Stem cells take center stage in San Diego summit

The Stem Cell Summit wrapped up two days of discussions in San Diego with a focus on some of the therapies that are either already in use or close to it. There's already a small market to use stem cells to make synthetic discs for the spine, but a lineup of companies in the adult stem cell field--led by stem cells drawn from bone marrow, blood and fat--are pushing experimental therapies that are already at mid- to late-stage development, according to Robin Young, who helped organize The Stem Cell Summit. About 300 executives took part in the summit. Burrill & Co. hosted a gathering on stem cell advances this week as well, underscoring just how much fresh attention is being given to the emerging field.

- read the San Diego Union-Tribune report

ALSO: An appeals court in California heard arguments over the case against the state's $3 billion stem cell program. Observers felt the court seemed to favor the bond program against the arguments raised against it, but look for another appeal regardless of the outcome. The state stem cell institute, meanwhile, plans to issue $24 million in research grants tomorrow. Report

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