Medistem Labs Panama Archives - Stem Cell Institute

Multiple Sclerosis News Today: Stem Cell Institute MS Trial is #4 in Top 10 MS Stories of 2018

Congratulations to Dr. Riordan and everyone at Stem Cell Institute and Medistem Labs in Panama!

Multiple Sclerosis News Today published its Top 10 Multiple Sclerosis Stories of 2018 and named Stem Cell Institute’s MS clinical trial its #4 top MS story of 2018.

The name of the article that reached #4 is “Treatment with Umbilical Cord Stem Cells Safe with Sustained Benefits for MS, Trial Shows”

The original peer-reviewed article, entitled “Clinical feasibility of umbilical cord tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of multiple sclerosis” is published in the Journal of Translational Medicine and can be viewed here: https://translational-medicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12967-018-1433-7

Jay Lenner2019-02-25T20:32:27+00:00January 4th, 2019|Medistem Labs Panama, Mesenchymal Stem Cells, mesenchymal stem cells, Multiple Sclerosis, Multiple Sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, Neil Riordan Phd, News, Stem Cell Research, Stem Cell Therapy|

Stem Cell Therapy at Stem Cell Institute on PBS-TV Dallas-Fort Worth this Sunday! PBS KERA TV-13

PBS TV (KERA 13) in Dallas-Fort Worth – Go inside our clinic and lab in Panama, and watch interviews with 3 patients. The other episode follows a knee patient through the treatment process at Dr. RIordan’s orthopedic stem cell clinic in Southlake, Texas. Sunday, January 29th from 12pm – 1pm.

Stem Cells I

Riordan-McKenna Institute – Stem Cell Therapy for Orthopedics

Take a journey with marathon runner and knee patient Jim Morella as he undergoes a stem cell augmented arthroscopic knee procedure. Peer inside the operating room as Dr. McKenna harvests stem cells from Jim’s bone marrow, prepares them, and injects them into his knee. Tag along with Brenda as she interviews Jim at home following his recovery.

Dr. McKenna discusses Jim’s case with Brenda and explains why stem cell injections alone are not necessarily the best solution to knee problems, including Jim’s. He also touches upon the FDA’s current role regarding regulations.

Dr. Riordan talks about how the proprietary amniotic membrane tissue product used by RMI can enhance bone marrow stem cell therapy and the safety aspects of such treatments.

Stem Cells II

Stem Cell Institute in Panama: Spinal Cord Injury, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and More…

Brenda Watson takes you inside the Stem Cell Institute and Medistem Labs in Panama. If you have ever wondered what stem cell therapy is like in Panama, this show is for you.

See inside the laboratory and clinic as Brenda follows three patients through the treatment and recovery process: Sam Harrell (MS), Juan Jose Ballareno (Spinal Cord Injury) and Todd Rinehart (RA).

Meet the team as she interviews key players:

Neil Riordan, PhD, Founder and Chief Scientist of Medistem Labs, explains how the Panamanian government regulates stem cells in Panama. He discusses how HUCT-MSCs work on RA before delving into the subject of clinical trials in Panama and the USA.

Medical director, Jorge Paz Rodriquez, MD discusses how HUCT-MSCs work and why they can be transplanted without immune system rejection.

Rodolfo Fernandez, Medistem Panama Laboratory Director talks about tissue selection and processing.

jaytest2017-01-25T17:16:08+00:00January 25th, 2017|Bone Marrow Stem Cells, Dr. Wade McKenna, Medistem Labs Panama, mesenchymal stem cells, multiple sclerosis, Neil Riordan Phd, News, orthopedics, PBS TV Stem Cells, rheumatoid arthritis, Southlake, Stem Cell Institute Panama, Stem Cell Therapy PBS TV, Video - Stem Cell Therapy|

Applied Stem Cell Therapy Expert, Neil Riordan, PhD, Authors “Cell Therapy for Liver Failure: A New Horizon” in Contemporary Liver Transplantation Medical Reference

DALLAS-FORT WORTH, TEXAS (PRWEB) NOVEMBER 08, 2016 (Original Press Release on PRWeb)

Neil Riordan, PhD

A new chapter by renowned applied stem cell therapy expert, Neil Riordan, PhD of the Riordan-McKenna Institute in Southlake, Texas; Medistem Labs Panama, and the Stem Cell Institute in Panama City, Panama, entitled, “Cell Therapy for Liver Failure: A New Horizon” is now available in the printed and online medical reference, “Contemporary Liver Transplantation – The Successful Liver Transplant Program”.

