Full sponsorship of the phase III trial of UC-MSC infusions to treat severe lung damage in COVID-19 ARDS has been successfully transferred to a corporate entity which will soon begin a large randomized double-blind multi-site trial.
The initial research for the FDA-authorized phase I/IIb trials, designed by Dr. Camillo Ricordi and his team at University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, proved an infusion of umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells improved patient survival and decreased time to recovery in severe cases of COVID-19.
Dr. Ricordi is Director of the Diabetes Research Institute (DRI) and Cell Transplant Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. With the handoff, his team at the DRI can now continue his years-long work with UC-MSCs which preceded COVID-19, in the treatment diabetes, and other diseases.
The Cure Alliance was proud to provide the initial seed support which was then supplemented by generous donors including the North America’s Building Trade Unions (NABTU). Thanks to their support, Dr. Ricordi was able to successfully complete the initial research which was published in Stem Cells Translational Medicine https://doi.org/10.1002/sctm.20-0472
At the start of the Phase I/IIa trial, Shelley Ross, The Cure Alliance president, published a photo art book documenting life in lock-down with our dogs. Scruffy: Our Pandemic Pooches and the Good, the Bad and the Crazy Haircuts We Gave Them, with all book profits earmarked for the research. The book hit #1 on Amazon’s best seller list which prompted appearances on ABC’s Good Morning America, WABC NY, national podcasts and social media.
With new sponsorship in place, future profits from The Scruffy Project will be channeled directly to other underfunded research chosen by The Cure Alliance, a 501(c)(3) non-profit of global research scientists, medical doctors, and those who support our goal to end human suffering by helping advance the cures of chronic, disabling and fatal diseases.