International St. Mary’s Hospital is recruiting participants for a clinical trial of a stem cell treatment for plantar fasciitis.
Professor Shim Dong-woo [Financial News] As summer approaches, rising humidity leads to the wearing of shoes with thin and hard soles. Excessive walking or prolonged standing due to improper footwear can increase the risk of plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is a common foot condition, characterized by inflammation of the broad fascia that extends from the heel bone to the toes. It is known to occur twice as often in women as in men. Pain often extends to the inner heel and the inner side of the foot, and is typically worst when patients take their first steps in the morning. Plantar fasciitis requires conservative treatment for at least six months. If symptoms persist beyond this period, surgery may be considered. However, careful consideration is required, as it can lead to complications such as nerve damage. Professor Shim Dong-woo of International St. Mary’s Hospital announced on the 19th that he is conducting a clinical trial to demonstrate the effectiveness of stem cell injection therapy, a non-surgical treatment, in patients with plantar fasciitis. Professor Shim explained, “Stem cell therapy has been suggested as a treatment option for osteochondral injuries of the talus. While clinical data are still limited, Ambrosi et al. reported significant clinical improvement in four patients with osteochondral injuries of the talus after administering autologous adipose-derived stem cells.” He added, “In this study, we aim to report the differences in treatment outcomes associated with stem cell therapy in patients with refractory plantar fasciitis, whose symptoms persist despite appropriate conservative treatment.” The cutting-edge, convergent medical devices and medical supplies used in this clinical study are supplied by Miracell. Autologous bone marrow-derived stem cells are extracted and used for treatment to regenerate the plantar fascia and reduce inflammation in patients with plantar fasciitis injuries. This medical device has been approved by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety for the treatment of cartilage injuries. Approximately 60ml of bone marrow is collected from the patient. Using medical supplies and a cutting-edge convergence system provided by Miracell, advanced cells are obtained through minimal manipulation. These cells, including healthy stem cells and immune cells, are then injected directly into the fascia. Pain and inflammation gradually decrease 15 days after the procedure, leading to healing. Patients with plantar fasciitis who wish to participate in the study can contact Miracell (mira1@mira119.com). Pompom@fnnews.com, Reporter Jeong Myeong-jin Original article link: https://www.fnnews.com/news/202005190918029425
Immunity against viruses… Expected to be strengthened with cutting-edge stem cells.
[Health Digest = Reporter Choi Min-young] While the nationwide COVID-19 outbreak stemming from the Itaewon club outbreak has once again raised concerns, statistics indicate that the likelihood of further spread has significantly decreased. However, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) and experts have stated that the end of COVID-19 remains uncertain, and a second wave of the pandemic in the fall is a concern. Biotechnology companies both domestically and internationally are focused on developing vaccines and antibodies, but they predict it will take months, if not more than a year, for treatments to become widely available. COVID-19 has thrown the world into a state of unpredictable turmoil, and it continues to unfold. Even as treatments are being developed, we cannot afford to let our guard down. Therefore, preserving and strengthening our immune systems until the pandemic is over is crucial. Reports of cases of COVID-19 patients being treated with stem cells, a cutting-edge cell type, are fueling growing interest in stem cells. On March 18th, the British daily Daily Mail reported that a joint study by the American stem cell company BHI and Dr. Wu Dongcheng of Wuhan, China, successfully treated nine elderly patients with severe COVID-19 by administering intravenous stem cell injections. Furthermore, on March 2nd, the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported that a research team led by Professor Hu Min of Kunming University in Yunnan Province, China, published a paper reporting that a 65-year-old woman with severe COVID-19 in China tested negative for the virus and showed improvement after receiving stem cell treatment. In response, Miracell Bio Research Institute (CEO Shin Hyun-soon), a stem cell specialist company, stated, “Based on the latest research findings, stem cells extracted from a patient’s own bone marrow or blood have the ability to reduce inflammation and find, regenerate, and repair damaged tissue.” “Stem cells can help suppress excessive inflammatory responses by activating tissue regeneration through communication with immune cells in damaged areas of the body and also controlling inflammatory responses,” he explained. The medical team at Cellpia, a domestic stem cell specialty clinic, stated, “The human body possesses natural killer (NK) cells, innate immune cells that can kill viruses and abnormal cells that invade the body without antibodies. NK cell activity is crucial for survival against COVID-19.” “Given the cases of increased NK cell activity following intravenous stem cell administration, it can be said that stem cells play a crucial role in treating viral diseases and enhancing our immune system.” While large-scale clinical trials of stem cell therapy have not yet been reported, active research is underway both domestically and internationally, as it is being applied to treat intractable and degenerative diseases. Reporter Choi Min-young kunkang1983@naver.com Original article link: http://www.ikunkang.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=31410
Cutting-edge stem cell technology is being used to treat diabetic complications.