Contemporary Liver Transplantation provides a comprehensive review of the most crucial and provocative aspects of liver transplantation. The reference covers all disciplines involved in a multidisciplinary liver transplant team; provides a valuable resource for surgeons, hepatologists, anesthesiologists, transplant coordinators and administrators, amongst others; addresses organizational issues that are vital to the good performance of transplant programs; and offers the first 360-degree analysis of liver transplantation.

Liver failure is the seventh largest cause of death in industrialized countries. It occurs as a result of a number of acute and chronic clinical inciting factors, including drug-/alcohol-induced hepatotoxicity, viral infections, vascular injury, autoimmune disease, or genetic predisposition. The only available cure, liver transplantation, is severely limited by a lack of donors and further complicated by the adverse effects of chronic immune suppression.

In his chapter on stem cell therapy for liver failure, Dr. Riordan examines pre-clinical data and analyzes published clinical trials to identify promising sources of autologous stem cells to treat liver failure including: bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSC), adipose tissue MSC (AT-MSC), and bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMC) including their purified forms. In addition, he delves into allogeneic stem cells such as those harvested from umbilical cords after normal, healthy births.

“Many liver failure patients contact our clinics in Panama and Texas asking if there is anything we can do for them. Unfortunately, we have to tell them that we cannot treat liver failure. Even though some clinical trials have shown signals of efficacy, which is encouraging, I don’t think sufficient rationale exists to treat liver failure patients with the types of stem cells I’ve studied at present,” stated Dr. Riordan.

About Riordan-McKenna Institute (RMI)

RMI specializes in non-surgical treatment of acute and chronic orthopedic conditions using *amniotic tissue allograft and bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) that is harvested using the patented BioMAC bone marrow aspiration cannula. Common conditions treated include meniscal tears, ACL injuries, rotator cuff injuries, runner’s knee, tennis elbow, and joint pain due to degenerative conditions like osteoarthritis.

Additionally, RMI augments orthopedic surgeries with BMAC and amniotic tissue allograft to promote better post-surgical outcomes and uses amniotic membranes as part of a complete wound care treatment regimen.

BMAC contains a patient’s own mesenchymal stem cells (MSC,) hematopoietic stem cells (CD34+), growth factors and other progenitor cells. Amniotic tissue allograft is composed of collagens and other structural proteins, which provide a biologic matrix that supports angiogenesis, tissue growth and new collagen during tissue regeneration and repair.

*Amniotic tissue is donated after normal healthy births.

Riordan-McKenna Institute Website: http://www.rmiclinic.com

Riordan-McKenna Institute
801 E. Southlake Blvd.
Southlake, Texas 76092

Tel: (817) 776-8155
Toll Free: (877) 899-7836
Fax: (817) 776-8154

About Stem Cell Institute Panama

Founded in 2007 on the principles of providing unbiased, scientifically sound treatment options; the Stem Cell Institute (SCI) has matured into the world’s leading adult stem cell therapy and research center. In close collaboration with universities and physicians world-wide, our comprehensive stem cell treatment protocols employ well-targeted combinations of autologous bone marrow stem cells, autologous adipose stem cells, and donor *human umbilical cord stem cells to treat: autism, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, heart disease, and autoimmune diseases.

