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Hi farviewhill,
In my opinion NBS is taking a methodical approach in their response to yesterday's article questioning their VSELs.
Robin Smith is a pretty smart woman and that's why she is sitting in that CEO position.
We can probably expect a response from her very soon.
"Earlier this year, NeoStem announced plans to launch the first human trials of the cells for bone growth.
“We tried as hard as we could to replicate the original published results using the methods described and were unable to detect these cells in either the bone marrow or the blood of laboratory mice,” said lead author Irving Weissman, who directs Stanford’s Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine.
Weissman’s study is the first to evaluate the biological potency of the cells, and it found they could not transform into blood cells and contained very little DNA.
Instead, researchers found that what purported to be VSELs — about five micrometers in diameter — were either debris or dead cells.
“A true pluripotent cell would be able to differentiate into any tissue type,” said Weissman. “But we couldn’t confirm that cells of that size or phenotype could generate hematopoietic cells with any reliability.”
In response, NeoStem chairman and CEO Robin Smith said the company has studies in progress that will “confirm whether or not VSEL(s) have characteristics of a pluripotent stem cell.”
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/07/24/study-casts-doubt-on-embryonic-like-stem-cells-promoted-by-vatican-linked-company/
I agree with you, it's a pretty hard blow to their VSELs...for now.
Definitely a crap shoot IMO. You're assessment is valid. Might be a good re-entry point opportunity right before uplisting to NASDAQ. Just in time to make some profits on the short spike due to that event. GLTU.
NBS news...
A US company that promoted its stem cell discovery in partnership with the Vatican has come under fresh scrutiny by independent scientists who said Wednesday the cells do not exist.
Scientists at Stanford University said in the journal Stem Cell Reports they could not replicate NeoStem's findings of very small embryonic-like cells (VSELs) in the bone marrow of lab mice.
These cells have been touted by the New York-based company as an ethical alternative to stem cells requiring the destruction of human embryos, with the same regenerative ability to transform into other cell types in the body.
Earlier this year, NeoStem announced plans to launch the first human trials of the cells for bone growth.
"We tried as hard as we could to replicate the original published results using the methods described and were unable to detect these cells in either the bone marrow or the blood of laboratory mice," said lead author Irving Weissman, who directs Stanford's Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine.
Weissman's study is the first to evaluate the biological potency of the cells, and it found they could not transform into blood cells and contained very little DNA.
Instead, researchers found that what purported to be VSELs -- about five micrometers in diameter -- were either debris or dead cells.
"A true pluripotent cell would be able to differentiate into any tissue type," said Weissman. "But we couldn't confirm that cells of that size or phenotype could generate hematopoietic cells with any reliability."
In response, NeoStem chairman and CEO Robin Smith said the company has studies in progress that will "confirm whether or not VSEL(s) have characteristics of a pluripotent stem cell."
"We acknowledge that there is controversy in the VSEL field but this is not unusual for most new scientific discoveries and theories (Darwin and evolution, Copernicus and earth orbiting the sun as examples)," Smith said in a statement emailed to AFP.
The cells were first described in 2006 by researchers working with lab mice at the University of Louisville in Kentucky.
Lead author of that first study to describe VSELs, Mariusz Ratajczak, told the journal Cell Stem Cell, in the edition coming out August 1, that he was anxious about the pace.
"I'm a little bit scared because I know that NeoStem would like to go fast to the clinic," he was quoted as saying. "I still think we need to do more basic research."
NeoStem has about 20 patent applications that protect the method for isolating the cells.
The company along with other partner institutions have also received $4.5 million in government research grants, including from the Department of Defense and the National Institutes of Health.
In 2010, it partnered with the Vatican on a charity to promote awareness of alternatives to embryonic stem cell research.
"Your own adult stem cells are the perfect ethical and moral alternative to stem cells derived from other donors or from embryonic stem cells," NeoStem says on its website.
According to Ihor Lemischka, professor of regenerative biology and director of the Black Family Stem Cell Institute at The Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York, the money spent on VSEL research was a "waste of funding."
"My impression is that this has been a controversial issue since the VSEL cells were first described," said Lemischka, who was not involved with the research.
"It is good that the Weissman laboratory, one of the most prominent stem cell labs in the world, has addressed these issues," he told AFP.
"Optimistically, the issue could now be well on the way to being settled," said Lemischka.
http://my.news.yahoo.com/embryonic-stem-cells-cant-found-160726015.html
I'm sorry but the NBS and ACTC comparisons just don't have any merit IMO. ACTC holds a lot more promise in their pipeline and their future outlook is a lot more promising...It's just a matter of time before they leave NBS in the dust.
As far as management goes, everyone can criticize all they want but as soon as we hit pay dirt you will hear quite a different tune.
I don't like the idea of discussing another stock on NBS's board but everyone else keeps bringing it up. I'm happy for all the shareholders that NBS popped and I'm sure the traders have been salivating at the mouth but as we've seen it's already settling back down. NBS is good at throwing out a lot of PR's to help move their stock but that only helps out people that trade it. Nothing wrong with that, I'm just sayin'.
Good post Ernie, I agree with you...keep a close watch on this one.
I don't have a position in NBS anymore but still look at it occasionally.
I disagree with you, I find it highly unlikely that the PPS will drop all the way down to 1.50 and stay there. That would be like it dropping to .15 cents PRE-Reverse split! I don't think so.
I don't think this company would be mismanaged to that degree. It's OK to leave a position in a company if you don't believe in it anymore but it's another thing to make wild, unfounded predictions like that trying to instill panic in shareholders. Good luck with MEDS, a pop in a day is ok if you're a trader, its done this a few times in the past but longterm might tell a different story.
