Firm client, Los Angeles-based Capricor, was featured in a story on CBS Evening News national broadcast which focused on Capricor’s proprietary mix of stem cells derived from adult (non-embryonic) cardiac tissue. The report showed evidence that these stem cells can regenerate damaged areas of the heart and improve heart function. Findings were presented at a meeting of the American Heart Association on November 14.
Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP has been representing Capricor since 2007, with Orange County partner Salima Merani, Ph.D., and associate Jason Gersting, Ph.D., protecting Capricor’s intellectual property rights. Capricor’s team of world-renowned cardiac stem cell researchers and advisory board members includes co-founders Eduardo Marbán, M.D., Ph.D., and CEO Linda Marbán, Ph.D.
“It is a privilege to work with Drs. Linda and Eduardo Marbán and their team on this innovative and game-changing technology,” said Dr. Merani. “The Marbáns’ commitment to saving lives is an inspiration and their cutting-edge research is phenomenal.”
The CBS report followed Ken Milles, who suffered a serious heart attack two years ago. With 30 percent of his heart damaged at age 39, Mr. Milles faced a lifetime of limited energy and shortness of breath and thus volunteered to be the first person to receive an infusion of heart stem cells. Using healthy tissue from Mr. Milles own heart, Dr. Eduardo Marbán coaxed the heathy tissue into millions of stem cells in a laboratory. He then administered the stem cells into the damaged area of Mr. Milles’ heart, with the goal of repairing itself and beating more strongly.
Mr. Milles was among 25 volunteers for this study. Of the 17 subjects who received stem cells, all recipients had their heart attack scars reduced on average almost 50 percent and replaced by new healthy heart tissue. The eight control subjects saw no improvement.
With over 275 lawyers and scientists nationwide, Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP dedicates its practice to all aspects of intellectual property law including litigation. Consistently ranked among the top intellectual property firms worldwide, Knobbe Martens serves a diverse group of clients from multinational corporations to emerging businesses of all stages. Headquartered in Orange County, California, Knobbe Martens also has offices in San Diego, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Francisco, Silicon Valley, Seattle and Washington, D.C. More information about the firm can be found at www.knobbe.com
