Burnham's John Reed, Influence and a CIRM Grant Denial

In an apparent violation of a state conflict of interest policy, an influential director of the California stem cell agency earlier this year attempted to overturn a decision by the agency's staff that ultimately resulted in the loss of a $638,000 grant to his research institution.

John Reed, president of the Burnham Institute of La Jolla, Ca., on Aug. 2 wrote a 6 ½ page letter to the agency staff, warning that denial of the grant would set a "dangerous precedent" that would impair the mission of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM). The letter came about as the result of a suggestion by chairman of the institute, Robert Klein.

The California Stem Cell Report (CSCR) obtained a copy of the letter from Reed (see photo) from CIRM after filing a request under the state's public records act for documents relating to the Burnham grant.

In response to questions from CSCR, Richard Murphy, interim president of CIRM, said,

"Dr. Reed called the chairman to ask how to deal with what Burnham saw as technical mistakes in CIRM’s interpretation of the application. The chairman, not knowing enough about the technical details or whether mistakes had been made, suggested that Dr. Reed write a letter to the science team, which was knowledgeable about the issues."

Murphy also said,

"After CIRM received the letter, Dr. Reed was informed that he must refrain from participating in any way in CIRM's consideration of the Burnham grant."

John M. Simpson, stem cell project director for the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights of Santa Monica, Ca., called for Reed's resignation, declaring that he would file a formal complaint with the state Fair Political Practices Commission, which deals with conflict-of-interest violations.

Simpson, a longtime observer and participant in CIRM proceedings,said, "The law is clear....John Reed flouted the law." He continued, "When you hand out millions of dollars in public money, you have to play by the rules."

Asked whether CIRM contemplated any action regarding Reed, Murphy replied, "Dr. Reed now fully understands the conflict rules. CIRM does not intend to take any further action regarding this matter."

Klein did not respond to an email asking about his role in the Reed letter. Reed also did not respond to questions emailed to him.

Reed presides over a nonprofit research institution that has received $17 million in CIRM grants and that has an annual budget of $87 million. According to Burnham's web site, it has 750 employees and ranks 5th in the nation in NIH funding among private research institutions.

CIRM's policy on conflict of interest states:

"Members of the ICOC shall not make, participate in making, or in any way attempt to use their official position to influence a decision regarding a grant, loan, or contract with their employer.

"Members of the ICOC shall not make, participate in making or in any way attempt to use their official position to influence a decision regarding a grant, loan, or contract that financially benefits the member or the entity he or she represents."

The application for the grant in question came from David Smotrich, an adjunct professor at Burnham and founder of the La Jolla IVF clinic. The grant was highly rated by scientific reviewers, who examined it behind closed doors and made the initial decision to fund it. Their findings then went to the Oversight Committee for final action last February during a public meeting. The application was considered at that time under the board's normal procedures. The names of the applicant and institution were withheld from the public and the Oversight Committee. Reed was barred from voting and taking part in the discussion, but that fact was not known to the public at the time.

Following Oversight Committee approval, the Smotrich application and all other approved grants were scrutinized administratively to assure that they complied with terms for the grants. CIRM staffers did not question the science or the credentials of the researcher. But they indicated as early as Feb. 24, according to CIRM documents, that there were problems with the eligibility of Smotrich. The issues involved whether he was a fulltime faculty member at Burnham, was located on the Burnham site and whether he had his own dedicated lab at Burnham.

The exchange between CIRM and Burnham about Smotrich went on for seven months. The letter from Reed came just as CIRM staff was planning to announce the grant denial at the Oversight Committee meeting early in August.

He said in his "appeal" letter to Arlene Chiu, then the top scientist at CIRM, that Smotrich "rightfully deserves" the grant. He devoted the bulk of his letter to Smotrich's credentials and his research, which included an "embryo rescue program" that would salvage leftover embryos from IVF that would otherwise be discarded.

Reed wrote:

"I also wish to emphasize the potentially damaging consequences that a decision not to recognize Dr. Smotrich's legitimacy as a faculty member may have on clinician investigations, as it will surely discourage clinical researchers from participating in the CIRM mission to advance stem cell therapies. Finally, the particular grant recommended for funding is of great strategic importance to the entire CIRM effort, and therefore we urge CIRM staff to take this into consideration."

Referring to the "embryo rescue program," Reed said,

"This is a unique resource not found anywhere else in the entire state and the only source currently available in California for deriving new hESC lines with the goal to share these freely with the entire CIRM research community to advance the fundamental goals of CIRM. Thus, to abandon the grant on perceived technical grounds flies in the face of the mission of CIRM."

Reed added that denial of the grant "sets a dangerous precedent that adversely affects all clinician-scientists, most of whom will have a significant component of their time devoted to clinical activity and whom will often by supported by non-academic sources."

On Aug. 27, Tamar Pachter, CIRM general counsel, wrote Burnham concerning Reed's Aug. 2 letter. She said his request to appeal the staff decision was rejected because no right of appeal existed for administrative findings. She said the decision did not involve the merits of the research or Smotrich's credentials.

She wrote,

"To be fair to all the applicants (as well as potential applicants who self-selected out of the applications process because they could not meet the eligibility requirements of the RFA), and to carry out its duties as a state agency with integrity, CIRM must consistently enforce eligibility requirements."

Burnham was offered an opportunity to withdraw the application but refused to do so. The decision not to fund the grant was announced late in the day in the waning minutes of the October meeting of the Oversight Committee, a move controlled by Klein in his role as chairman.

The CIRM news release the next day on the meeting did not identify Burnham as losing the grant, a decision made by Murphy, who overruled a recommendation by then chief communications officer Dale Carlson. (Prior to his appointment at CIRM, Murphy was president of the Salk Institute, another medical research organization in La Jolla.)

Carlson had submitted the draft release to Murphy for approval. Its next to last sentence said that the grant to Burnham had been denied. In an email exchange on the evening of Oct. 3 (the day of the Oversight meeting), Murphy said he did not want to mention the Burnham grant.

Carlson then emailed Murphy that the Burnham case and another grant that was withdrawn demonstrated the rigor of staff review and showed that the agency was a good steward of public funds. He wrote:

"Putting out a release in the morning that fails to note these items in light of the press coverage they'll be receiving, would seem like we're being protective and/or inexplicably secretive. Better to include the news at the bottom of the release. It shows we think the items that appear first are more important, but these are at least worth noting."

Murphy then replied to Carlson,

"From CIRM's point of view, you're right. It makes us look meticulous, as we are. But I hate to build our reputation for quality on the carcass of another institution, which no doubt will be embarrassed by the coverage. John Reed will be under fire from his board and donors for allowing this to happen, and we don't want to pile on. Let Burnham handle it anyway they want, but I don't think we suffer by remaining silent. If it hits the fan, I'll take the rap by saying truthfully that it was a technical decision, the science was great, but rules are rules. We did what we had to, and we look forward to their resubmission.

"Thanks for caring so much, but there's a balance on this one, and I think we serve the community kland CIRM best by minimizing the issue and remaining silent."

(Below is the full text of Murphy's response to questions from the California Stem Cell Report.)

(Editor's note: An earlier version of this said that news release following the Oct. 3 Oversight Committee did not contain any mention of the Burnham grant. The news release said a grant had been denied but did not identify Burnham.)

Text of CIRM Response on Reed Letter

Here are the questions that the California Stem Cell Report submitted to Richard Murphy, interim president of CIRM, concerning the Aug. 2 letter by John Reed, president of the Burnham Institute and a member of the CIRM Oversight Committee, and Murphy's verbatim response.

CSCR: Have Oversight Committee members been told that they cannot intervene for or against applicants either before or after ICOC action on applications?

Murphy: "Yes. Members of the ICOC are required to take the Attorney General's on-line ethics course, which includes information regarding the prohibition against participating in a decision in which a person has a financial interest. In addition, the Attorney General's Office made an ethics presentation to the Board in 2005 and CIRM's outside counsel made an ethics presentation to the Board in April 2007."

CSCR: Have any other directors besides Reed intervened?
Murphy: "No.".

