NEOSTEM

NeoStem is a biopharmaceutical company that specializes in the collection and banking of adult stem cells. It was the first company to commercialize a method allowing healthy adults to bank their own stem cells, which are collected from the peripheral blood through a process known as apheresis. This process involves mobilizing endogenous adult stem cells from the bone marrow into the bloodstream, where they can be easily collected. Apheresis is a minimally invasive and painless procedure that typically lasts about 3 to 4 hours, during which patients remain awake and comfortable.

Importance of Adult Stem Cells

Adult stem cells have gained significant attention for their potential therapeutic applications. According to medical experts, these cells are at the forefront of treating various conditions such as osteoarthritis, heart failure, diabetes, lupus, and macular degeneration. The promise of autologous adult stem cell therapies has led to over 1,000 clinical trials exploring their efficacy for different diseases.

Collection and Storage Process

The collection process via apheresis is preferred over traditional bone marrow aspiration due to its non-invasive nature and reduced discomfort. Once collected, the adult stem cells are cryopreserved for future use. This allows individuals to have their own stem cells available for therapeutic applications without concerns regarding immune rejection since they are using their own biological material.

Clinical Applications and Research

NeoStem focuses on developing therapies utilizing autologous adult stem cells for multiple diseases. The company has also acquired exclusive licenses for technologies that identify and isolate very small embryonic-like stem cells (VSELs), which resemble embryonic stem cells in their pluripotency but are not derived from embryos. These VSELs may have various clinical applications as well.

Currently, adult stem cell transplants are standard care for treating blood cancers like leukemia and lymphomas. Furthermore, there are ongoing clinical trials investigating treatments for other diseases such as autoimmune disorders (e.g., lupus and multiple sclerosis) and even cosmetic procedures.

Expansion Efforts

In addition to its operations in the United States, NeoStem has expanded internationally by signing contracts with companies in China to develop networks of adult stem cell collection and treatment centers. This expansion underscores NeoStem’s commitment to advancing research and development in the field of adult stem cell therapies.