The accompanying table (click to enlarge) includes 40 companies in the ETF Innovators Global Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Index, which represents an expansion of the Emerging Stem Cell Index I have
written about previously. The expanded global index includes companies with market caps less than $1B at the index inception with a total market value of $3,814 as of the close today. As previously, I will track the total market value for a more comprehensive gauge of investor sentiment toward the space.
The index is down 16.2% over the past year on an equal-weight basis, compared to losses of 21.4% for the Healthcare Sector SPDR (XLV), 6.6% for iShares Nasdaq Biotech (IBB), 3.2% for SPDR S&P Biotech (XBI), 17.8% for PowerShares Biotech & Genome (PBE), and 41.4% for the S&P 500 SPDR (SPY).
Below is a profile for each company, including a summary of their business and research focus along with website links.
Intercytex Group PLC (UK: ICX.L) (ICYXF.PK) is a regenerative medicine company which is developing cell-based therapies for commercialization as skin and hair repair + regeneration. The Company is developing VAVELTA in Phase 2 trials for skin damage repair and facial rejuvenation; ICX PRO in a pivotal Phase 3 trial for wound healing; ICX SKN in a Phase 1 trial as a skin graft substitute; and ICX TRC in a Phase 2 trial to regenerate hair for male pattern baldness.
ReNeuron Group PLC (UK: RENE.L) (RNUGF.PK) is a UK-based adult stem cell company which will be conducting clinical studies with lead stem cell therapy candidate (ReN001) for disabled stroke patients. The Company also offers a range of stem cell lines for non-therapeutic applications, including ReNcell products for use in academic and commercial research. The ReNcellCX and ReNcellVM neural cell lines are marketed globally by Millipore (MIL).
Integra LifeSciences (IART) is a medical instrument and surgical implant company with regenerative medicine operations that focus on orthopaedic (bone grafts + regeneration) and dermal (skin regeneration + wound care) applications.
Osiris Therapeutics (OSIR) is an adult stem cell company which is developing product candidates derived from bone marrow. Prochymal is being evaluated in Phase 3 clinical trials for Graft versus Host Disease (GvHD) + Crohn's disease and in earlier stage trials for diabetes and heart attack. Chondrogen is being evaluated in a Phase 1/2 clinical trial for pain/arthritis of the knee.
Geron (GERN) is a human embryonic stem cell (hESC) company which received FDA approval in January 2009 to begin human testing in a Phase 1 clinical trial of GRNOPC1 for the treatment of acute spinal cord injuries.
Orthovita (VITA) develops bio-materials and medical instruments for orthopaedic and spinal surgery applications. The Company offers Vitoss as a synthetic bone graft for injury repair; Vitagel to control bleeding during surgery (derived from a patient's own plasma combined with collagen and thrombin); Imbibe is a family of disposable equipment used to harvest regenerative cells from a patient's bone marrow and to deliver bone grafts; and Cortoss is being evaluated in clinical trials in the U.S. as a bone augmentation bio-material.
Kensey Nash (KNSY) is a medical device maker which is focused on cardiovascular products and bio-materials for orthopaedic applications, including a partnership with Orthovita (VITA) for combinations with the Vitoss bone graft.
Alseres Pharma (ALSE) is a regenerative medicine company focused on developing new treatments for spinal cord injuries (Cethrin – a recombinant protein) and a new molecular imaging diagnostic agent (Altropane) to differentiate Parkinson's disease from other types of tremors.
Stem Cell Sciences (UK: STEM.L) is a supplier of cells and related technology to enable regenerative medicine research specializing in human embryonic and mouse neural stem cells.
Stem Cell Authority (SCAL.PK) provides cell banking and preservation services for a newborn's Mirachymal (mesenchymal – develop into muscle, bone, and other connective tissues) and Hematopoietic (develop into blood cells and components) stem cells, derived from inside the umbilical cord and within the cord blood.
Stem Cell Therapy International (SCII.OB) is a regenerative medicine company which focuses on stem cell transplants and biological solutions.
EpiStem (UK: EHP.L) is an epithelial stem cell company focused on gastrointestinal disorders, oncology, and dermatology applications. The Company also provides preclinical contract research services and is not involved with embryonic stem cells or stem cell transplants.
MediStem (MEDS.PK) is an adult stem cell company focused on endometrial regenerative cells (ERC), which specialize in generating new blood vessels (angiogenesis).