THMO - Top 10 Stem Cell Companies On The NASDAQ
Treating patients through stem cell research and regenerative medicines has emerged in popularity in the life sciences sector, although controversy has circulated this relatively new and upcoming therapeutic area for years.
As described by the US National Institutes of Health, stem cells have special capabilities that are employed particularly often early on in a person’s life. They can renew themselves without end, and they can also turn into other cells, such as ones that are organ-specific or needed for tissue, even if those cells have special functions.
The US National Institutes of Health explains there’s still a lot of lab work that needs to be done before stem cell products can be used as cell-based therapies or regenerative medicine. That being said, research continues to advance stem cell knowledge.
The reason stem cell research is so important is the cells’ ability to adapt: “In many tissues they serve as a sort of internal repair system, dividing essentially without limit to replenish other cells as long as the person or animal is still alive.”
In terms of market growth, Technavio’s report on the global stem cell therapy market indicates the market will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 36 percent between 2017 and 2021. Fueling growth will be traditional organ transplant restrictions; Technavio indicates there are “growing concerns” when it comes to traditional transplants due to risks of infection, immunosuppression and rejection.
Similarly, a BIS Research report estimates the global stem cell therapy market totaled US$755.4 million in 2018 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 28 percent until 2029 to reach US$11 billion.
On that note, here the Investing News Network profiles 10 stem cell companies that are listed on the NASDAQ. The companies listed below were part of the two reports, and are in order of market cap size from biggest to smallest, with all numbers and figures current as of November 28, 2019.
1. Sangamo Therapeutics (NASDAQ:SGMO)
Market cap: US$1.29 billion; current share price: US$10.76
Sangamo Therapeutics is working on genmonic therapies, particularly in areas with unmet medical needs.
In its gene therapy pipeline, the company has two programs in Phase 1/2 — one for hemophilia A, which is being developed in partnership with Pfizer (NYSE:PFE), and the other for fabry disease.
Sangamo’s ex vivo gene-edited cell therapy programs include four in different stages of development, including: a Phase 1/2 beta-thalassemia clinical trial in partnership with Sanofi (NYSE:SNY); a Phase 1/2 clinical trial for sickle cell disease, also in partnership with Sanofi; a solid organ transplant, which has completed the preclinical stages; and an oncology program in partnership with Kite Pharma, a subsidiary of Gilead (NASDAQ:GILD).
The company also has in vivo genome editing programs for mucopolysaccharidosis type 1 and 2 and hemophilia B — all three of which are in Phase 1/2 programs — and three in vivo gene regulation programs.
2. Vericel (NASDAQ:VCEL)
Market cap: US$840.26 million; current share price: US$18.80
Vericel bases its treatment on tissue collection from the patient. Its two lead products, Carticel and Epicel, are seeking to treat cartilage defects in the knee and patients with burns greater than or equal to 30 percent of total body surface area respectively.
The company also has exclusive license rights for the commercialization of NexoBrid in North America for treatment of severe thermal burns.
3. Cellular Biomedicine Group (NASDAQ:CBMG)
Market cap: US$351.10 million; current share price: US$18.21
Cellular Biomedicine Group is in the clinical stages of developing immunotherapies for cancers in addition to stem cell therapies for degenerative diseases.
In its stem cell therapy pipeline are two therapeutic candidates to treat knee osteoarthritis — AlloJoin and ReJoin — the former of which has been approved to advance into a Phase 2 clinical trial and the latter which has completed a Phase 2b clinical trial.
4. Athersys (NASDAQ:ATHX)
Market cap: US$205.23 Million; current share price: US$1.31
Athersys is a biopharmaceutical focused on its lead stem cell product candidate, the MultiStem, which is being developed to treat multiple diseases related to neurological, inflammatory and immune and cardiovascular conditions, among others.
The company’s most advanced programs are for treating ischemic stroke, one of the leading debilitating diseases in the US, Europe, Japan and China. MultiStem is being evaluated in a registrational trial in Japan and is in a Phase 3 trial at sites in North America and Europe.
5. Gamida Cell (NASDAQ:GMDA)
Market cap: US$128.03 million; current share price: US$5.00
Gamida Cell’s cell therapies are intended to treat blood cancers and rare hematologic conditions. Its lead product candidate is omidubicel, which can potentially act as a stem cell transplant patients with high-risk blood cancer or bone marrow failure disorders.
The drug is currently being evaluated in a Phase 3 clinical study in leukemia and lymphoma patients in addition to a Phase 1/2 study in patients with aplastic anemia.
6. BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics (NASDAQ:BCLI)
Market cap: US$89.29 million; current share price: US$3.95
In the company’s pipeline is its NurOwn technology platform, consisting of a range of products to treat neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), progressive multiple sclerosis, Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and autism spectrum disorder.
The company currently has a Phase 3 trial for using autologous MSC-NTF cells to treat ALS in six sites in the US.
7. Pluristem Therapeutics (NASDAQ:PSTI)
Market cap: US$54.52 million; current share price: US$3.47
This clinical-stage biotherapy company develops cell therapy to treat inflammation, ischemia, radiation damage and more. Pluristem develops placenta-derived off-the-shelf products.
The company produces its cells in a one-of-a-kind 3D bioreactor that resembles the environment of the human body. The bioreactor can generate the cells on a mass scale.
8. Caladrius Biosciences (NASDAQ:CLBS)
Market cap: US$27.56 million; current share price: US$2.65
In Caladrius Biosciences’ line of products are those that treat cardiovascular and autoimmune diseases.
The company currently has three product candidates for treating cardiovascular diseases based off of its CD34+ cell therapy platform. The first, CLBS12, has received SAKIGAKE designation in Japan and is thus is eligible to treat critical limb ischemia in Japan. It also received advanced medicinal product classification in Europe. The second, CLBS16, has the potential to treat coronary microvascular dysfunction in the US. The final, CLBS14, is entering a Phase 3 clinical program for refractory disabling angina.
9. VistaGen Therapeutics (NASDAQ:VTGN)
Market cap: US$18.64 million; current share price: US$0.43
This biopharmaceutical company is seeking to develop and commercialize new chemical entities with regenerative potential and cellular therapies involving stem cell-derived blood, cartilage, heart and liver cells. It also own the subsidiary VistaStem, which is focused on using human stem cell technology to make human health predictions.
10. ThermoGenesis Holdings (NASDAQ:THMO)
Market cap: US$7.95 million; current share price: US$3.29
ThermoGenesis develops and commercializes automated cell processing technologies geared towards cell and gene therapy. Its solutions target automated clinical biobanking, point-of-care applications and large scale cell processing for CAR T based immunotherapies.
The company’s CARTXpress platform streamlines how CAR T immunotherapies are manufactured.
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This is an updated version of an article first published on the Investing News Network in 2017.
Securities Disclosure: I, Jocelyn Aspa, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.