More Signs of Commercialization
The Sun-Sentinel reports on progress in yet another variety of first-generation stem cell therapy for heart damage: "Bioheart focuses on cell therapy, in which healthy cells are injected into the heart to replace dead tissue that forms after a heart attack. Called MyoCell, the company's product is derived from immature skeletal muscle cells, called myoblasts, taken from the patient's thigh. ... Cells naturally travel from other parts of the body to help a damaged heart, but that only lasts for a few days - not enough time for sufficient healing ... The technique we developed makes this happen for a couple to three weeks, and that produces a better recovery ... The procedure is in late-stage testing in Europe [and] Bioheart could apply for commercial approval there before year's end. Testing in the United States has not progressed as far."
Link: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/local/sfl-zbioheart24feb24,0,3470248.story