CSCR: Was Reed at any time told, either verbally or in writing or any other way, that his letter was inappropriate or improper or may have violated conflict of interest laws.

Murphy: "After CIRM received the letter, Dr. Reed was informed that he must refrain from participating in any way in CIRM's consideration of the Burnham grant. In addition, CIRM staff did not consider the letter in conducting their administrative review of the Burnham grant."

CSCR: Did the ICOC or any committee of the ICOC discuss Reed's action or letter at any point?

Murphy: "Neither the ICOC nor any of its subcommittees received or discussed Dr. Reed's letter."

CSCR: Did any CIRM staff or member of the Oversight Committee or the chairman suggest to Reed that he should write his Aug. 2 letter concerning the Smotrich grant?

Murphy: "Dr. Reed called the Chairman(Robert Klein) to ask how to deal with what Burnham saw as technical mistakes in CIRM’s interpretation of the application. The Chairman, not knowing enough about the technical details or whether mistakes had been made, suggested that Dr. Reed write a letter to the science team, which was knowledgeable about the issues."

CSCR: Does CIRM or the ICOC contemplate any refresher sessions on ethics or conflict of interest for ICOC members? Have such briefings already occurred in 2007?

Murphy: "Yes, in addition to the Attorney General's on-line course, which members are required to take every two years, the Board has received two oral briefings on conflict of interest issues, including in April 2007. The Board will continue to receive periodic ethics training to ensure that members are familiar with the rules."

CSCR: Burnham was told that the denial of the grant would be announced at the ICOC meeting in August. Why did that not happen?

Murphy: "CIRM did not announce in August because Burnham had appealed the determination, and that issue was not resolved before the ICOC meeting in August."

CSCR: Re your note on the press release on the October ICOC meeting and your concerns about how the Burnham institute might feel concerning the Smotrich matter, do you think this was a case where
you put Burnham's interests ahead of CIRM's. Isn't the integrity of CIRM more important than Burnham's or Reed's reputations?

Murphy: "CIRM's action in rejecting the Burnham grant speaks for itself. CIRM staff conducted themselves with the highest degree of professionalism and integrity and informed the Board of their decision at a public meeting in San Diego. Given the public discussion of this issue, I saw no need to include it in a press release following the meeting. My decision was indeed made to be supportive of Burnham, but it in no way compromised CIRM’s integrity or interests."

CSCR: I can only find a link to ICOC conflict of interest policies on the CIRM web site. Were the policies codified into regulations and officially issued as such?

Murphy: "As required by the Political Reform Act, the ICOC adopted a conflict of interest code that applies to members and CIRM staff. In addition, the ICOC voluntarily adopted a conflict of interest policy for its members that goes beyond the requirements of state law. Unlike the conflict of interest code, the policy was not codified into regulations."

Murphy: Does CIRM or the Oversight Committee contemplate any action in connection with Reed's letter?

Murphy: "It is important to remember that Dr. Reed sent his letter after the ICOC had approved the grant, which received the second highest score from a group of out-of-state scientists on the Grants Working Group. At the time, Dr. Reed mistakenly believed that conflict rules would not prevent him from providing technical information regarding the status of a faculty member to CIRM staff. As soon as CIRM staff received the letter, counsel advised Dr. Reed that he must refrain from contacting the staff and board members regarding a grant to the Burnham and advised staff to disregard Dr. Reed's letter. It therefore had no effect on CIRM's process, and Dr. Reed now fully understands the conflict rules. CIRM does not intend to take any further action regarding this matter."

CSCR: If there is other material that you think would help provide insight into this matter, please send it along as well.

Murphy: "None."

Financial Scrutiny of CIRM Coming Up Next Week

The Citizens Financial Accountability Oversight Committee may be one of the more obscure entities in state government. It has only been around for three years. It has only met once. And it already has had a 66.6 per cent turnover in membership.

The group will meet again next Tuesday in San Francisco to consider the doings of the $3 billion California stem cell agency. And it will have plenty to chew on – everything from intellectual property to a 101-page analysis of CIRM by the Bureau of State Audits.

But few surprises are expected. This is a friendly group, created by Proposition 71 and chaired by state Controller John Chiang(see photo), who once brought one of his children to a meeting of the CIRM Oversight Committee in Los Angeles. However, the committee is charged with reviewing CIRM's financial practices and performance, which gives it plenty of leeway to make constructive criticism. Perhaps even recommending public disclosure of the economic interests of grant reviewers who conduct their activities behind closed doors, or at least seeking an opinion from the state attorney general on disclosure, as suggested by the state auditor.

Or the committee could recommend disclosure of the names of the universities and nonprofit research institutions that are seeking $227 million in taxpayer funds to build stem cell labs – names which CIRM has refused to reveal on the grounds that they might be embarrassed.

The group apparently has two new members, Gurbinder Sadana and Loren Lipson. Sadana is a private physician in Pomona, Ca., and serves on the board of directors of the Pomona Valley Hospital. Lipson was recently appointed, and no information was available concerning him/her on the state controller's web site.

One of the new appointees replaces John Hein, who was a lobbyist for the California Teachers Association. The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights challenged his appointment as illegal because he did not meet the legal qualifications. Also off the board is Richard Siegal, who runs his own oil exploration company and has given widely to health care issues. No reasons for their departure were available on the controller's web site.

Chiang is also new to the board. The other members of the committee are Daniel Brunner, a retired attorney from the Sacramento area who co-founded Affordable Health Care Concepts in Sacramento; Jim Lott, executive vice president of the Hospital Association of Southern California, and Myrtle Potter, a former vice president of Genentech who now is involved in commercial and residential real estate development. Potter was named as woman of the year in 2006 by the American Diabetes Association and serves on the board of directors of Amazon.com.

One of items on the agenda is a proposal for a conflict of interest code, which was not available on the controller's web site at the time of this writing.

You can find the agenda and other information on the committee here.

Text of Monash Statement

Here is the text of the statement from Monash University concerning the stem cell research investigation that was linked to Alan Trounson, incoming president of the California stem cell agency. The statement was provided by Jeff Sheehy, a member of the agency's Oversight Committee.

STATEMENT OF THE VICE-CHANCELLOR RELATING
TO AUSTRALIAN STEM CELL CENTRE (ASCC) RESPIRATORY PROJECT P028

1.On 28 February 2007 the Project Agreement for ASCC Respiratory Project P028 lapsed and was not extended. Monash and the ASCC agreed to allow funding for the Project to lapse.
2.The component of the Project with results which were questioned was the “COPD Extension Research Project” funded by the ASCC from March 1, 2006 to February 28, 2007.
3.The central hypothesis of the Project was that smoking induced lung damage can be reversed or improved by the infusion of mesenchymal stem cells.
4.In February 2007 the ASCC reported to the University some concerns about the respiratory project led by Professor Alan Trounson, specifically the following issues:
The potential lack of good research practice during the project,
The potential misrepresentation of results and failure to inform the ASCC of specific data arising from the project.
5.Following its independent enquiries, the University established a Preliminary Investigation Committee in April 2007 in order to investigate the concerns raised by the ASCC in accordance with University policies for dealing with matters of possible research misconduct. These policies are based on and compliant with The Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research issues by the NH&MRC, ARC and Universities Australia.
6.The Preliminary Investigation Committee has recently reported its findings of fact to me in a confidential report. I have accepted those findings and have determined (based on the Committee’s findings) that research misconduct by the senior research fellow responsible for the conduct of the Project in Professor Trounson’s laboratory had occurred and that there were mitigating circumstances.
7.Specifically, the Committee found that the senior research fellow engaged in conduct that was negligent and that seriously deviated from accepted standards within the scientific and scholarly community for conducting and reporting research. This conduct consisted of:
negligent recording of research data and recording of analysis of research data by the senior researcher;
negligently inaccurate preparation of reports and presentations of research results provided to the ASCC;
negligently failing to report results in a timely fashion to the ASCC (including results that might have been regarded as counter-hypothesis).
The Committee made no finding that the negligent conduct was fraudulent or designed to deceive.
The senior research fellow has admitted that his recording of data was negligent but indicated that in many cases the primary data for many of the experiments were recorded in other laboratories since many assays were “outsourced”.
8.The Committee also found that there were mitigating circumstances in that the senior research fellow, who had been delegated responsibility by the Project Leader, was inexperienced in managing a research project of the type and size of the Project and managing the number of researchers and students he had to supervise.
9.Professor Alan Trounson was the Project Leader, supervisor of the senior research fellow and chief investigator, of the Project. No allegations of research misconduct have been made in relation to Professor Trounson
10.The University has or will take the following actions:
(a)counsel the senior research fellow who is no longer employed at Monash University that the standards of record keeping and reporting were inadequate;
(b)appoint a research mentor for the senior research fellow to ensure that deficiencies in performance in these areas are appropriately remedied;
(c)enter into discussions with the ASCC to establish what funds the University ought properly to repay to the ASCC in relation to the Project;
(d)instigate a review of University procedures relating to the conduct and supervision of research and ensure appropriate steps are taken to prevent a recurrence of the events that occurred in relation to the Project.
It should be noted that it was considered that the senior research fellow has accepted that the negligence and carelessness exhibited are unacceptable and has shown remorse for his conduct.
11.No material from the Project has been published, or used to obtain further grant funding, the Research Project has lapsed.
12.On the basis of the above, the matter is now concluded.

