Firm's patent could aid Parkinson's patients

OLDSMAR — Patients with degenerative diseases such as Parkinson's or Huntington's disease, or multiple sclerosis, may potentially benefit from a new patent issued to Saneron CCEL Therapeutics Inc. and the University of South Florida. The patent covers a method that may enable increased use of cord blood stem cells in medical therapies, according to a Saneron investor.

"This patent means that cord blood stem cells can now be used to treat neurological conditions for which there are few alternatives. Too often these valuable cells are disposed of as medical waste," says Linda Kelley, chief scientific officer with Oldsmar-based Cryo-Cell International (symbol: CCEL; recent price, $2.09) in a release.

The patent was awarded for a method of retrieval, incubation and transplantation of cells derived from umbilical cord blood, which can be used to treat neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's, as well as spinal cord and brain injuries. The patented method has the
potential to treat heart attacks and cardiovascular diseases as well, according to Kelley.