In partnership with Translational Biosciences, a subsidiary of Medistem Panama, SCI provides clinical services for ongoing clinical trials that are assessing safety and signs of efficacy for autism, multiple sclerosis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and spinal cord injury using allogeneic umbilical cord tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSC) and hU-MSC-derived mesenchymal trophic factors (MTF). In 2017, Translation Biosciences plans to expand its clinical trial portfolio to include heart disease and cerebral palsy.
*umbilical cord tissue is donated after normal, healthy births

For more information on stem cell therapy:

Stem Cell Institute Website: http://www.cellmedicine.com
Stem Cell Institute
Via Israel & Calle 66
Plaza Pacific Office #2A
Panama City, Panama

About Medistem Panama Inc.
Since opening its doors in 2007, Medistem Panama Inc. has developed adult stem cell-based products from human umbilical cord tissue and blood, adipose (fat) tissue and bone marrow. Medistem operates an 8000 sq. ft. ISO 9001-certified laboratory in the prestigious City of Knowledge. The laboratory is fully licensed by the Panamanian Ministry of Health and features 3 class 10000 clean rooms, class 100 laminar flow hoods, and class 100 incubators.

Medistem Panama Website: http://www.medistempanama.com

About Contemporary Liver Transplantation

Edited by Cataldo Doria, Contemporary Liver Transplantation provides a comprehensive review of the most crucial and provocative aspects of liver transplantation. It represents a unique source of information and guidance for the current generation of transplant surgeons that evolved from being pure clinicians into savvy administrators knowledgeable in every regulatory aspect governing transplantation.

The book contains 35 chapters covering every single aspect of the surgical operation in the donors as well as the recipients of liver transplants. The pre-operative work-up, as well as the post-operative immunosuppression management and the treatment of recurrent diseases are addressed in detail. Single chapters are dedicated to controversial issues like transplantation in patients diagnosed with NASH, transplantation for patients diagnosed with HCC beyond Milan criteria and usage of HIV positive donors. Dedicated chapters on HCV, HCC, FHF and NASH will make this book a unique resource for any health care provider part of the multidisciplinary liver transplant team.

The book goes beyond the analysis of the formal medical and surgical aspects of liver transplantation and introduces deep knowledge on key aspects of contemporary transplant programs, such as: physical rehabilitation, palliative care, pregnancy, the multiple requirements of regulatory agencies ruling transplantation, quality measurements for transplant programs, finance and liability.

The book is organized in 9 sections focusing on each key aspect of liver transplantation. Contemporary Liver Transplantation addresses the need and the questions of the multidisciplinary group involved including surgeons, Hepatologists, anesthesiologists, infectious disease specialists, radiologists, transplant coordinators, financial specialists, epidemiologists and administrators.

Contemporary Liver Transplantation Online: http://www.springer.com/us/book/9783319072081

Stem cell pioneer sets sights on Japan – Japan Times features Neil Riordan, PhD of Medistem Panama

“We enjoy the advantage of having a large amount of clinical data on 2,000 patients. So we analyzed who received which cells and which cells worked best in different conditions. This allowed us to create our selection process through molecular profiling,” explained Medistem (Panama) Founder and CEO Dr. Neil Riordan.

Operating what is arguably the country’s most advanced laboratory, an 8,000-sq-ft facility in the City of Knowledge science and technology cluster, Medistem has raised its profile in recent years as it develops stem cell-based products for clinical trials for treatment of autism, asthma, multiple sclerosis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and spinal cord injuries.

Utilizing its patented technologies, Medistem harvests human adult stem cells from umbilical cords, tissues and blood as well as from bone marrow and adipose tissue. “We have intellectual property on a methodology for basically defining which are good cells, which are mediocre and which are the useless ones. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved our cells for compassionate use in the United States. This is a big step,” Riordan said.

Compassionate use, also known as expanded access, refers to the use of investigational new drugs outside of a clinical trial by patients with serious, life-threatening conditions. After finishing its first prospective clinical trial, and with six others in the pipeline, the company is considering the favorable regulatory conditions for cell therapy in Japan, now a promising market for its products.

