the immune system could be tightly regulated to accept foreign cells(very complex biocehmistry!), this would revolutionize stem cell therapy. No more HLA matching, less or no drugs, resulting in less side effects. It would be really meaningful for cancer patients and others undergoing stem cell transplants.
Every collaboration like this adds fuel to the fire and somewhere in the world, more dollars are spent on the conviction of stem cell therapy everyday.
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