MandalMed Scientists and Collaborators Awarded 2018 SRF-Reproduction Prize.
January, 2019
The Society for Reproduction and Fertility (SRF) awarded the 2018 SRF-Reproduction Prize for excellence in reproductive biology research to Meenakshi Gaur, Cyril Ramathal, Renee A Reijo Pera, Paul J Turek and Constance M John for their paper entitled, “Isolation of human testicular cells and co-culture with embryonic stem cells.” The prize recognizes the best research published in SRF’s journal Reproduction.
Findings of MandalMed Scientists and Collaborators Published in the Journal Reproduction.
February, 2018
The paper entitled, “Isolation of human testicular cells and co-culture with embryonic stem cells,” by Meenakshi Gaur, Cyril Ramathal, Renee A Reijo Pera, Paul J Turek and Constance M John, describes a protocol isolation populations enriched for the 3 major somatic cell populations of the testes. Click here for the paper.
The National Institute Of Diabetes And Digestive And Kidney Diseases Awards Phase I SBIR Grant to MandalMed.
September 20, 2018
The award is entitled, “Biologic Inhibitor of Galectin-3 for Liver Fibrosis,” is aimed at developing a protein inhibitor of galectin-3 as a treatment for liver fibrosis. Currently, there are no drugs approved for treatment of liver fibrosis.. The Co-principal Investigators are Constance M. John, Ph.D., and Natalie J. Torok, M.D., of Stanford University.
MandalMed Receives Phase II Fast Track SBIR Award from National Institute of Aging.
April 15, 2017
The two-year award entitled, “Inhibition of Galectin-3 for Therapy of Remodeling After Myocardial Infarction,” is aimed at developing a protein inhibitor of galectin-3, for the prevention and treatment of harmful remodeling after myocardial infarction. The Co-principal Investigators are Constance M. John, Ph.D., and Matthew L. Springer, Ph.D.
MandalMed Receives Phase I Fast Track SBIR Award from National Institute of Aging.
August 15, 2016
The award entitled, “Inhibition of Galectin-3 for Therapy of Remodeling After Myocardial Infarction,” is aimed at developing a protein inhibitor of galectin-3, for the prevention and treatment of harmful remodeling after myocardial infarction. The Co-principal Investigators are Constance M. John, Ph.D., President and CEO of MandalMed and Matthew L. Springer, Ph.D., Professor, Cardiovascular Division, University of California, San Francisco.
MandalMed scientists and collaborators one step closer to functioning human artificial testicle for reproductive toxicology.
May 2014
Meenakshi Gaur, Ph.D., Director of Cell and Molecular Biology at MandalMed, is the first author of presentation at the annual meeting of the American Urological Association in Orlando, FL this week.
Click here to read the press release
MandalMed announces the receipt of Phase I NIH SBIR award from the National Heart Blood and Lung Institute.
September 2013
The project is entitled "Protein Inhibitor of Galectin-3 to Limit Fibrosis after Myocardial Infarction". Constance M. John, Ph.D., President and CEO of MandalMed, and Matthew L. Springer, Ph.D., Professor, Cardiovascular Division of the University of California, San Francisco are Co-Principal Investigators.
MandalMed's human cell-based testis model for reproductive toxicology is featured in the "Environmental Factor", a newsletter of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.
April 2012
Click here to read the article
The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences awards Phase I SBIR grant to MandalMed.
August 2011
The award is entitled "Model of the Human Testis for Reproductive Toxicology". Co-principal Investigators are Constance M. John, Ph.D., President and CEO of MandalMed, and Paul J. Turek, M.D., of the Turek Clinic and CMO of MandalMed. The overall goal of the project is to develop a functional in vitro human cell-based testis model of spermatogenesis for reproductive toxicology. The need for more relevant and improved reproductive toxicology testing represents a significant commercial opportunity, especially in the pharmaceutical industry. This effort potentially could lead to the capability to replicate normal human spermatogenesis in vitro and generate de novo mature sperm for infertile, azoospermic men.
"Galectin-3C Inhibits Tumor Growth and Increases the Anticancer Activity of Bortezomib in a Murine Model of Human Multiple Myeloma,” by MandalMed scientists and collaborators published by PLoS One. 2011;6(7):e21811.
July 2011
The median survival of multiple myeloma is only about 5 years. Galectin-3C inhibited chemotaxis and invasion of multiple myeloma cells induced by stromal cell-derived factor (SDF)-1alpha, and facilitated the anticancer activity of bortezomib, a proteasome inhibitor approved by the FDA for multiple myeloma treatment. Galectin-3C and bortezomib synergistically inhibited MM-induced angiogenesis activity in vitro. Delivery of galectin-3C intravenously via an osmotic pump in a subcutaneous NOD/SCID mouse model of multiple myeloma significantly inhibited tumor growth and facilitated the effect of bortezomib.
