Primitive neural stem cells and method for differentiation of stem cells to neural cells

Patent Number: 7,211,434

Generation of neurons and neuronal committed cells from embryonic stem cells has been extensively documented by separation of cells from embryoid bodies. However the generation of embryoid bodies from embryonic stem cells is subject to US patent #"6602711":https://www.stemcellpatents.com/patents-show-373 which is owned by WARF and licensed to Geron. So while the whole world is trying to invalidate the ES composition of matter patents, a patent such as the generation of embryoid bodies, which is currently ignored, could act as a potential landmine.

The patent discussed today could overcome this. The patent teaches methods of generating neural stem cells from embryonic stem cells without the step of embryoid body formation.

The main independent claims cover:

1. A method for generating a neural cell by culturing embryonic stem cells in a feeder free and serum free culture and "allowing" for the differentiation.

2. Producing secondary colonies of neural stem cells by subcloning the neural stem cells obtained from the embryonic stem cells.

3. Method of screening differentiation inducers.

The specification and dependent claims state the generation of neural cells without the stem of embryoid body formation. Accordingly this patent should be inlicensed strategically to fight off WARF/Geron by competitors.

View this patent on the USPTO website.