Professor Richard Larkins
Vice-Chancellor
Monash University

Australian Stem Cell Inquiry Linked to Trounson Concluded

Monash University has apparently reached a conclusion in its investigation into $1 million stem cell research project headed by Alan Trounson, the incoming president of the California stem cell agency.

Trounson was not under investigation, although a researcher who worked under him was.

Here is what the Sydney Morning Herald said:

"A Monash University investigation into an abandoned million-dollar stem cell research project, headed by world renowned Melbourne scientist Alan Trounson, has found data and reports were handled negligently.

"The investigation committee made no finding that the negligent conduct by an unnamed research fellow working under Professor Trounson was fraudulent or designed to deceive."

The newspaper continued:

"In a statement on Friday, Monash Vice-Chancellor Professor Richard Larkins said there were mitigating circumstances leading to the negligence by the senior research fellow.

"The review found that the senior research team member was inexperienced in managing a project of the type and size undertaken and inexperienced in supervising the number of researchers and students he had in his charge.

"It said his work included negligent recording of research data, negligent inaccurate preparation of reports and presentations of research results to the ASCC, and negligently failing to report results in a timely fashion."

The Herald-Sun reported:

"In a statement issued this afternoon by Vice-Chancellor Richard Larkins, a committee investigating the matter found "that the senior research fellow engaged in conduct that was negligent and seriously deviated from accepted standards within the scientific and scholarly community for conducting and reporting research".

John M. Simpson, stem cell project director for the Foundation for Taxpaper and Consumer Rights, had this comment.

"I've not yet read the investigators' report; only Australian news accounts.

"It appears that while Alan Trounson was not implicated in any wrongdoing, the research abuse happened on his watch, done by someone he had hired.

"The incident demonstrates once again the need for strict oversight and adherence to guidelines when public money finances research. Complete openness and transparency are the guarantor of good practices.

"I expect Dr. Trounson has learned from the Monash University incident and will bring an even greater commitment to those essential values in his new position as president of the California Institute for Regenerative
Medicine."

Looking Behind the WARF Stem Cell Patent Challenge

The California scientist behind the challenge to the WARF stem cell patents says scientists have an obligation to be sure that research "can benefit the society that supports it."

Jeanne Loring, director of the Center for Regenerative Medicine at the Scripps Research Institute, made the remark in a recent piece on "Nature Reports: Stem Cells."

Loring wrote about the history behind the challenge to the patents and her motivation. The piece also carries remarks from WARF.

Here are a couple of excerpts:

"We were surprised when WARF responded (to the challenge) with a press release saying, correctly, that I and the other scientists also have patents. This isn't relevant to the validity of the WARF patents, and seems to be an attempt to undermine our credibility. Our patents, like (Jamie) Thomson's, are assigned to companies or to our universities, and we have little control over how they are enforced. We are not challenging Thomson; we're challenging the patent owner, WARF."

Loring continued:

"I do not get paid for our work on this challenge. I did not set out to become an expert in patent law, and it is still very much outside my comfort zone. I'd rather be spending my time learning more about the molecular interactions that make human ES cells pluripotent. But the spirit of scientific inquiry often requires us to venture beyond our areas of expertise, and I think that scientists have an obligation not only to perform research but to make sure that our research can benefit the society that supports it."

Scientific Criticism and Libel Update

The next proceeding in the Flamm-Cha libel lawsuit will be Nov. 20 in Los Angeles Superior Court. The case involves Bruce Flamm, a Riverside, Ca., physician and stem cell researcher Kwang Yul Cha.

Earlier this month, Cha failed to override an anti-SLAPP motion by Flamm. For more on this, see our item here.

Celebrity Leeza Gibbons Named as CIRM Director

The latest addition to the board of directors of the $3 billion California stem cell agency is former television talk show hostess, Leeza Gibbons.

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger Wednesday announced the appointment of Gibbons(shown in photo). She fills the post formerly held by scientist Leon Thal, who died in a plane crash last February. Gibbons fills a slot designated for a patient advocate for Alzheimers as the result of her nonprofit group, Leeza's Place, which is aimed at caregivers for persons with memory disorders.

Gibbons' celebrity status attracted more news coverage than the usual appointments to the CIRM Oversight Committee, which are almost invisible in the media. She co-hosted "Entertainment Tonight" from 1994 to 2000. This year, she appeared on the "Dancing with Stars" TV show, part of the so-called reality genre. She appeared in at least one movie, "Last Action Hero(1993)," with Schwarzenegger.

Gibbons may be the only member of the Oversight Committee with a personal web page and public blog, which can be found on her web site. However, she is not the only Hollywood figure to serve on the 29-member panel. Sherry Lansing, a former top film executive, has a seat on the board. Jonathan Shestack, a Hollywood producer, also is a member.

Gibbons' efforts with memory disorders grew out of her own family's experience with her mother, according to her web page.

The Leeza's Place site says,

"Developed in response to the challenges Leeza and her family encountered while seeking specific and needed support, Leeza's Place is a potent source of information, strength and purpose. Nestled within your own community, Leeza's Place is a multifaceted reprieve, for both caregivers and the recently diagnosed, that integrates educational programs, connective social activities, emotional support, and intergenerational programming designed to help you navigate through your community's continuum of care."

The site also sells books and information on dementia, such as "Brain Longevity" by Dharma Singh Khalsa and "scrapbooking" software, which is aimed at preserving memories. Also offered are a "memories forever" bracelet and a "comfort and care" candle.

The governor, whose motto is "action, action, action," left Thal's position vacant for nine months despite a provision in state law that requires Oversight Committee vacancies to be filled within 30 days. However, it is not uncommon in state government for such provisions to be ignored.

One vacancy now exists on the Oversight Committee: the slot occupied by Brian Henderson, dean of the USC School of Medicine. Henderson has retired from USC, which makes him ineligible to serve. Filling that vacancy is also the responsibility of the governor. Look for Henderson's replacement in nine months.

Excessive Haste on $300,000 Stem Cell PR Contract

The California stem cell agency's plan to hire a public relations firm for $300,000 is a case of misplaced priorities.

It is quite clear that CIRM needs to move swiftly on its communications needs, particularly in light of the emphasis placed on public education by both its interim and incoming presidents.

But first CIRM needs to find a permanent chief communications officer. Otherwise, the agency will be signing a major contract without consulting the person who will have responsibility for overseeing it. Premature selection of a PR firm, in fact, could hinder the hiring of a top-notch person, who might look askance at the choice or at the management that chooses to take such precipitous action.

CIRM will be issuing the contract without what amounts to very necessary "peer review." And that is the kind of scrutiny that a skilled communications professional would give any prospective PR firm.

