Sino Cell Technologies, Inc., a placental/cord blood (PCB) storage company, recently announced the company's latest achievements in stem cell research.

The company's research in hematopoietic stem cells is at the animal testing stage, with results expected by the middle of this year. Research on mesenchymal and dendritic stem cells will bring results by late June of this year, and is expected to result in technology transfer agreements to the US and Japanese institutes, according to Lee Chau-nan, general manager.

Lee pointed out that the recipe for 'serum-free cultural medium,' a medium for cultivating stem cells developed by Sino Cell, will continue undergoing clinical trials. The company also plans to export the technology; currently interest has been expressed from both US and Japanese companies for this recipe, accoding to Lee.

Lee also remarked that the company had made significant progress in research on mesenchymal stem cell, a type of stem cell with application in the repair of human neural stem cells. With implications in the future treatment of influenza, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, Sino Cell is currently seeking a grant from the Taiwan's National Science Council to further its study into the treatment of these diseases.

Research on dendritic stem cells is being carried out in cooperation with Japan's Jikei University, to develop antibodies that are useful in protecting the immune system. Jikei is carrying phase I clinical trials while Sino Cell will be completing phase II trials back in Taiwan.

- (Biotech East staff)