CSCRM - Center for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine

History

The Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine institutions and its associated investigators have a strong and well-established track record in the various aspects of stem cell and regenerative medicine:

1980	First stem cell transplant in the State of Ohio performed by Dr. Hillard Lazarus at University Hospitals of Cleveland (UHC).
1986	Drs. Arnold Caplan and Stephen Haynesworth, Department of Biology at Case Western Reserve University (Case), filed a series of patent applications describing mesenchymal stem cells. These stem cells patents have now become the foundation for an internationally recognized industry for cellular therapeutics.
1989-2000	A series of patents was secured by Case for mesenchymal stem cell transplantation, mesenchymal gene therapy, mesenchymal support of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, etc.
1994	Drs. Caplan and Haynesworth founded Osiris Therapeutics, a company devoted to mesenchymal stem cell research and therapeutics.
1996-2000	Three first-in-the-nation clinical trials began at UHC using mesenchymal stem cells.
1997	Dr. Mary Laughlin performed the first adult umbilical cord transplant at University Hospitals of Cleveland.
1999	Dr. Stan Gerson received a patent for drug selection stem cell gene therapy. This patent led to three clinical trials, with two in Ohio: one in Cleveland and the other in Cincinnati.
2002	The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute and the National Cancer Institute (NHLBI/NCI) awarded UHC and Case Transplant Program headed by Dr. Hillard Lazarus a Stem Cell Transplantation Center of Excellence. This award entitled UHC and Case to become one of the fifteen centers nationally to participate in stem cell transplantation.
2003	The NHLBI awarded Dr. Jaroslaw Maciejewski, Cleveland Clinic Foundation (CCF), a Center of Excellence in Stem Cell Failure Syndromes. The Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine was established by Case Western Reserve University, the Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals of Cleveland and Athersys, Inc. with a $19.5 million award from the State of Ohio as a Wright Center of Innovation. The NHLBI awarded Dr. Jaroslaw Maciejewski, Cleveland Clinic Foundation (CCF), a Center of Excellence in Stem Cell Failure Syndromes.
2004	Drs. Trapp, Macklin and Miller, at CCF and Case, were awarded a National Center of Excellence in Multiple Sclerosis in Stem Cell Research. Arteriocyte, Inc. formed to focus on the use of stem cell technology to increase blood flow with initial focus on cardiovascular applications. AcelleRx spun out from CCF Innovations to use of molecular cues and stem cells to increase myocardial repair after myocardial infarction. Cell Targeting created to use transient molecular markers to direct cell homing. Ohio BioGel began through scaffold and tissue engineering technology for cartilage replacement and visco-supplementation.
2005	Federal Appropriation of $4.5 million for National Center of Regenerative Medicine (NCRM). Ohio Board of Regents funds $1.25 million for Ohio Eminent Scholar for Stem Cell Research. Construction of CCF Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine is completed. FDA compliant Clinical Cell Processing Facility is opened on the Sixth Floor of the Wolstein Building.
2006	Received an additional $8 million award from the State of Ohio. Initiated the Ohio Cell-Based Therapy Consortium to coordinate and pursue multi-institutional clinical trials across the State of Ohio. Opened the Small Animal Imaging Center with access to world-class imaging technologies used in preclinical and clinical studies.
2007	Held Adult Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Regenerative Medicine conference (MSC 2007), an international stem cell meeting which had over 300 attendees from 27 different countries, accepted 100 abstracts and brought together 127 different institutions from around the world. Collaborated with the Great Lakes Science Center to redesign their BioMedTech Exhibit. With the support of the Myelin Repair Foundation, started the Human Neural Assay Center with Dr. Miller. Invenio Therapeutics incorporated to commercialize a new drug to treat leukemia.
2008	Started 2 new adult stem cell clinical trials in heart disease and graft versus host disease. Began RENEW, a consortium-based, internationally coordinated educational, research, and translational program. Began ENGAGE, promotes and supports undergraduate students’ participation in research and creative projects within the field of stem cells and regenerative medicine. Joined Interstate Alliance on Stem Cell Research whose mission is to advance stem cell research (human embryonic, adult, and other) by fostering effective interstate collaboration, by assisting states in developing research programs, and by promoting efficient and responsible use of public funds. Established Cell Therapy Integrated Services (CTIS) to provide support for early phase cell therapy clinical trials utilizing the CSCRM Cell Production Facility and the UHCMC Cell Processing Facility.