StemCells, Inc. (STEM) today announced preclinical data demonstrating that its proprietary human neural stem cells restored memory and enhanced synaptic function in two animal models relevant to Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
The research was conducted in collaboration with a world-renowned leader in AD, Frank LaFerla, Ph.D., Director of the University of California, Irvine (UCI) Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders (UCI MIND), and Chancellor’s Professor, Neurobiology and Behavior in the School of Biological Sciences at UCI.
Matthew Blurton-Jones, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Neurobiology and Behavior at UCI, presented the study results at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference 2012 in Vancouver, Canada.
Dr. LaFerla said:
This is the first time human neural stem cells have been shown to have a significant effect on memory. While AD is a diffuse disorder, the data suggest that transplanting these cells into the hippocampus might well benefit patients with Alzheimer’s. We believe the outcomes in these two animal models provide strong rationale to study this approach in the clinic and we wish to thank the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine for the support it has given this promising research.
Alzheimer’s disease drug market valued at almost $6 billion in the seven major markets in 2011 (including USA, Japan, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK) and forecast to experience double-digit growth to 2020.
StemCells, Inc. , with the current market capitalization of $32 million, have a great chance to acquire a solid chunk of these $6 billion markets in event of successful development and commercialization of its technology.
As of 12:30 p.m. EST STEM stock traded over 7.5M shares (35 fold 10day average volume) and headed to our $2/share short-term target.
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StemCells, Inc. is applying its scientific and industry leadership in stem cell biology to discover, develop and commercialize breakthrough therapeutics and enabling tools and technologies for use in stem cell-based research and drug discovery.