$429 Million Stem Cell/Genetic Research Plan Advances Today in California; Supporters Promise High Impact

Sharp contrast from national ruckus created by Trump administration

CIRM chart on the goals for its new priorities

California moved forward this afternoon with a $429 million plan designed to boost its impact on stem cell and genetic research aimed at creating revolutionary treatments for afflictions ranging from autism to heart disease.

The action by two key panels of California’s stem cell and gene therapy agency stood in sharp contrast to the ongoing turmoil induced by the Trump administration in the national research world. Uncertainty, severe budget cuts and fear have been the order of the day in Washington. California institutions are expected to lose as much as $800 million in research support unless legal action stymies the Trump administration.

The agency’s directors were mum this afternoon about the national situation. In the past, however, some have been adamant about the need for the agency to help out with the financial research crunch in California. The agency is isolated from the Trump cuts because it is supported by state bond funding that flows directly to it.

Today’s plan grew out of a year-long review of the priorities of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM). New and revised concepts for award rounds were approved. They included a strong emphasis on data sharing, collaboration, and deeper involvement by CIRM in focusing and supporting the research, including active involvement at researchers’ meetings with the Food and Drug Administration, along with the creation of late-stage clinical trial strategy committees that would include CIRM.

Also new today were “preferences” in each round that will give some applications a boost