“Japan has a law on the books that allows a company of our size to commercialize such products. That makes it our number one priority. We are gearing up to present our data to regulators, as well holding talks with potential partners over there,” Riordan added.

US FDA Green Lights Second Duchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy Patient To Receive Human Umbilical Cord Stem Cells In US

(PRWEB) MAY 26, 2016

After several promising treatments in Panama using stem cell technology developed by Medistem Panama Inc. at the City of Knowledge in Panama, a 6 year-old Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy patient received his first umbilical cord tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells in the US earlier this year following FDA approval of a second application for a single patient, investigational new drug (IND) for compassionate use.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a rapidly progressive form of muscular dystrophy that occurs primarily in boys. It is caused by an alteration (mutation) in a gene, called the DMD gene, which causes the muscles to stop producing the protein dystrophin. Individuals who have DMD experience progressive loss of muscle function and weakness, which begins in the lower limbs and leads to progressively worsening disability. Death usually occurs by age 25, typically from lung disorders. There is no known cure for DMD.

This trial marks the second time the FDA has granted an investigational allogeneic stem cell IND for Duchenne’s in the United States.

Ryan Benton, the first DMD patient to be treated in the US with umbilical cord stem cells just celebrated his 30th birthday, a landmark age for any Duchenne’s patient. The FDA recently approved a request to increase Ryan’s treatments from two to three times per year. Since his treatments began in September 2014, Ryan’s condition has stabilized and there have not been any adverse side effects reported.

The new subject had traveled to the Stem Cell Institute in Panama several times for treatments similar to Ryan’s. Encouraging results and news of Ryan’s compassionate use trial prompted his parents to seek out a similar trial for him in the US, which was recently granted by the FDA.

Since 2007, The Stem Cell Institute has treated patients with human umbilical cord tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells for autism, cerebral palsy, heart failure, multiple sclerosis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and spinal cord injury.

In Panama, the institute is currently providing clinical services for Translational Biosciences’ Institutional Review Board-approved phase 1/2 clinical trials for autism, MS, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and spinal cord injury. It anticipates approvals for cerebral palsy and heart failure trials in the future. For more information about see: Translational Biosciences on ClinicalTrials.gov.

Renowned stem cell scientist Neil H. Riordan, PhD, developed the stem cell technology being utilized in this trial. Dr. Riordan is the founder and president of the Stem Cell Institute in Panama City, Panama, and Medistem Panama. Medistem Panama is providing cell harvesting and banking services for this trial.

The Aidan Foundation, a non-profit organization founded by Dr. Riordan in 2004 to provide financial assistance for researching unmet medical needs, is providing financial assistance for this trial.

About Stem Cell Institute Panama

Founded in 2007 on the principles of providing unbiased, scientifically sound treatment options; the Stem Cell Institute (SCI) has matured into the world’s leading adult stem cell therapy and research center. In close collaboration with universities and physicians world-wide, our comprehensive stem cell treatment protocols employ well-targeted combinations of autologous bone marrow stem cells and donor human umbilical cord stem cells to treat: autism, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, heart disease, and autoimmune diseases.

In partnership with Translational Biosciences, a subsidiary of Medistem Panama, SCI provides clinical services for ongoing clinical trials that are assessing safety and signs of efficacy for autism, multiple sclerosis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and spinal cord injury using allogeneic umbilical cord tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSC) and hU-MSC-derived mesenchymal trophic factors (MTF). In the future, Translation Biosciences expects to expand its clinical trial portfolio to include heart disease and cerebral palsy.

For more information on stem cell therapy:

Stem Cell Institute Website: http://www.cellmedicine.com

Stem Cell Institute
Via Israel & Calle 66
Plaza Pacific Office #2A
Panama City, Panama

About Medistem Panama Inc.