Some also question the need for a PR firm, period. One is John M. Simpson, stem cell project director for the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, who argues for a minimalist approach.

Simpson, who is a practitioner of the fine art of PR, among other things, told the California Stem Cell Report in part (his full comments are carried in the item below),

"People who hire PR firms are more interested in image than in substance. The way you get good media relations is simple: Do good work in an open way and answer all questions candidly.

"CIRM needs a committed and knowledgeable communications officer and an assistant completely familiar with all CIRM and ICOC activities. With the current downsizing in the news business many such talented people are available."

However, we do not believe that CIRM can fulfill its major communications responsibilities with two persons. CIRM is limited by law to no more than 50 employees; it now has about 26. Given the limit, a good communications firm would be necessary to execute the agency's ambitious public education plans outlined in the strategic plan. Without outside help, it would require a personnel commitment that probably is beyond CIRM.

And the outside help should be picked under the direction of CIRM's own communications expert, which is what that person is hired to do..

CIRM has gone through two PR firms and two staff PR persons in its short history. The largest contract $378,000) went to Edelman PR and generated some dissatisfaction at CIRM, which is at least partial evidence that the agency needs expert help in picking a new firm.

Regardless, any contract will generate negative attention. Reporters and editors in the mainstream media have a jaundiced view of highly paid PR firms. Too often they fail to serve either their masters or the media well.

(Here is a link to the request for bids on the contract, which are due Nov. 30. The request says that the contract could be awarded prior to end of the year.)

FTCR on $300,000 PR Plan

Here is what John M. Simpson, stem cell project director for the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, had to say about the CIRM's $300,000 plan to hire a public relations firm, perhaps before the beginning of the year.

"People who hire PR firms are more interested in image than in substance. The way you get good media relations is simple: Do good work in an open way and answer all questions candidly.

"CIRM needs a committed and knowledgeable communications officer and an assistant completely familiar with all CIRM and ICOC activities. With the current downsizing in the news business many such talented people are available.

"In a rare case, perhaps for a specific large task, under the close direction and supervision of the CIRM communications officer, there might be a benefit from an outside consultant.

"It's absolutely essential that the communications officer play the key role in hiring any communications consultants. Consider it peer review – the scientists should understand that concept.

"CIRM should put a top priority on hiring a communications officer."

"Instead, what the RFP calls for won't facilitate communication with the media. It will hinder it and irritate the working press.

"CIRM will end up wasting $300,000 of taxpayer money and the ICOC will be wondering why they are unhappy with the news coverage they get."

Fresh Comment

Mark Braly has posted a comment on the item below.

CIRM: An Evaluation at Age Three

The Sacramento Bee this morning carried an evaluation of the performance of the California stem cell agency, which is three years old this month.

Produced by this writer, the opinion piece said, among other things,

"By many measures, the institute is a huge success. Its impact stretches well beyond state boundaries and has stimulated the growth of similar research efforts in six other states and excitement in even more. The agency has established what are widely regarded as the toughest research and ethical standards for embryonic stem cell research in the nation. It has pioneered development of revenue sharing requirements that will come into play if successful medical therapies are created.

"But by other standards, including its own strategic plan, the institute doesn't measure up. The money is not flowing as fast as called for. Rosy campaign promises of cures and an economic boom still await fulfillment. Built-in conflicts of interests pervade the institute's activities. A penchant for closed-door grant reviews and secrecy screens much of the institute's most important decisions from public view. And, more than once, calls have arisen for the resignation of its chairman, Robert Klein, a man who triggers both admiration and animosity."

Given the space constraints of print media, condensation required the omission of much more that could be said, both pro and con. To provide a more comprehensive picture, we are carrying below a statement by California stem cell chairman Robert Klein and comments from CIRM's chief communications officer, Dale Carlson, prior to his departure from the agency.

Also useful are the following items: CIRM's strategic plan, the California state auditor's report on CIRM, a report by the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, a report and update by the Center for Genetics and Society and remarks by interim CIRM president Richard Murphy from the transcript (pages 16-25) of the October Oversight Committee meeting

Your comments are invited as well. You can post them directly by clicking on the word "comments" at the end of this item. We prefer that you use your name when commenting, but remarks can be posted anonymously, protected from disclosure to even this writer by the provider (Google) of this web site. Or you can send your comments directly to me: djensen@californiastemcellreport.com.

Text of Statement from Robert Klein

As part of the reporting for the Nov. 11 article in The Bee, we asked Robert Klein, chairman of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, for a statement on the accomplishments and challenges facing the agency. Here is the text of what he provided.

"For families suffering from chronic disease or injury, Proposition 71 has brought hope; for medical scientists who have dedicated their lives to reducing human suffering, it has been an inspiration; and for patient organizations, it has created a model for a paradigm change in the structure, scope and term of medical research funding in America. To date, approximately $210 million in grants have been approved by the governing board after a competitive, scientific peer review process, and another $300 million is in process. All elements of the court system in California, including the Supreme Court, have exhaustively reviewed this grant making system, the medical and ethical standards, the conflicts policies and the constitutional authority of the governing board and the agency and the Supreme Court has found all of the initiative’s aspects to be constitutional and operated through the agency and the board in a manner completely consistent with the statutory intent and all state laws.

"California has become the largest funding agency in the world for embryonic stem cell research, creating history in funding medical research, as the intellectual health care capital of the society, with long-term state bonds. The great universities, research hospitals, and research institutions of California have recruited world class scientists and clinicians to lead and inspire the medical research programs of California. At the funding agency itself, Dr. Richard Murphy, the former President of the Salk Institute, is building an extraordinary scientific organization and Dr. Alan Trounson, a global leader in stem cell research, will assume the Presidency by the end of this year.

"Globally, California’s performance under Proposition 71 has earned the state agency a world class leadership position, with California serving as a member of the International Stem Cell Forum on an equal membership standing with 19 member nations. Within the United States, California’s grant approvals in 2007 alone are approximately seven times the funding by the National Institutes of Health for embryonic stem cell research. California’s medical and ethical research standards, drawn up in collaboration with the National Academy of Sciences, have become an international model and the new “gold standard” for our nation, with the state of Illinois adopting them in their entirety just four months ago.


"Challenges

"Proposition 71, its governing board, and the funding agency created by Prop 71 face a number of immediate challenges as the momentum of stem cell medical research funding increases.

"First, its preliminary strategic plan must be examined and strengthened as the new President of the agency, Dr. Alan Trounson, brings global scientific credentials and insights to broaden the strategic path while closing research gaps in the plan like immunology, which is so critical to implementing stem cell replacement therapies for Parkinson’s, HIV/AIDS, diabetes and heart disease. As another example, strategic initiatives in immunology might broaden the feasible applications of existing adult stem cell therapies, by utilizing embryonic stem cells as a source of immune tolerance cell transplants. Adult stem cell therapies have raised survival rates for patients with leukemia or multiple myeloma (a bone cancer) from six percent to the 70% plus range; but, these therapies currently only reach the 40% of patient candidates for whom a sufficient immune system match can be found. By strategically focusing on immunology challenges to expand the reach of adult stem cell therapies, more lives may be saved when scientific breakthroughs in immunology are combined with the immune tolerance of embryonic stem cells and/or the possibility of immune system matches through SCNT (immune matched stem cells) breakthroughs.

"Second, stretching the resources approved by the voters - to fund more grants (over time) – by creating a revolving loan fund (to compliment the grant program) could have a dramatic impact on the range of therapeutic advances the agency can fund. The board has just begun phase two of the financial plan by studying how to implement the loan provisions of the initiative. A basic model of revolving seven year loans, as a substitute for some grants when dealing with the private sector, will be investigated over the next year. Potentially, a loan program could recycle over $1.5 billion – in the first 15-17 years of the agency’s life – bringing the total effective resources to fund medical research up to $4.5 billion.

