bgn & nih

I had a look on the NIH website yesterday and found the following on the site :

Stem Cells for the Future Treatment of Parkinson's Disease


Parkinson's disease (PD) is a very common neurodegenerative disorder that affects more than 2% of the population over 65 years of age. PD is caused by a progressive degeneration and loss of dopamine (DA)-producing neurons, which leads to tremor, rigidity, and hypokinesia (abnormally decreased mobility). It is thought that PD may be the first disease to be amenable to treatment using stem cell transplantation. Factors that support this notion include the knowledge of the specific cell type (DA neurons) needed to relieve the symptoms of the disease. In addition, several laboratories have been successful in developing methods to induce embryonic stem cells to differentiate into cells with many of the functions of DA neurons.

In a recent study, scientists directed mouse embryonic stem cells to differentiate into DA neurons by introducing the gene Nurr1. When transplanted into the brains of a rat model of PD, these stem cell-derived DA neurons reinnervated the brains of the rat Parkinson model, released dopamine and improved motor function.

Regarding human stem cell therapy, scientists are developing a number of strategies for producing dopamine neurons from human stem cells in the laboratory for transplantation into humans with Parkinson's disease. The successful generation of an unlimited supply of dopamine neurons could make neurotransplantation widely available for Parkinson's patients at some point in the future.

This is a company announcement from BGN recently

BRESAGEN LIMITED 2003-04-14 ASX-SIGNAL-G

HOMEX - Adelaide

+++++++++++++++++++++++++
BresaGen achieves key cell therapy milestone for Parkinson's Disease
Australian biotechnology company BresaGen Ltd today announced that it
had achieved a key milestone in the development of a cell therapy
treatment for Parkinson's Disease by demonstrating functional
recovery from effects of the disease in a rat model.

The company's scientific team has previously demonstrated the ability
to form large numbers of dopaminergic neurons from human Embryonic
Stem (ES) cells in vitro. The current breakthrough demonstrates that
these cells not only survive in a living body, but are also able to
decrease the effects of Parkinson's Disease in an animal model.

The BresaGen team implanted neural cells derived from human ES cells
into the brains of rats with lesions that cause Parkinson's
Disease-like effects. Within 8 weeks of implantation these effects
were significantly decreased in rats receiving these cell implants
when compared with a control group. Examination of the implants
revealed the presence of cells producing an enzyme involved in the
synthesis of dopamine, the neural transmitter that is markedly
decreased in Parkinson's Disease.

These results demonstrate a critical functional proof-of concept
which moves the product further along the path towards clinical
trials.

BresaGen Medical Director, Dr Chris Juttner explained: "This is the
first time that reduction of the effects of Parkinson's Disease has
been reported using neural cells derived from human ES cells in a
commercially viable way."

BresaGen scientists have developed novel methods for turning human ES
cells into neural cells. These proprietary methods have crucial
commercial advantages over other methods. The BresaGen method is
simple and scalable, allowing neural cells to be readily grown in
large numbers while complying with the FDA's standards of Good
Manufacturing Practice. This major development has come at a critical
time for BresaGen as the company continues its research in Australia
and the United States.

BresaGen Chief Executive, Dr John Smeaton said: "We are very excited
by this significant achievement which validates the approach we have
taken to developing a treatment for Parkinson's Disease."

I wonder if they have any connection, think i will give management a call now, if anybody has something to add would much appreciate it.