Since opening its doors in 2007, Medistem Panama Inc. has developed adult stem cell-based products from human umbilical cord tissue and blood, adipose (fat) tissue and bone marrow. Medistem operates an 8000 sq. ft. ISO 9001-certified laboratory in the prestigious City of Knowledge. The laboratory is fully licensed by the Panamanian Ministry of Health and features 3 class 10000 clean rooms, class 100 laminar flow hoods, and class 100 incubators.

Medistem Panama Website: http://www.medistempanama.com

Medistem Panama Inc.
Ciudad del Saber, Edif. 221 / Clayton
Panama, Rep. of Panama
Phone: +507 306-2601
Fax: +507 306-2601

About Translational Biosciences

A subsidiary of Medistem Panama Inc., Translational Biosciences was founded solely to conduct clinical trials using adult stem cells and adult stem cell-derived products.

Translational Biosciences Web Site: http://www.translationalbiosciences.com

jaytest2016-05-26T14:54:14+00:00May 26th, 2016|Adult Stem Cells, Clinical Trials, Duchenne's muscular dystrophy, Duchenne's muscular dystrophy, Medistem Labs Panama, Mesenchymal Stem Cells, Muscular Dystrophy, muscular dystrophy, News, Stem Cell Research, Stem Cell Therapy, umbilical cord tissue stem cells|

First Duchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy Patient To Receive Umbilical Cord Stem Cell Therapy In US Turns 30

The first patient with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy to be granted FDA approval for allogeneic adult stem cell therapy in the United States turned 30 this year, well surpassing his original life expectancy and paving the way for future patients, according to non-profit organization Coming Together For A Cure.

Ryan Benton

WICHITA, KANSAS (PRWEB) MAY 18, 2016 – Ryan Benton was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) at the age of three and given a life expectancy in the late teens to early twenties. DMD is a relatively common progressive genetic disorder, which causes aggressive deterioration of the muscles.

In 2009, at the age of 22, Benton’s condition was critical. He met with the founder of the Stem Cell Institute in Panama City, Panama and Medistem Panama, Neil H. Riordan, PhD. Research had shown that adult stem cell therapy might have the potential to reverse the progression of DMD.

Because of the laws restricting adult stem cell therapy in the United States, Benton was forced to travel to Panama to receive his first life-saving treatment. Ryan made seven trips to Panama to receive treatments from Dr. Riordan’s team of physicians at the Stem Cell Institute.

“Ryan has seen vast improvements in muscle mass and lung capacity as a result of his treatments…”

Ryan was assured at the start that there was no guarantee that we would find success but we knew it was his only hope in fighting the disease, especially since his health was at a critical point. Ryan could tell shortly after the first treatment that something was working. He found a renewed strength that he had never felt before and not once did he see any adverse side effects. He trusted Dr. Riordan and felt safe and eager to undergo additional treatments.

It took five years of hard work and successful treatments, but Benton became the first (and only) DMD patient granted FDA approval for this form of medical therapy inside the United States. An investigational new drug (IND) for compassionate use application was approved, allowing Benton to receive treatment in his hometown, Wichita, KS.

Approval from the FDA came with many stipulations, however. This form of treatment was to be used for only a single patient, twice a year for 3 years.

By all accounts, January 2016 was a major milestone. The FDA has recently granted an additional treatment per year, now allowing Ryan three total treatments per year, as well as approval for a second compassionate use IND for another patient. This second patient, a six-year-old boy, has also shown success from previous treatments in Panama. He received his first treatment in the United States this year .

Ryan and his family have been actively involved in the local muscular dystrophy community, and have personally known dozens of others with DMD who have passed away at far too young of an age. That number continues to grow each day, which only continues to frustrate Ryan and his family as they fight for this treatment to be more readily available for others suffering from the same disease. Ryan believes that if treated early enough, patients could have a strong chance to live a “normal” life. Ryan believes if he had been treated when he was six years old, it could be very likely that he would never have faced any of the diseases debilitating effects.

