Finally True Hope For Those With ALS

Hat Tip to Israel Matzav

For many years those with ALS also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, have prayed for a cure for the disease that would eventually kill them.  And now an Israeli company, BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics  has been granted a US patent for their autologous stem cell technology.

Israel-based BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics said on Monday the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has granted the company a key patent for its autologous stem cell technology.

The patent covers BrainStorm's stem cells induced to secrete elevated levels of neurotrophic factors for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

Pending approval from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, the company is preparing for its upcoming mid-stage Phase II trial in the United States with its NurOwn adult stem cell therapy.

BrainStorm is developing NurOwn for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.

Separately, the company said it has signed a definitive agreement with Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston to conduct a Phase II clinical trial of NurOwn in ALS, pending FDA approval. The other two clinical sites slated for the trial are the University of Massachusetts Memorial Hospital and Mayo Clinic.

"The recent bill introduced to the U.S. Senate to support regenerative medicine research is yet another indication of the increasing recognition that stem cells hold the promise for curing life-threatening and debilitating conditions like ALS," said Chaim Lebovits, BrainStorm's president.

"We are very encouraged by the bill's proposal to appoint a council that would develop and maintain a national strategy for the promotion of regenerative medicine research and development."

SOURCE

The following is a clip from Channel 2 in Israel about this breakthrough. It is in Hebrew with subtitles.



Click here if the video fails to load.

Stephen Hawking has ALS and is boycotting Israel.  Will he show himself to be a true hypocrite and take this treatment or will he have the fortitude to refuse this cure?  I bet it will be the first.

For other sufferers of ALS there is now true hope.  Let us hope that the final trials all go well and thousands are now cured.  How Mr. Gehrig would be jumping with joy for that.

A Message To ALS Sufferers - From Israel

Hat Tip to Simply Jews

Let's keep our fingers crossed, and if it comes to be, one of the more cruel diseases may be conquered or, at least, managed to a degree considered hitherto impossible.



Click here if the video fails to load.

BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc. (OTC BB: BCLI), Israeli Channel 2 TV interviewed today a patient suffering from Myasthenia Gravis (MG) and recently diagnosed with ALS. The patient reported that he has experienced visible improvement in his speech, walking, balance, posture, muscle strength, appetite, digestion, and weight gain following compassionate treatment with BrainStorm's NurOwn cell therapy....

BrainStorm expects to expand its ALS clinical development into the United States. Orphan-drug designation for NurOwn has been granted by the US Food and Drug Administration. In addition, the Company has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Massachusetts Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital to begin ALS human clinical trials at these institutions.

And more:

BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics said the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota has agreed to conduct a clinical trial of the company's adult stem cell treatment for ALS. The Mayo Clinic is the third leading U.S. clinical site to sign a letter of understanding, following the University of Massachusetts and Massachusetts General, BrainStorm said on Monday.

What else is left to say? Oh yes, and I hope that the treatment will become available in time to help our principled boycotter, Stephen Hawking, who used to support the ALS research in Israel.

About Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. According to the ALS Association, approximately 5,600 people in the U.S.are diagnosed with ALS each year and it is estimated that as many as 30,000 Americans may have the disease at any given time. The financial cost to families of patients is exceedingly high.

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Stephen Hawking has been living (existing) with ALS since 1963 when he was given 2 years to live.  He is still alive and is the only person to live with ALS as long as he has.  (50 years)  It is a shame that Professor Hawking has decided to boycott Israel.  A boycott that could cost him his life.