Click here for article
MandalMed researchers Lay Groundwork for Creation of Artificial Human Testicle.
October 2010
After more than 30 years of unsuccessful efforts by numerous investigators, MandalMed researchers have now found a way to propagate primary human Sertoli cells in the laboratory. Derived from the testis, it has been difficult to maintain Sertoli cells, the “nurse” cells responsible for overseeing sperm production, outside of the human body. This is the first step, say investigators, to developing an artificial human testicle for reproductive research. Results showing how the cultured human cells function were presented at the 66th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine’s (ASRM) in Denver on Tuesday. Click here for more details.
"Characterization and Functionality of Proliferative Human Sertoli Cells" Accepted for Publication in Cell Transplantation.
September 2010
Study by MandalMed researchers and collaborators epublished ahead of print. The results showed that functional human Sertoli cells can be propagated in vitro from testicular cells isolated from adult testis. The proliferative human Sertoli cells should have important applications in studying infertility, reproductive toxicology, testicular cancer, and spermatogenesis, and due to their unique biological properties could be useful in cell therapy. Click here for article
MandalMed Contracts with Lonza to be Sole Distributor of Proprietary Human Sertoli Cells.
May 2009
MandalMed announces an agreement with Lonza, a foremost supplier of cell-based based products, to be the sole distributor of the our patent-pending proliferative human Sertoli cells. MandalMed is the only source of commercially available human Sertoli cells. Sertoli cells are essential for maintenance of testicular homeostasis and male reproductive viability, and due to their immunosuppressive and trophic ability may have applications in cell therapy. Functions normally attributed to Sertoli cells include protection of the developing germ cells, secretion of factors that nurture germ cells, and the orchestration of temporal and spatial control of apoptosis, mitosis, and meiosis during the complex process of spermatogenesis.
The National Cancer Institute Awards MandalMed Phase I SBIR for Research on Galectin-3C.
September 2008
The National Cancer Institute awarded a Phase I SBIR to MandalMed Inc. for research entitled “Preclinical Testing of Galectin-3C for Multiple Myeloma.” Dr. Maurizio Chiriva-Internati of Texas Tech University Health Science Center in Lubbock, TX and Dr. Constance M. John, President and CEO of MandalMed, are Co-Principal Investigators. The overall goal is development of a novel human protein as a treatment for multiple myeloma.
The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Awards MandalMed Phase I SBIR.
August 2007
MandalMed was awarded a Phase I Small Business Innovation research grant entitled, “Human Sertoli Cell Model for Study of Male Reproductive Function and Toxicity”. The overall goal is to develop a three-dimensional model of the blood-testis barrier (BTB) consisting of primary human Sertoli cells cultured on permeable membrane supports. Applications of the product include studies of the distribution and toxicology of drugs and industrial chemicals, and infertility research.
"Suitability of Allogeneic Sertoli cells for Ex Vivo Gene Delivery in the Injured Spinal Cord" Published in Experimental Neurology.
March 2006
Study by MandalMed scientists and their collaborators at the University of California San Francisco published in Experimental Neurology (Vol. 198: 88-100, 2006) demonstrates that Sertoli cells can be engineered to produce bioactive molecules, and show long-term survival after implantation into the hostile environment of the acutely injured spinal cord. Long-term survival of the modified cells represents an important step in developing an optimal cell-based delivery system that generates sustained expression of a therapeutic molecule.
US Patent 6,770,622 B2 for N-Terminally Truncated Galectin-3 for Use in Treating Cancer Allowed
August 3, 2004
Studies in animal models of cancer indicated that the truncated protein reduces tumor growth and inhibits metastasis without toxicity. MandalMed also has filed a Continuation Application for variously N-terminally truncated galectin-3 proteins and a related patent in Europe.
MandalMed Receives Notice of Allowance for US Patent on Anticancer Protein
March, 2004
Studies in animal models of cancer indicated that the truncated protein reduces tumor growth and inhibits metastasis without toxicity. MandalMed also has filed a Continuation Application for variously N-terminally truncated galectin-3 proteins and a related patent in Europe.
MandalMed Presents at the 4th Annual Life Science Ventures Conference
March 10, 2004
MandalMed was selected to present at this meeting that was designed to showcase nearly 50 of the most exciting start-ups and early stage life science companies and that was sponsored by Burrill and Company at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco.
MandalMed and Collaborators Present Work on Gene Therapy for Spinal Cord Injury
December 10-14, 2003
A presentation entitled, "Immune-privileged Sertoli Cells as Gene Delivery Vehicles for Spinal Cord Injury" was given by MandalMed scientists and their collaborators from the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of California, San Francisco at the Tenth International Symposium on Neural Regeneration, Asilomar Conference Center, Pacific Grove, CA (www.vard.org/jour/03/40/6/sup/pdf/poster2.pdf).