"Third, the board and the agency need to launch a major public information program, including a specific focus on the upcoming human embryonic stem cell clinical trials. These clinical trials, over time, bring the possibility of remarkable medical advancement, but they also bring the potential for initial tragedies, despite the best safety procedures. Even with the benefit of extensive animal, pre-clinical trials, setbacks may occur – particularly given the broad spectrum of therapies and chronic disease challenges. The patients will have independent medical doctors advising them, along with family and friends; but, pre-clinical animal trials are not completely predictive of human outcomes. We must respect each patient’s decision to take “managed and reasonable” risks that may redeem their futures or save their lives. Medical therapies for the patients in the trials and all future generations are dependent upon the courage of individual patients, if medicine is to advance. With a deep reverence for life, we must inform the California public and every patient about these risks and build the patience and understanding that will be critical elements of medical research risk tolerance, if we are to secure the path to therapeutic success, which will involve many attempts and many 'trials.'"

Text of CIRM Statement

Earlier this year, we asked Dale Carlson, then CIRM's chief communications officer, for a perspective on the performance of the California stem cell agency. Here is the text of what he provided.

"The early history of CIRM is remarkable on a number of points, particularly given constraints on our budget and staff imposed by the delay in issuing bonds.

"The project is innovative from its inception: no one has ever funded scientific research with debt financing. Governments float bonds for public capital projects routinely – for roads, schools, prisons, libraries, water storage and transport, and other physical infrastructure needs – but never before for the development of intellectual capital until California voters approved Proposition 71. Similar bond programs are now proposed in New York, Texas, Massachusetts, and New Jersey, and have been considered by states in Australia. I don’t offer that as an example of something CIRM has ‘done right,’ but to establish as background the fact that everything we’ve done since is new, untried, and uncharted.

"The CIRM Scientific Strategic Plan specifies clear objectives and funding initiatives for 10 years. The fact that we have a 10-year plan is remarkable. I know of no other government agency (or public company for that matter) that’s ever developed such a far-sighted blueprint for its activities. It sets specific goals and benchmarks so the public can measure our progress. It lays out a detailed course of action for the six months and three years following its adoption. It does not dwell on generalities, as is common in strategic plans for public agencies. We were lauded for being realistic in our goals and for the open, public process used to draft that document, including the scientific meeting held in 2005 to assess the state of stem cell research globally.

"Our medical and ethical standards for research go beyond any in place or recommended by other scientific funding organizations. In at least one case, they’ve been adopted wholesale by another state.

"Our intellectual property policy for non-profits and the for-profit policy currently in development go beyond those of other private and public funding agencies. Again, some believe our requirements go too far, some not far enough. And again, this is another instance where we’re largely working without benefit of a successful model in place at the federal or state level.

"We’ve issued four RFAs, reviewed more than 350 applications, and brought recommendations to our governing board. In each instance, the time from RFA concept approval to grant approval has been far shorter than researchers have seen from other agencies. (Have I mentioned that we have limited staff for this work?) To date, 136 grants totaling more than $208 million have been awarded or approved at 23 institutions.

"We commissioned the Institute of Medicine to hold a conference on the risks to women who donate oocytes, the first meeting ever held on this subject.

"The Institute’s global leadership is well-recognized, even before awarding significant research funds. We forged strong relations with foreign countries and international organizations of stem cell researchers. We were the only state invited to join these organizations. The International Stem Cell Forum will hold its annual meeting next year in California, after considering offers to host the session from Israel and China.

"Few have any experience organizing a new government agency from scratch, let alone one devoted to such a novel concept. We’ve struggled at times with the challenges and requirements that presents, and we’ve not always made the right decisions when first faced with a decision or dilemma. Where we’ve erred or fallen short, we’ve quickly changed course in favor of a better approach. The Bureau of State Audits report is a good example of that pattern. If the BSA found a problem in our policies or practices, we made no attempt to defend or justify our conduct. We simply said, “You’re right. We’ll fix it.” And we have, in most instances.

"Some do not believe the Institute operates with sufficient regard for public participation or scrutiny, particularly where the review of grant applications is involved. Without revisiting the extensive discussions we’ve had with our critics on these points, it’s clear the CIRM is more open, solicitous, and responsive to the public than any other agency – private or public – engaged in research funding. The conflict of interest policy we follow for grant reviewers exceeds the requirements in place at NIH and elsewhere."

Proposed Lab Grant Review Procedures Posted

The California stem cell agency has posted more information on its proposed procedures for the facilities group review of applications for $227 million in grants for construction of stem cell research labs.

You can see the 18-page Power Point presentation here. The San Francisco meeting to consider them is Nov. 15.

CIRM Rules for Grants to Businesses

The California stem cell agency is going to take a whack Nov. 16 at how it proposes to run its program for research grants to busineses, ranging from ethics to allowable expenses to sharing of biomedical materials.

Biotech businesses have plenty to chew on in the 47 pages of proposed policies that have been released in a nicely timely fashion. No excuses if they don't weigh in now.

The actual occasion is an "interested parties" meeting at sites in San Francisco and San Diego that will be linked telephonically. Here is an Internet link to the meeting notice, which includes a separate link to the 47 pages.

The Big Oil-Stem Cell Interface

The peripatetic John M. Simpson is a man of many parts.

As stem cell project director for the Foundation of Taxpayer and Consumer Rights of Santa Monica, Ca., he has followed the affairs of the California stem cell agency, a task that has kept him busy for more than two years. But on other occasions, his work for the foundation calls him to different venues.

Recently he was in downtown Los Angeles at an appearance of the chief executive officer of Chevron Oil. Simpson's job? Bestow the Golden Nozzle award on the chairman. Here is a link to a video that tells all.

More Details Due Friday on Lab Grant Meeting

Regarding the $227 million lab grant item below, Richard Murphy, interim president of CIRM, just sent us the following:

"The slides with the specifics for the meeting are in the process of being edited and should be available on the Web Friday."

How to Wrestle with Requests for $227 Million: CIRM Agenda Vague

The California stem cell agency will deal once again next week with its plans for its largest round of grants ever, but exactly what is on the agenda is a virtual mystery.

No matter. If you are looking for some cash to build labs, you better be at the Facilities Working Group session Nov. 15. The details are what counts here, and missing one could mean the loss of tens of millions of dollars.

On the agenda is something listed only as "Consideration of Process and Procedures for Major Facilities Grants Review Meeting." We queried CIRM for more details. None were forthcoming. Perhaps they will be available in time for applicants and other interested parties to make plans to be in San Francisco.

The facilities group will be dealing with the applications for $227 million in lab construction grants next year, following the scientific review and the first cut in January by the Oversight Committee. The scientific review will be behind closed doors but the facilities group session is scheduled to be public.

The Shifting Sands of Stem Cell Support

New Jersey voters on Tuesday sent a message to sanguine supporters of stem cell research in California: Do not assume that the public is always behind you.

Analysis this morning of the election results is a bit preliminary but news reports are characterizing the rejection of the $450 million stem cell research measure as a surprise.

And it is not good news for those in California who find reassurance in the 59 percent voter approval of Proposition 71 in 2004, the measure that created the state's $3 billion stem cell program.

We have pointed out previously that stem cell research is not well understood by the public. Support for it is weak despite often rosy polls that seem to indicate it is a motherhood issue, at least in the eyes of some at CIRM. That is not the case, as shown in a poll by the Pew Forum for Religion and Public Life. According to that survey, support dropped from 57 percent nationally two years ago to 51 percent in August this year. It also showed that 55 percent of the public had heard little or nothing about stem cell research.

The New Jersey vote signals that it is imperative for CIRM to move forward thoughtfully and effectively on its public education/PR plans and promptly fill the vacant position of chief communications officer.

The New Jersey vote showed the vulnerability of stem cell research in the political marketplace. Voters can be fickle. To forestall erosion of support in California, CIRM must move to shore up its weaknesses. Those include its penchant for closed doors and secrecy – all of which breed suspicion and provide a recipe for scandal.

CIRM Offers $300,000 PR Contract

"Anonymous" posted a comment on our "communications void" item below that merits some attention. Here it is, and here is the link to the RFP that the comment mentions. Our thanks to "anonymous."

