Going "Long Life"
By
Patrick CoxFor the first time in history, we are seeing a rapidly emerging medical technology with the power to dramatically extend life spans. As a result, no technology on Earth has greater potential for investors.
To quickly review, stem cells are unique in human biology. Unlike all other cells, they are immortal and can be programmed, or potentiated, to replace any aging or damaged cell. Whether you want new skin, a new heart, new knee cartilage or new eyes, all these things are theoretically possible using stem cells therapies.
There were, however, two serious barriers to this exciting technology. The most obvious was that the only source of stem cells was embryos. This not only raised ethical questions, but it raised the possibility that stem cell therapies would require immune system repression. Just a year ago, many scientists believed these barriers were insurmountable. Stem cell therapies were in the same class as jet packs and flying cars. As a result, Big Pharma shied away from the partnerships that new scientific fields usually enjoy.
Then, last year, the entire picture changed. In rapid succession, five groups of scientists proved that adult cells could be reprogrammed to become stem cells using four transformative genes. The mechanism for introducing these genes into the adult cells was viruses.
Let me explain.
Viruses can't reproduce on their own. They invade host cells and hijack their genetic mechanisms. In effect, they inject their own genetic code into host cells to duplicate themselves. By attaching these four transformative genes to the viruses, scientist tricked them into genetically reprogramming adult cells into stem cells.
These revolutionary new cells are called induced pluripotent stem, or iPS, cells. They are identical to embryonic stem cells. Mouse skin cells were transformed to iPS cells. They were then allowed to continue developing into living mice. Still, however, skeptics doubted that the almost alchemical power of stem cells had finally been released. The reason was that the virus used for producing these iPS cells was a retrovirus.
Retroviruses are associated with cancers and remnants lingered in the iPS cells. Obviously, therefore, the FDA would not allow their use in human therapies.
At the time, I predicted that the problem was temporary and would be worked out in a few years. I was wrong: It took months. A few weeks ago, Harvard researchers announced they had transformed adult cells into iPS cells using the adenovirus. The virus used was referred to in the press as a cold virus because it produces symptoms similar to those of the common rhinovirus. After a few cell divisions, it is completely deactivated.
This is amazing, astonishing news. I don't have room here to go over even a few of the implications of this momentous breakthrough. I will remind you, however, that stem cells can be programmed to replace any cells in your body with perfect, youthful versions. Think about what that means. The financial implications for investors are staggering.
Harvard's stem cell biologist Konrad Hochedlinger said, "I have never seen a field move forward as fast as this one." That's an understatement. In practical terms, this breakthrough means that right now, we could take a little of your blood and clone you. At this very moment, scientists have the ability to rejuvenate your heart and vascular tree. Not only that, but the telomere length of these replacement cells will have a longer life span than your heart and arteries had on the day you were born.
Few people know this and, consequently, few understand the virtually unlimited potential for both our species, in general, and early investors in this space, in particular.
There is another reason to expect stem cell stocks to increase in value. The cold virus breakthrough prompted pharma giant Pfizer (NYSE:PFE ) to announce a major new emphasis on stem cell science. Pfizer's previous timidity was caused by ethical concerns that arose from using stem cells lines derived from human embryos. Now that this issue is moot, Pfizer has jumped into the field with both feet, fully clothed.
Pfizer's executive director of global research and development John McNeish said, "These cells will be tremendous in drug discovery. They will help us understand personalized medicine, genetic variation, ethnic populations, what biomarkers to follow." Later on, McNeish says, Pfizer will market stem cells to rejuvenate aging and damaged organs and tissue. Insiders consider this the tipping point the industry has been waiting for.
We can expect that, finally, the holders of important stem cell patents will form partnerships with big pharmaceuticals. This has always been the pattern with biotech.
Adding to the excitement, another remarkable event has just taken place that will benefit companies in the RNAi space, though the benefits are a few years out. That's the price drop on a complete genetic blueprint I talked about above. The company, Complete Genomics, says it will map your DNA for $5,000 next year. Moreover, I expect the price tag will drop to $1,000 within another two years.
At this price, gene mapping makes sense for the individual, the industry and insurers. For individuals, gene mapping could enable preventative therapies for genetic diseases. Insurers will also see cost savings here and Pharma will accelerate genetic research as part of drug development. The more DNA maps there are, the faster researchers will be able to identify the genetic causes of both diseases and resistance.
Because RNAi gives us the ability to switch individual genes on or off, RNAi companies stand to benefit massively from an increased understanding of our genome. The more maps correlated to medical histories that exist, the more we will know - and, unbelievably, the faster progress will be made.
Investors looking to go "long life" might like to consider this the investment of a lifetime.
