US Army Grant for Traumatic Wounds, NeoStem (NYSE Amex)
NBS has been awarded a $700 K contract for the purpose of evaluating the use of topically applied bone marrow-derived adult mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for rapid wound healing from the US Army Medical Research and Materiel Command, Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center (USAMRMC-TATRC) under US Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity.
Wound healing could represent just the beginning of more collaborative projects involving other clinical indications, such as spinal cord injuries and retinal damage. NBS had previously announced that this funding was included in the Department of Defense (DOD) FY09 Appropriations Bill and will begin receiving funds to initiate the program in 2010.
Vincent Falanga, MD, FACP, Professor, Boston University School of Medicine and Chairman and Program Director at Roger Williams Medical Center, who is to be Co-Principal Investigator for this study stated “Adult mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and very small embryonic-like (VSEL) stem cells can be harvested with relative ease from individuals”.
- Studies indicate that an individual’s own (autologous) stem cells can be highly successful in healing wounded tissues and in regenerative processes,
- Together with the wound delivery methods developed, these stem cells could bring about a quantum step forward in the way we treat non- healing chronic wounds and many types of injuries,
- Both in the civilian and military population.