Ryan has seen vast improvements in muscle mass and lung capacity as a result of his treatments, but we believe additional treatments on a more frequent basis would help ensure maximum potential when it comes to reversing the progression of his disease. Immediately following each round of treatment, we see dramatic increases in his overall health, stamina, physical strength, and ease in ability to breathe. Unfortunately, we have found that on average, three to four months after each treatment, the effectiveness of the cells begins to decrease. We believe the FDA’s permission to increase the number of treatments per year will help safeguard Ryan’s ability to preserve his improvements and more effectively control his Duchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy. Video: Ryan Benton discusses stem cell therapy for DMD
For many families that have lived alongside, or suffered from this disease, this is very exciting news. Ryan and his family are continually heart stricken as they hear of another member of their md community has died far too young due to the disease. It’s their hope they can help provide other families the same opportunities that they were so fortunate to receive.

Coming Together for a Cure, (CTFAC) is a non-profit organization founded by Benton’s siblings, Lauren and Blake after Ryan’s first round of treatments in 2009. In the 7 years since the Bentons were given new hope, they’ve been hard at work raising awareness and support for adult stem cell research and therapy.

To find more information about their organization, their family, or to find out how you can help, please visit http://www.comingtogetherforacure.org

For all other inquiries, please email comingtogetherforacure(at)gmail(dot)com

jaytest2016-05-18T15:26:04+00:00May 18th, 2016|Adult Stem Cells, Clinical Trials, Duchenne's muscular dystrophy, Duchenne's muscular dystrophy, Medistem Labs Panama, Mesenchymal Stem Cells, Muscular Dystrophy, muscular dystrophy, Neil Riordan Phd, News, Patient Stories, Stem Cell Institute Panama, Stem Cell Research, Stem Cell Therapy, umbilical cord tissue stem cells|

Why Stem Cells Work: Clinical Trials for Spinal Cord Injury, Multiple Sclerosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Duchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy

Neil Riordan, PhD speaks at the Riordan-McKenna Institute and Stem Cell Institute fall seminar in Southlake, Texas on October 10, 2015.

Dr. Riordan discusses:

How our lab selects uses specialized screening techniques to select only the stem cells that we know will be the most useful for our patients. Only about 1 in 100 cords pass this screening process.
How umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) control inflammation, modulate the immune system and stimulate regeneration.
How the number and function of our own stem cells decline over time.
How MSC secretions promote healing
Where MSCs are found in our body
First clinic trial in the US using umbilical cord tissue-derived stem cells
How MSC doubling times dramatically decrease as people age, which is why cord cells are much more robust than a patient’s own cells as they age
The origin of Medistem Lab in Panama
Why the Stem Cell Institute and Medistem Labs are in Panama
Stem cell therapy laws and approvals around the world
Global interest in mesenchymal stem cell therapy research
Current clinical trials using mesenchymal stem cells
Clinical trials in Panama
Collaborations with corporations and educational institutions
Mesenchymal stem cell selection, donor selection, and testing
Brief tour of Medistem Panama stem cell laboratory
Isolation and production of mesenchymal stem cells
Discovery of mesenchymal stem cells in menstrual blood
Umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell studies for rheumatoid arthritis
The role of T-regulatory cells in rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis
Treating spinal cord injuries with mesenchymal stem cells
Mechanism of mesenchymal stem cells on spinal cord injury. They are not becoming tissue. It’s their secretions that allow the spinal cord to heal itself.
Umbilical cord MSC studies on spinal cord injury
Data from Stem Cell Institute spinal cord injury patients
Video from treated spinal cord injury patients
Postnatal MSC safety
MSCs and cancer risk – MSCs have been shows to actually inhibit tumor growth

PBS to Feature Stem Cell Therapy at Stem Cell Institute and Medistem Labs Panama in TV Special

PBS is in Panama this week filming Stem Cell Institute’s clinic, staff and patients. Yesterday, they toured Medistem Labs Panama. Here are a few pictures taken by Dr. Riordan at the lab. Watch for this special to air on PBS this fall.