CBAI IS STILL SUCKING WIND!
Your statement pretty much sums it up. "The History of this company" History is in the past, this company is moving forward. GR is doing a good job and has been moving us in a positive direction. Only traders look at the current PPS and fail to see the future of this company. You would have to be locked up in a closet to not see how much progress has been done in the last year and where we are heading. As I have stated many times before...why stay invested in a company if you feel the CEO is not trustworthy or incompetent? It's not that difficult to see the difference between the longs and the traders on this board. That's the great thing about the ignore button!
DS...you don't have to worry too much. It's not a matter of "If but when" we get a JV signed. You can be rest assured that the PPS will go well above 0.13 when that moment comes! GLTUA.
Nice try, comparing Roche and BMSN is like trying to compare A Ferrari to a Volkswagen! LOL!!!
I agree with you...lots of flippers in here. They're the ones screaming...News...News...News but with no hard data to back it up!
http://www.fdareview.org/approval_process.shtml
It's not as easy as some people on this board are trying to make it sound.
When you say "Most ind's make it"...Can you be a little more specific?
Congrats sf, and as a member of the site that you founded thank you for all that you do.
I'm well aware of where the bottom line is and iv'e been adding to my position at these levels every chance I get!!! :)
Good luck to you.
I agree...Usually always.
I would like to see how long you would stick around if the Good Doctor" took his services elsewhere!
Lots of opportunities to average down and even make money with this stock if you play your cards right. Maybe you just don't know how to play...IMHO.
A quick look at Michael Rays latest article on Seeking Alpha...
Under this agreement, ACTC has the right over a period of three years to sell up to an additional $34.2 million of its common stock to Lincoln Park Capital. The proceeds from this transaction will be used to fund the company's clinical activities, including its three ongoing Phase I/II clinical trials for forms of macular degeneration, for development of its other clinical activities, and for general corporate purposes. The $35 million available under the agreement equates to more than two years of funding for ACTC. Under the terms of the agreement, there are no upper limits to the price that Lincoln Park Capital may pay to purchase the company's common stock. Also this transaction in no way impedes or changes ACTS's goal of completing a reverse split in order to uplisting on the NASADQ in the near future. Finally, Lincoln Park Capital has covenanted not to cause or engage in any manner whatsoever, any direct or indirect short selling or hedging of the company's shares of common stock.
However, if there's a lack of funding in 2013 that possibility could creep back into the picture, especially if we're still waiting on positive results by then.
Welcome back Rock and thanks for the valuable information you provide in every one of your posts. Your input on this board has been sorely missed these last few months!
The Fortune article is already out and the hard copy is already selling at news stands in several areas.
http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2012/09/28/stem-cell-business/?source=yahoo_quote
The man just put together the best financing deal of ANY TYPE that the company has ever secured in its 18 year history as both a private and public company...Yeah, he's not to be trusted!
I don't know, maybe it's just me but if I didn't trust the CEO of a company I sure as hell would think twice about investing in that company!
You're exactly right okoil. Shorts, flippers and day traders, it's not to difficult to figure out who they are....all you have to do is read their posts. They are constantly fip flopping accordingly with the PPS. That's why I don't frequent this board that much anymore, it's become a tool for those type of people. Thank god it's not the only forum around. I have to admit though...for entertainment it does serve a purpose!
Maurie Hill is now on the icell forum for those of you that are following her.
http://investorstemcell.com/forum/forum.php#close
It's back on. EOM
I think it is, haven't been able to get on for a while now.
Yeah baby...bring on .10 and beyond!!! :)
It's all building up nice, good momentum towards that upcoming CC...hope we get some decent news.
GLTUA.
I'm In The ACT Stem Cell Trial For Stargardt Disease!
Thanks To Tunis from the iCell forum for this nice find.
http://www.aisquared.com/blog/2012/07/im-in-the-act-stem-cell-trial-for-stargardt-disease/
I'm desperately looking for the "Like" button loisa but I can't find it! :)
Actually a pretty well calculated move. Can you imagine him trying to squeeze out a few fractions of a cent more knowing he would be exposing himself to the wrath of the shareholders for trying to make a profit at our expense!
Being facetious of course.
Very well said louisa...eom
The more I read this board, the more I'm starting to figure out certain agendas.
My Agenda? Do my own DD on the stock. Read certain posts and take in their entertainment value. Pay attention to comments that have informative value and research them.
And stay focused on what's up a head. JMHO.
Looking forward to the next C.C.
Disclosure: I'm long ACTC!!!
GLTUA.
Hi hopefulstem, don't know if this is one of the discussions you're referring to but it sounds as though Stem Cells might be playing a role in this.
http://m.npr.org/story/157444649?url=/blogs/health/2012/07/26/157444649/two-more-nearing-aids-cure-after-bone-marrow-transplants-doctors-say
"Reading it makes me think Dr. Lanza may have inherited some genes from Lucretius".
I understand what you're saying.
Thanks for the tip...looks like I have some interesting reading set up for this weekend! :)
There's another one out there. Physics Of The Future by Michio Kaku. Dr. Lanza and Advanced Cell Technology get a nice plug in that one.
Some facts about Glaucoma...
http://www.glaucoma.org/glaucoma/glaucoma-facts-and-stats.php
Thanks to stemdynasty from the iCell forum...
Glaucoma is now in our pipeline.
http://www.advancedcell.com/our-technology/act-stem-cell-related-research-pipeline/