[Edaily Reporter Park Cheol-geun] With the number of diabetic patients rapidly increasing, efforts are being made to develop medical technologies to treat diabetic complications. Injuries, particularly those at the toes, the farthest point from the heart, are often neglected. This neglect poses a particularly dangerous risk for patients with diabetic critical limb ischemia. Diabetic critical limb ischemia is primarily caused by vascular problems, which hinder wound healing, enlarge wounds, and make recovery difficult. In some cases, this can lead to amputation or the use of prosthetics. For those without health insurance, the high cost of treatment can be a significant concern. Consequently, the government is conducting clinical trials with subsidized funds to reduce the burden on patients while maximizing the effectiveness of advanced cell therapy. The cost of the procedure is approximately 5.5 million won, with government funding of 1 million won for the general public and 1.56 million won for the lower-income bracket. A representative from stem cell specialist Miracell explained, “Advanced cell stem cells (SmartPrep) possess self-renewal and differentiation capabilities, allowing them to differentiate into any tissue in the body, including the lungs, liver, kidneys, and skin.” They added, “They are effective in treating vascular diseases by reducing inflammation, regenerating damaged tissue and blood vessels, and improving blood circulation.” Notably, Harvard Medical School in the United States published a paper on the treatment of diabetic critical limb ischemia patients by injecting them into the muscles surrounding the leg arteries using a total advanced cell system containing stem cells extracted through an advanced cell system, CD34+ cells that treat vascular nephrocytes, and growth factors. This has provided hope to patients suffering from this condition worldwide. A company representative explained, “We are treating 100 diabetic critical limb ischemia patients at a limited number of hospitals, including Professor Park Soon-chul of the Department of Vascular and Transplant Surgery at Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, Professor Lee Dong-yeon of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Seoul National University Hospital, and Professor Park Eun-soo of the Department of Plastic Surgery at Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital.” Meanwhile, patients with diabetic critical limb ischemia who wish to participate in this trial can submit a simple application to Miracell headquarters by filling out their name and contact information. Original article link: https://www.edaily.co.kr/news/read?newsId=02591206625798112&mediaCodeNo=257
Ewha Medical Center Establishes a “Convergence Healthcare Technology Development Hub”
▲ ⓒEwha Medical Center Ewha Womans University Medical Center is accelerating the construction of a cutting-edge convergence healthcare technology development hub (R&BD HUB). On the 7th, Ewha Medical Center held an opening ceremony for the Industry-Academia Cooperation Center and a joint business partnership agreement signing ceremony with participating companies in the conference rooms on the 6th and 10th floors of Building B of the Medical Building at Ewha Mokdong Hospital, kicking off the project. The “Ewha Advanced Convergence Medical Cluster” is a project led by Ewha Medical Center, Ewha Womans University, and Ewha College of Medicine. The project aims to build an international, cutting-edge convergence healthcare technology development hub through collaboration between industry, academia, research, and hospitals. The Ewha Medical Center Research Promotion Team recruited companies for the industry-academia collaboration three times from last year to this year. A total of 10 companies were selected. The Ewha Advanced Convergence Healthcare Cluster Industry-Academia Cooperation Center was established on the 6th and 7th floors of Building B of the Medical Building at Ewha Mokdong Hospital. The Industry-Academic Cooperation Center consists of the BT (Biotechnology) Business Center on the 6th floor and the IT (Information Technology) Business Center