No pig cell trials for youuuuu.

19 November 2008
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Just this minute got a call from Dr Baker’s team at Middlemore – the people who are carrying out NZ’s pig cell trials.

Unfortunately I am too young to be included in the entry criteria for the pig cell transplant trials – they are looking for type ones aged 35-65. They are doing pre-screening now, apparently – aiming to get underway ‘very soon’.

GOOD LUCK to those of you who meet the criteria and get chosen! Please email me and tell me how you’re getting on!

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By Nic on 19 November 2008 at 3.15 pm
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An email from Living Cell Technologies.

23 October 2008
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I got a reply from LCT today, which Professor Elliot heads up. Will be interested to see what happens next. I feel like I’m a very minute part of a very exciting scientific break-through and it will be interesting even just to observe this moving forward.

Thank you for your email and interest in LCT.

We are delighted to be able to get clinical trials underway in New Zealand, the place where the DiabeCell® concept was initially conceived by Professor Bob Elliott.

Dr John Baker, diabetes consultant at Middlemore is conducting this trial for LCT and is responsible for selecting participants with type 1 diabetes.  We shall forward your details to Dr Baker.

If you are not…

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By Nic on 23 October 2008 at 8.51 pm
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$100,000.

22 October 2008
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According to this article in today’s Herald, this is what a transplant would likely cost if the trials were successful and became standard practise.

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By Nic on 22 October 2008 at 11.09 am
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Sign me up…!

21 October 2008
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This just through from the Herald….

Pig tissue transplants given green light

Health Minister David Cunliffe has approved a clinical trial involving the transplantation of pig cells into humans.

Biotech entrepreneur Living Cell Technologies Ltd (LCT) wants to transfer cells from the pancreas of pigs to produce insulin in type-1 diabetes sufferers in a process known as xenotransplantation. The trial would be conducted at Middlemore Hospital, in South Auckland.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10538621&ref=rss

EDIT: This article says the trial will be with eight patients, starting February 09:

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,24529160-23109,00.html

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By Nic on 21 October 2008 at 11.08 am
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