The Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation (OREF) and the National Stem Cell Foundation (NSCF) have partnered to fund a second adult stem cell research grant, called the OREF Clinical Research Grant in Cellular Therapy.
Money for Stem Cell Research
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As with their co-funded grant in 2014, this collaboration will allow both organizations to direct significant funding to stem cell research, which many expect to play a role in the future of orthopedic medicine.
The grant will provide up to $800,000 over a three-year period, making it the largest grant ever offered by OREF.
According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, stem cell therapies hold promise for the treatment of many common musculoskeletal conditions including bone fractures and nonunions, articular cartilage damage and ligament and tendon ruptures.
NSCF Chairman and CEO Paula Grisanti, M.D. said, “The National Stem Cell Foundation is delighted to partner with OREF in funding research projects with this kind of promise. It is our goal to fund collaborations that will accelerate the development and availability of stem cell therapies with the greatest potential for immediate impact.”
“The OREF mission is about coming together to support innovative and promising orthopaedic research. This new program with the National Stem Cell Foundation is a powerful illustration of what we can achieve when we combine our resources, experience and creativity for the good of our patients and the practice of orthopaedics,” stated OREF President David G. Lewallen, M.D.
The National Stem Cell Foundation is a charitable 501(c)(3) organization that funds adult stem cell and regenerative medicine research, advocates for patients participating in clinical trials and supports STEM education to inspire the next generation of researchers and scientists nationwide.
The Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation is a charitable 501(c)(3) organization committed to improving lives by supporting excellence in orthopedic research. OREF is dedicated to being the leader in supporting research that improves function, eliminates pain and restores mobility, and is the premiere orthopaedic organization funding research across all specialties.
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This is a fascinating development. In my practice we've seen similar outcomes with the revised protocol. The key differentiator seems to be patient selection criteria. Has anyone else noticed the correlation with BMI thresholds?
Great point. I'd push back slightly on the conclusion, the sample size in the cited study is too small to draw population-level inferences. That said, the directional signal is compelling and worth a larger RCT.
We implemented a similar approach last year. Early results are promising but we're still gathering 12-month follow-up data. Happy to share our protocol if anyone is interested.
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