Restoration Of Vision In Blind Child With Leber's Congenital Amaurosis Through The Use Of Stem Cell Therapy

Main Category: Eye Health / Blindness
Also Included In: Stem Cell Research;  Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 12 Jan 2009 - 5:00 PST

email to a friend   printer friendly   view / write opinions   rate article

In May of 2009, StemCell Pharma, Inc. (SCPI) will organize an international commission for the examination of Edi Leanca, a Romanian boy born blind and diagnosed with Leber's Congenital Amaurosis (LCA), the most severe form of Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), who regained his sight after receiving stem cell implants. The technique used on Edi Leanca is a proprietary technique owned by SCPI. The examination will take place in Bucharest, Romania by a commission made up of retinal experts with representatives from Romania, the European community, Russia and the USA. A report will be issued regarding their examination.

You may find the entire story of Edi Leanca on the SCPI website http://www.stemcellpharmainc.com.

SCPI is a privately held Nevada corporation formed in May of 2005. It owns the worldwide rights to two inventions (patents pending) namely:

1. An Amniotic Membrane Stem Cell Telomerase Enhanced Implant and...
2. "The Transsclera Technology for Delivery of Stem Cells plus Enhancing Factors"

The first invention deals with a proprietary technique, whereby using telomerase modulators, the number of multiplications of the stem cells can be manipulated either by keeping them at normal rate or if needed to increase their multiplication by extending the telomerase lengths.

The second invention "The Transsclera Technology," uses the SCPI formulations (stem cells plus enhancing factors) applied on the sclera (the white of the eye) where through a proprietary technique, the formulations cross rapidly the retina layers, landing on the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and the photoreceptors layers. It is postulated that the stem cells would next, through a process of differentiation become cones and rods, eventually clean the area of damaged or dead photoreceptors, construct a new photoreceptor layer and restore a certain degree of vision.

Based upon this technology, SCPI had developed blue prints that would allow through setting up, licensing or joint venture (JV) agreements to set up new stem cell clinics or with existing stem cell clinics abroad.

Another project this time in the US would involve setting up an experimental stem cell clinic authorized in Nevada. This project if and when approved won't be the first one successfully concluded. In July of 1977, the Governor of Nevada Mike O'Callaghan signed the bill H.R. 54 authorizing the manufacturing and marketing in Nevada of Gerovital H3, GH3, the Romanian anti-aging drug brought to the US by Dr. Sapse. Gerovital H3 is now used all over the US.

SCPI has also available two stem cell treatments in injectable form containing formulations intended for retinal diseases and for the treatment of aging and diseases associated with aging.

These products are intended for clinical trials FDA type, in the US or abroad, and when or if approved for marketing, they would become available to patients via medical prescriptions issued by treating physicians. (Dr. Sapse President of StemCell Pharma, Inc. had received US patents for the treatment of Alzheimer's and depression in an aging population.)

StemCell Pharma, Inc.