Biotechnology Healthcare - July/August 2008 - (Page 47)

The target, people age 30–70, “shares something in common: the likelihood they may develop a disease that their own stem cells may help them conquer.” insurance. The time required to find a matching donor averages 90 days, and for minorities, it is even longer. Then there is a need for immunosuppressive drugs that cost about $4,000 a year and that, in many cases, are required for the rest of a person’s life. Last, but not least, there is an enormous difference between autologous stem cell therapies and those in which cells from a donor are used in terms of the length and, therefore, the cost of hospitalization. Q: This seems like a hard sell, though. After all, how many people really understand, or believe, in the value of storing stem cells now? For one, there is the money that is involved, not just up front, but annually, correct? And the medical literature isn’t yet definitive. A: As more and more wellcontrolled clinical studies in peerreviewed journals demonstrate the efficacy of cellular therapies in general and autologous cell therapies in particular, it will be easier to educate the public on the benefits of storing one’s own cells. It is an ongoing educational process, but there is, undoubtedly, an increasing awareness of the huge potential of stem cells in regenerative medicine, and an acceptance that collecting stem cells for future autologous use is a safe and relatively simple procedure that takes only a few hours. Q: In this country, many people hear the words stem cells and immediately think of political controversy, and, depending upon their views, they may want to avoid considering such a procedure. How do you avoid getting entangled in the social debate? A: Adult stem cells are, in fact, the solution to the problem, because there is no ethical, moral, religious or political controversy associated with them. The controversial cells are those derived from embryos, and these cells are not only not part of our business, but indeed have not been used for human therapy in this country. All of the therapeutic advances have been based on the use of adult stem cells, and the public is becoming more knowledgeable and sophisticated about the differences between and adult and embryonic stem cells. Yes, stem cell banking is new, but it’s also compelling enough that, when stories are shown on television of people being treated with stem cells, one is going to stop and take notice. And that drives business. We say that the concept of banking your stem cells is not very much different than having your blood stored before surgery. Q: How does this procedure work? What’s involved when a person decides to bank his or her stem cells? Does a person just call a particular facility and make an appointment? Should that person expect to remain out of commission for a day or more? A: The process doesn’t take very long. Cells are collected by a process called apheresis, which involves connecting a person to a machine for a few hours. Blood is drawn, stem cells are then extracted, and all of the other components of the blood are returned. Apheresis is not an experimental procedure — thousands of people undergo this procedure every year when donating blood cells such as platelets. As part of our process, the person would get two injections of filgrastim [Neupogen], which stimulates the bone marrow to send stem cells into the bloodstream. None of this requires hospitalization or anesthesia. You can go back to work the same day. Q: What about side effects such as respiratory problems and bone pain, which are associated with filgrastim? A: There are always potential side effects with medications, but for years, those willing to donate stem cells to strangers have taken filgrastim. It’s given at a low dose and for a short duration. Q: Whom are you targeting for this process? Younger people who may be more open to the concept? Or do you expect older people to sign up, thinking this is akin to the fountain of youth? A: Our target population ranges from 30 to 70 years of age, which is quite a wide range. But they all share something in common: the likelihood that they may develop a disease that their own stem cells may help them conquer. There are people in their 40s or 50s, for instance, who have had heart attacks, and their condition may suggest that eventually they may need a heart transplant. By banking their stem cells, a person can hope to avoid JULY/AUGUST 2008 · BIOTECHNOLOGY HEALTHCARE 47

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Biotechnology Healthcare - July/August 2008

Biotechnology Healthcare - July/August 2008 Openers Contents Editorial/David B. Nash, MD, MBA Drug Track Health Plan Confidential Rheumatoid Arthritis A Decade of Trial, Error, False Starts, and Hope What Path Will Comparative Effectiveness Research Take? RA Therapies in Development: A New Generation of Relief Assessing the Full Impact of RA on Employers and Payers Stem Cells: Health Insurance You Can Bank On Specialty Pharmacy Employer to Employer Personalized Medicine Trends Clinical Briefs

Biotechnology Healthcare - July/August 2008

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