Three researchers at UC San Diego were awarded about $5.6 million in grants aimed at funding efforts to remove technological barriers to moving stem-cell research projects into clinical trials.
The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine awarded nearly $33 million in grants Thursday to 19 researchers across the state. CIRM was established in November 2004 as the state's stem cell agency, thanks to voters' passage of Proposition 71.
"These awards are a crucial component of CIRM's commitment to accelerate the development of stem cell-based therapies for people of the world,'' CIRM President Alan Trounson said. "CIRM funds all stages of therapy development, from basic research to translational awards, but any of these could be stalled by technological bottlenecks. In funding these innovative tools and technologies, CIRM is removing those barriers before they can delay cures.''