on the 7th floor. Resident companies will receive support from the Ewha Medical Center Research Promotion Center for shared research equipment (equipment use training), access to laboratory animal rooms, access to amenities, and networking programs. The companies include: ▲Ewireliner Co., Ltd. (Jeon Yun-sik), ▲Skia Co., Ltd. (Lee Jong-myeong), ▲Cellmit Co., Ltd. (Park Gil-jun), ▲Miracell Co., Ltd. (Shin Hyun-soon), ▲Vastera Co., Ltd. (Kang Sang-won), ▲Nexion Biotech Co., Ltd. (Seo Jeong-taek, Kim Seong-wook), ▲IQURE B&P Co., Ltd. (Choi Young-kwon), ▲Synergy AI Co., Ltd. (Shin Tae-young), ▲Neurosona Co., Ltd. (Seo Seon-il), and ▲MyCheckup Co., Ltd. (Lee Hang-gu). Ewha Medical Center and the ten companies in residence signed this MOU, covering collaboration in new drug development clinical trials, basic medical research and industrialization, and other areas of mutual agreement. Ewha Medical Center President Yoo Kyung-ha said, “We welcome the companies joining the Ewha Advanced Convergence Healthcare Cluster Industry-Academic Cooperation Center, which will emerge as a global, cutting-edge convergence healthcare hub. We will do our best to become a leading company in the biomedical industry by promoting medical technology commercialization and revitalizing R&D activities.” Reporter Park Geun-bin ray@newdailybiz.co.kr Original article link: http://biz.newdaily.co.kr/site/data/html/2020/07/08/2020070800139.html
Miracell Launches Stem Cell Storage Service on Home Shopping
[Daily Medi Reporter Park Dae-jin] Stem cell specialist Miracell (CEO Shin Hyun-soon) is garnering attention by launching an “immune stem cell extraction and storage service” on a home shopping channel. “Cell extraction and storage service” refers to the storage of immune cells and stem cells for disease treatment. While several companies are currently involved in the cell storage industry, Miracell is the first to reach consumers through a home shopping channel. Miracell is the first stem cell specialist in Korea to register autologous stem cell therapy as a new medical technology and receive notification from the Ministry of Health and Welfare. It has also registered six additional autologous stem cell therapies. While stem cell therapy has traditionally been a privilege reserved for a select few, Miracell’s service offers a unique advantage: a monthly subscription of 62,000 won for 60 months, made possible through a partnership with a rental company. The company also offers a variety of free tests to assess current and future health indicators. Miracell leverages cell extraction technology developed by the IDI Immunology Institute at Harvard Medical School. Using Harvard’s expertise, the company calculates precise cell density and extracts and stores optimal cells. A company representative stated, “We extract and store not only immune cells and stem cells, but also large amounts of growth factors and SDF-1α, a signaling molecule that helps stem cells migrate to the treatment site.” This cell storage service product is available domestically and is particularly safe because it does not require a culture process. Cultured cells have been limited to domestic and international procedures due to the risk of genetic modification and infection, and their safety has not been proven. Miracell has resolved this issue. Furthermore, excellent cells obtained through individual cell count tests are frozen and stored in liquid nitrogen tanks for 20 years, with the option to extend the storage period. This cell storage service product is stored directly by the Miracell Bio Research Institute and is covered by DB Insurance for up to KRW 200 million in damages resulting from deterioration, damage, or loss during storage. Miracell CEO Shin Hyun-soon said, “With a sense of mission to overcome disease and lead a healthy life, we launched a cell extraction and storage service that offers one-stop service from subscription to storage and use.” Meanwhile, the home shopping channel can be found on Olleh TV channel 44, SK Broadband channel 31, LG U+ channel 36, and Skylife channel 30. Original article link: http://www.dailymedi.com/detail.php?number=858293&thread=22r05