"FYI - There is an RFP out for PR firms. The below is from Odwyerpr.com

"CALIFORNIA ISSUES $300K RFP FOR STEM CELL PR


"California's state-backed entity set up to distribute funds for stem cell research has issued a six-figure RFP for state, national and global public information and communications work.

"The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine is backed by $3 billion in bonds and distributes funds via an independent citizens' oversight committee, which plans to dole out nearly $300M each year over the next decade.

"The Institute has issued an RFP for a firm to handle its public information needs for the next year with a budget capped at $300K. The work includes a full media relations program, strategic counsel, outreach to patient advocacy and health organizations, and internal communications.

"The CIRM wants a firm steeped in education and advocacy for scientific and medical research, public funding and related topics.

"Proposals are due Nov. 30."

Science, Libel and the Law: A California Case

A California physician, who also serves on the UC Irvine faculty, says a lawsuit against him by a Korean stem cell scientist is an attempt to "stamp out any critical scrutiny" of the researcher's credentials and techniques.

The matter, which will hit a Los Angeles court room on Wednesday, pits Bruce Flamm against Kwang Yul Cha.

Flamm works at Kaiser Permanente in Riverside, Ca. Cha, an internationally known scientist, heads a "a vast conglomerate of medical facilities in Korea and the United States," according to legal filings by Flamm.

Last March the California stem cell agency awarded a $2.6 million grant to a nonprofit, Los Angeles subsidiary of the Cha organization. Directors of the agency approved the application without knowing the identity of the applicant, following a recommendation from another CIRM panel arrived at behind closed doors. Both procedures are standard for the agency. A flap arose when the media reported the applicant had links to Cha and reported the controversy surrounding the scientist. In September, the subsidiary withdrew its grant application.

The Flamm-Cha story began with a 2001 article by Cha and two other persons that was published in the Journal of Reproductive Medicine. Flamm said it reported that "distant intercessory prayer can double the success rate" of IVF. The article generated international attention and comment, including some from Flamm.

In August of this year, Cha filed a libel lawsuit against Flamm, saying that Flamm defamed him in a March 15, 2007, article in the Ob/Gyn News. In October Flamm filed what is known as an anti-SLAPP lawsuit against Cha.

Flamm's suit is based on a California law aimed at preventing stifling of public discussion through the use of lawsuits. SLAPP is an abbreviation for "strategic lawsuit against public participation."

Flamm is contending that his comments concerned matters of "significant public interest," are not prima facie defamatory and are protected by California's anti-SLAPP statute.

Flamm told the California Stem Cell Report via email that "Kwang Cha's attorneys will attempt to over-ride our anti-SLAPP motion" in Los Angeles Superior Court at 8:30 a.m. Pacific Standard Time on Wednesday.

WARF Stem Cell Patents: The Latest Chapter

Two groups challenging WARF's stem cell patents, an effort supported by the incoming president of the California stem cell agency, Alan Trounson, are rejecting the Wisconsin organization's latest attempt to beat back the move.

The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights and the Public Patent Foundation said WARF's latest filings do not merit overturning a preliminary ruling against the organization.

You can find the latest legal argument by the two groups here. You can find the press release here.

Fresh Comment

"Anonymous" has posted a comment on the "high priests" item below. It includes a link to more details on American Chemical Society and its activities regarding open access.

High Priests vs. Open Access to Research

The high priests of the newspaper business – otherwise known as editors and publishers -- have learned about the power of the Internet the hard way. Their business is turning remorselessly downward as advertisers shift their dollars to chase readers who have abandoned print.

Now comes the turn of the high priests of scientific journals. And the forces at work are something that the California stem cell agency will have to confront as it deals increasingly with public access to publicly funded research findings and how quickly that access becomes available.

Merrill Goozner, director of the Integrity in Science project for the Center for Science in the Public Interest, wrote recently that both houses of Congress have approved legislation that would provide free public access to all published articles from NIH-funded research. The measure was opposed by publishers who say that their ability to support independent peer review requires exclusive copyrights.

Goozner cites an article in The Scientist that points out that there may be a link to profits, which in turn are linked to salaries, for example, at the American Chemical Society, which generates $500 million a year from its 36 journals. Several top executives at the society earn more than $750,000 a year.

Any researcher working for a private company knows that he who pays the piper calls the tune. The fact is that taxpayers finance this research. At the heart, they own it just as much as a bank owns a mortgaged house or shareholders own a company.

The Internet is like a tidal force. Resisting its imperative may appear to be possible in the short term, but over the long term the high priests will be sweep out to sea. The alternative is come up with a better business plan and to find a way to ride the tide instead fighting it.

Communications Void at California Stem Cell Agency

During the next few months, the California stem cell agency is embarking on two rounds of grants worth $312 million, with a multimillion dollar public outreach program in the wings -- all of that minus its top communications executive.

Dale Carlson resigned from his post as chief communications officer last month, saying that he wanted to return to the private sector. Carlson joined the agency August 2006 after serving as vice president for corporate affairs with the Pacific (stock) Exchange in San Francisco for 18 years.

Replacing Carlson will be a difficult task. He is a consummate professional, one of the best that we have encountered over decades of experience with practitioners of public relations. He had a keen grasp of the needs of CIRM and the needs of the media and how to achieve a balance that was in the best interest of his employer.

The communications job at CIRM is particularly difficult because it is a unique enterprise with complex responsibilities and tasks. By comparison, most government agencies are straightforward, as are businesses. But CIRM combines both government and business, along with science, politics, morality, ethics, religion and much more. Finding someone who will be knowledgeable and comfortable with the scope of CIRM activities will take considerable work.

Already we have seen some predictable slippage in CIRM's PR functions, relatively minor at this point. But with the $85 million faculty awards due in December and the far-reaching $227 million in lab grants, the need for top notch help looms large.

CIRM is looking for an interim communications person as well as a permanent replacement with a salary range of $130,000 to $195,000. It will certainly need someone on board, whether an outside firm or person, come January when the lab grants are scheduled for approval by the Oversight Committee.

Also coming up in 2008 is a public outreach program, which the strategic plan says could run $4.5 million. Both incoming CIRM President Alan Trounson and interim President Richard Murphy have identified the public education effort as a major priority.

Murphy told CIRM directors last month that the agency is considering hiring an outside firm that would work with "an internal public information coordinator." Murphy said the agency will begin a search for a "firm that is strong in medical affairs and journalism and has good relationships with government."

CIRM is coming out of an unsettled period that was at least a partial result of failure to fill the vacant presidential spot in a prompt fashion. CIRM's chief scientific officer, Arlene Chiu, has left and others as well. It is fair to speculate that absent the disruption Carlson might still be at the agency.

Carlson was the third communications person/firm in the last three years at CIRM, not including a whopping $378,000 contract with the Edelman PR firm. That track record reflects poorly on the agency. We suspect it is partially linked to micromanagement problems. It also may have to do with internal access issues. If the new communications chief is to serve CIRM well, he or she must have complete access at the highest levels of the organization. Otherwise, policies become locked in place without full consideration of all their public ramifications.

Public relations is one of those tasks that seem simple on the surface and consequently sometimes generates poorly informed and self-serving dabbling. The Oversight Committee at one point even engaged in writing PR practices into its grant administration regulations in a way that protected the interests of grant recipients over the agency itself.

CIRM needs to resolve such issues if it is to achieve its public outreach and education goals.

Update on Aussie Stem Cell Research Probe

The latest report out of Australia says that the investigation into the stem cell project at Monash University will be over by the end of this month.

Carly Crawford of the Herald Sun reported today that the probe, which is linked to incoming CIRM President Alan Trounson, is in its final stages. Crawford also wrote that Monash says it will return the $1 million in public funds if it is determined that misconduct occurred.

Trounson, who is not the subject of the investigation but oversaw the research, is clearing out his office prior to his move to California in January, the newspaper reported.

CIRM Director Nova Scores with IPO

It was not a bad financial week for Tina Nova, one of the directors of the California stem cell agency.

She is president of Genoptix of Carlsbad, Ca., which went public this week at $17 a share and then shot up at one point to $27.30. The shares closed at $24.97 today, up 27 cents for the day, even as the Dow Jones Industrial Averages plummeted 362 points.

