The Waiting Game for Stem Cell Companies

摘要

One company is working on a treatment for blindness. Another hopes to conquer paralysis in patients with spinal cord injuries. And both are counting on the next U.S. President to bail them out of serious financial difficulties. These two publicly held companies -Advanced Cell Technology (ACT) and Geron-are studying stem cells derived from donated human embryos, and federal funding for research in this area has all but dried up as a result of restrictions imposed by the Bush Administration.rnThe lack of government support has cast a pall over the field of embryonic stem cell research, prompting other investors to stay away. That's making it difficult for the companies to continue their research. "I don't know how much longer we can hang in there," says Dr. Robert Lanza, ACT's chief scientific officer. ACT has shown thatrnembryonic stem cells can restore some sight in rats with degenerative retinal disease, but it has put the project on hold for lack of money. On Sept. 9, ACT closed two offices and began looking for financing partners.