Adult Stem Cells
ESCs and iPS cells are types of stem cells made in the lab, while adult stem cells naturally occur in the human body. Adult stem cells are found in tissues or organs and primarily maintain and repair the tissue in which they are found. Some populations of adult stem cells are also thought to remain quiescent (non-dividing) in areas of the body called “niches” until they are activated by disease or tissue injury. Adult stem cells can renew themselves and can differentiate to yield the major specialized cell types of the tissue or organ. Some researchers are trying to grow adult stem cells in the laboratory for cell replacement therapy; however Fate Therapeutics is taking a different approach. Fate is using conventional drug discovery and iPS cell technology to identify small molecules that can specifically activate these adult stem cells in the body to repair and regenerate tissue.
OPPORTUNITY FOR INNOVATIVE MEDICINES
Fate’s scientific founders have demonstrated the potential of guiding cell fate to restore health and treat disease. The Company is exploring indications in hematology, metastatic cancer, traumatic injury and degenerative diseases.
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