Terri Somers of the San Diego Union-Tribune reported that the firm, which helps oncologists determine the best treatment for certain cancer victims, is the latest in a series of health-care connected firms to do well on their initial public offerings.

She wrote:

"Scott Sweet, managing director of IPOboutique.com, said investors were eager to snap up Genoptix shares after a recent surge in revenue that was atypical of a biomedical firm."

Dow Jones reported,

"Right now, what we have is a shortage of companies that actually have revenues and all that other good stuff," said Steve Brozak, a biotech and medical-devices analyst who is president of WBB Securities."

Trounson and Sale of Melbourne IVF

The financial affairs of Alan Trounson, the incoming president of the California stem cell agency, surfaced in this week in the Australian media.

Australian Bioethics picked up a report from the Australian Financial Review that said the sale of Melbourne IVF should mean $8.8 million (Australian) for Trounson.

According to Australian Bioethics, private equity firms are interested in buying the business for about $200 million. Melbourne IVF is the largest IVF clinic in Australia.

StemLifeLine: No to Third Party, Spare Embryo Decisions

Ana Krtolica, chief executive officer of StemLifeLine Inc. of San Carlos, Ca., offers the following on our item concerning the story in the San Francisco Chronicle about her firm. Among other things, the story said the company had triggered protests from both supporters and opponents of embryonic stem cell research.

"StemLifeLine is a life sciences company that offers individuals who have undergone in vitro fertilization, a unique option to develop stem cell lines from their surplus stored embryos.

"As former academic stem cell researchers, we learned that IVF patients who donated embryos for research often inquired about the possibility to access the stem cells derived from their embryos. This inspired us to develop the novel StemLifeLine service - the first of its kind in the world - for IVF patients who wish to develop their own stem cell lines.

"At StemLifeLine, we believe that it is up to IVF patients and not any third party to decide what should be done with their spare embryos. These patients invested financially, emotionally and physically into embryo generation and it is their choice, their genetic material and their responsibility to make the best decision for themselves and their families.

"It is also important to note that clients that choose to use our service may still benefit research while developing their own stem cell lines. The two options are not mutually exclusive. As researchers, the founders and staff at StemLifeLine are personally committed to supporting biomedical research and stem cell research, in particular. Therefore, we provide an option for clients to donate an additional portion of their stem cell lines to any non-profit research facility of their choice at no charge. However, this decision is left entirely up to each patient.

"Finally, there has been speculation about our pricing. Stem cell derivation is an expensive process that requires a high level of scientific expertise, state-of-the-art equipment and significant time investment. Nevertheless, we are able to provide this service for a price comparable to cord blood stem cell banking.

"To conclude, without having personal experience with the IVF process, none of us can fully understand how difficult it is to make a decision regarding the allocation of surplus embryos. Our goal at StemLifeLine is to offer an additional option to IVF patients and it is up to these patients and their families to make the best decision based on their individual needs and priorities."

No Interstate Stem Cell Cookbook

The Interstate Alliance on Stem Cell Research has decided not to offer model policies for openness and transparency throughout the nation or any other model regulations for that matter.

According to Warren Wollschlager, chair of the group, it will focus on compiling and sharing information from various states involved in stem cell research programs. He told the Boston Globe that there will be no national "cookbook." Wollschlager also said the group will not engage in direct advocacy efforts.

Wollschlarger reported that about 24 persons attended the group's two-day meeting last week in Boston, including a handful of public attendees. He said,

"As planned, we did discuss governance issues during the meeting, and clarified that the method by which the IASCR will meet its mission of fostering interstate collaboration is by compiling and sharing information about state specific statutes, regulation and policies. This commitment to collecting and sharing state information is reflected by the focus and charge of the various working groups. Working subcommittees are charged with compiling state specific information, checking out the accuracy of the information with the various states, and summarizing the data for the full committee. All final products of the IASCR will be posted on the IASCR website. I wanted to clarify that the IASCR will not be issuing policy recommendations or developing model statutory or regulatory language."

In an email to the California Stem Cell Report, Wollschlager said that all future meetings of the group will be open to the public.

He also said that the group's web site should be online about Dec. 3 and that the next meeting of the group will be in March or April of next year, probably in Washington, D.C.

ACT and Geron Talk About Clinical Trials

CNNMoney.com has a piece today on two California companies that report they are edging closer to clinical trials on treatments using human embryonic stem cells.

Aaron Smith wrote the article about Geron and Advanced Cell Technology. It also mentioned Novocell.

In the case of the first two companies, Smith said tests could begin as early as next year. However, schedules have slipped in the past.

Smith wrote:

"'What we're seeing now in the stem cell field is like a chess match,' said Stephen Brozak, analyst for WBB Securities. 'The early moves will ultimately dictate who succeeds in the stem cell space.'"

Geron's product involves spinal cord injuries and ACT's vision loss. Novocell is looking at diabetes.

Stem Cell Freeze Flap: Ethics, UC San Francisco, Stanford Involved

"Modern day frankenstein story," "undeniably creepy," "trying to improve the quality of life." Some of the comments on a story in the San Francisco Chronicle involving a firm that offers "to create 'personalized' stem cells from the spare embryos of fertility clinic clients."

The article Monday by Bernadette Tansey said the idea is to freeze the stem cells for possible later use – "insurance for the future" – in the event that medical breakthroughs could make use of them.

The company is StemLifeLine Inc. of San Carlos, which is located south of San Francisco. It charges as much as $7,000 to create and freeze the stem cells with storage costs of $350 currently. Additional fees of up to $2,000 could be charged.

Tansey said the firm's proposal has set off a "flash fire of protest" from both supporters and foes of stem cell research.

Forty-seven comments were filed by the public on the story(they can be read at the end of the Chronicle story). The wide range offers some insight into the magnitude of the public education challenges that stem cell research still faces. Particularly since the Chronicle audience presumably consists largely of stem cell supporters.

The story also reported that the firm's business has triggered something of a tussle involving folks from UC San Francisco and Stanford.

The head of StemLifeLine is Ana Krtolica(see photo), a former researcher at UC San Francisco. On the firm's advisory board is Susan Fisher, who heads the UC San Francisco stem cell program. Olga Genbacev, a member of the firm's board, is a scientist in Fisher's lab. Tansey also reported that "the company's staff and boards include present and former research collaborators of Fisher's."

One of the folks from Stanford arrayed against the firm's proposal was David Magnus, director of that university's Center for Biomedical Ethics. He told Tansey,

"These companies are essentially taking advantage of people's ignorance and fears to make a buck,"

Also commenting negatively from Stanford were Rene Reijo Pera, director of Stanford's stem cell program and formerly of UC San Francisco, and Chris Scott, director of the Stanford program on Stem Cells in Society.

In addition to the comments on the Chronicle site, Monya Baker in Nature's stem cell blog, The Niche, said that it is "troubling" that the company has failed to make any of its customers available for interviews and refuses to provide a copy of the contract that customers sign.

San Diego Wildfires and the Biotech Business

San Diego is one of the global centers for stem cell research. This week it was also the scene of disastrous wildfires that destroyed 2,000 homes and left $1 billion damage.

The fires meant personal tragedies for some, closures of businesses and loss of some research. The fires also served notice once again to businesses and researchers of the impact that natural disasters can suddenly have and the importance of emergency planning, especially in Southern California which is also in an earthquake zone.

Stem cell research and businesses are just one component of a large life science industry in the San Diego -- one that encompasses 500 firms and 36,000 employees.

In an effort to provide a partial view of the fire's impact, The California Stem Cell Report queried a handful of folks in the stem cell business in fire area.

In the case of Richard Murphy, interim president of the California stem cell agency, he was in San Francisco working as the fire advanced towards his home in Rancho Santa Fe. Murphy said the home was being rented while he worked in Northern California, and reported on Thursday that the house was safe.

Researcher Jeanne Loring of the Burnham Institute in La Jolla was in Maine at a stem cell meeting. She said via email that her house in Del Mar had been on the mandatory evacuation list but that it was safe. "I took a break from following the fires on the Internet to give a seminar to a class of a human ESC training course here in Bar Harbor."

She said that at one point both Burnham and neighboring Scripps were closed, but power remained on and the cell banks were okay. Salk and UC San Diego were also partially or completely closed at times.

Loring continued,

"Some experiments were lost just because the researchers were evacuated. Some people who were evacuated were staying at the labs. I offered my office couch, but I don't know if anyone took me up on it....One unexpected benefit was that the NIH gave grant applicants a grace period. We have a few more days to work on one stem cell grant from the Burnham that was due on Tuesday!"

Floyd Bloom, a member of the CIRM Oversight Committee and executive director for science communications at Scripps, said, "I've been hunkering down, trying to keep my mind off the tragedies by working."

Jay Blankenbeckler, a biotech manager at Invitrogen in Carlsbad in northern San Diego County, awoke early one morning in his Rancho Bernardo home to find high winds and approaching blazes. Time magazine quoted him as saying that mature palm trees in his yard were bent over.

He said,

"They were doing this swirling thing. My palm trees, 35 to 45 feet of palm tree, almost looked like a swizzle stick in a drink, moving around in a big circle."

He and his family evacuated, and at last report his home was still okay.

Bioworld Today reported that at one point half of the staff of BIOCOM, the Southern California industry association, was evacuated from their homes. The online publication reported that many biotech businesses had to close during the fire.

Invitrogen at one point sent most workers home from its main production facility. But it said shipments won't be affected, according to an article by Mike Nagle on us-pharmatechnologist.com. It has another distribution site in Maryland.

Nagle also reported that some biotech businesses at one point were in risk of losing buildings. He said,

"This poses several problems, not least of which is how to care for any animals kept at the facility and where to take them should they need to be evacuated. A further problem is what to with the, often very expensive, compounds used at each facility, many of which require special storage conditions, or are still being used in active experiments or haven't yet been fully analyzed.

"Notwithstanding the fact that much of these materials may intrinsically be commercially sensitive, this is where nearby but not at risk life sciences companies come into the equation, which obviously have the facilities to look after both research animals and chemicals.

"Of course, this is ignoring the more simple fact that a fire at a facility that contains vast amounts of chemicals could be an environmental disaster. However, the companies in the area will, of course, have made contingency plans for emergencies such as this - especially since this is not the first time California has been devastated by wildfires: four years ago, wildfires swept through Southern California, killing over 20 people."

Nagle said that the daily production of the life sciences companies in San Diego runs about $23 million a day.

Here is a link to a regularly updated map by the San Diego Union-Tribune of the fire zones in San Diego.

Fresh Comments

A "Mr. Gunn" has raised a question about our handling of the Australian stem cell investigation stories. We have a response for him. It all can be found under "comments" on the "malicious attack" item below.

Secrecy: A Recipe for Scandal

Seventeen California universities and research institutions have applied to the California stem cell agency for $227 million to build major new labs throughout the state.

It is single biggest round of grants in CIRM's short life.

As usual, CIRM refuses to release the names of the applicants, making it difficult for the public to comment, support or express reservations on the grants during the most critical stage of reviews. However, it is fair to say that any institution with a significant stem cell research presence will have applied along with those who are seeking to build that capacity. It is also fair to say that public disclosure of names of grant applicants, prior to formal review, would have avoided the flap earlier this year about a $2.6 million grant to CHA RMI in Los Angeles.

In the case of the lab grants, applicants are certain to include nearly all the University of California campuses, Stanford, USC and the San Diego stem cell consortium, which includes Salk, Scripps and Burnham in addition to UC San Diego.

So if you readers have any reservations about the ability of those institutions to make good use of a $20 million or so lab grant, you can email or write CIRM, whose web site -- www.cirm.ca.gov -- carries all the contact information.

Earlier this week, the California Stem Cell Report and the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights appealed to the agency to reconsider its secrecy policies in connection with the use of $227 million in taxpayer funds. No, was CIRM's response.

The secrecy policies, however, fly in the face of the spirit if not the letter of the California Constitution, which states that the people of the state have a "broadly construed" right to access to information involving the public's business. The amendment to the constitution was approved by 83 percent of voters in 2004. That was the same year voters approved creation of the stem cell agency by only 59 percent.

CIRM is an agency controlled by a 29-person board that is riddled with conflicts of interest. Ultimately it is in the agency's own best interests to operate with more openness. Handing out hundreds of millions of dollars behind closed doors with no public disclosure of the conflicts involving reviewers is a recipe for scandal.

Trounson Hit with Malicious Attack

The incoming president for the California stem cell agency, Alan Trounson, is in the news again, this time as the target of a malicious, anonymous attack.

Here are the first three paragraphs of the story from the Australian:

"Monash University has condemned anonymous allegations that leading stem cell scientist Alan Trounson used fraudulent research to obtain federal funding as false and malicious.

"Professor Trounson and his colleagues at the Monash Immunology and Stem Cell Laboratories said the charge was without substance.

"They expressed shock that someone claiming to be a stem cell researcher would make such allegations."

Fresh Comment

A "Mr. Gunn" has posted a comment on the "No Support" item below. He supports the position of CIRM.

Pluripotent Possibilities at Interstate Conference on Stem Cell Research

A California watchdog organization is calling for national guidelines on government-funded stem cell research that would ensure openness, transparency and accountability in the multi-billion dollar state programs.

The appeal came from John M. Simpson, stem cell project director for the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights (FTCR) in Santa Monica, Ca. The organization's recommendations came as the Wall Street Journal reported on a Congressional inquiry into transparency and conflict issues in another area of government-funded science – this one involving lung cancer research.

Simpson said in a letter to the Interstate Alliance for Stem Cell Research, which begins a meeting Wednesday(Oct. 24) in Boston, that it should commit to holding public meetings for all future sessions. Simpson was ousted from a meeting of the interstate group last May in California, although he had been invited to its first session. A representative of the National Academy of Sciences, which is backing the meetings of the interstate group, told Simpson the meeting was not open to the public despite the fact that it involved public officials and public money.

Simpson commended the group for holding a public session in Boston. He said,

"I fully expect the Interstate Alliance will have a major influence on rules and regulations in all the states that are represented. That means it is imperative that the public have access to your deliberations and the ability to offer input and comments. Given the potentially contentious nature of publicly funded stem cell research, the need for the utmost transparency is even greater than would otherwise be the case."

Simpson urged the alliance to create a working group to draft model regulations to ensure openness, transparency and accountability in the various state stem cell programs. He said,

"Such a working group should go beyond members of the state stem cell agencies and include representatives of organizations committed to public access in government operations."

Simpson's letter was directed to Warren Wollschlager, chairman of the interstate group. Simpson told the California Stem Cell Report that Wollschlager said he would bring up the openness issue at the Boston meeting.

The Wall Street Journal article highlighted some of the issues involved in openness and transparency in even relatively non-controversial research, much less the heated debate over human embryonic stem cell research.

The piece by David Armstrong said that the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which oversees medical-research issues,

"...was concerned that potential conflicts of interest 'could damage the credibility' of the decade long, $200 million National Lung Screening Trial. The results are expected to have a significant impact in standards for lung-cancer screening and who will pay for it.

"Two of the trial's principal investigators have testified as paid experts for tobacco companies facing lawsuits seeking to force them to pay for smokers' annual CT scans."

Our comment: The interstate alliance has an extraordinary opportunity to influence the ESC research activities across the country. National standards are needed. And for the foreseeable future, they are not likely to be forthcoming from our friends at the federal level. Embryonic stem cell research IS pluripotent. As it exists today with the many states involved, major opportunities exist and changes are possible in non-productive grant review processes that currently hobble creative endeavors. The growth of the state research efforts has great promise. It also has great peril -- if the state endeavors become closed-door, secret activities that enable anti-science forces to foster suspicion and fear. It would be a shame for the Interstate Alliance and the states involved in stem cell research not to take advantage of what is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to begin to chart new and better courses.