Dr. Wise Young faces next hurdle to bringing long-awaited SCI clinical trials to reality

Dr. Wise Young

To watch the 70-year-old renowned researcher Dr. Wise Young talk about a lifetime of work to finally bring to the U.S. clinical trials of the umbilical cord blood mononuclear cell transplants for people with chronic and complete spinal cord injuries is both exhilarating as well as full of angst. The man who has devoted more than half his life to find the ultimate treatment, to help the segment of the SCI community that often feels forgotten and left behind, can see the finish line to the ultimate prize: to start the long-awaited clinical trials here in the U.S.

We have written extensively about Wise’s (the unassuming doc prefers to be called by his first name) extensive research before. We even hosted him in-person in April of 2019 at an event in San Jose and then a month ago, as part of a virtual Open House. More recently, we helped connect our good friends at the Southern California-based Triumph Foundation with Wise’s office in order to bring another virtual presentation last Friday.

Wise spoke extensively about the most recent challenges he has faced. Just as everything was falling into place for a potential launch of the trials in April, the COVID-19 pandemic brought everything to a halt. Additionally, the investors behind the $5.5 million that would take to enroll 27 subjects in the trials have gotten cold feet, leaving the entire work of his in a limbo though he is quick to point out that one way or another, he’d raise the money himself if some of the other funding options he’s pursuing fail to materialize.

NorCal SCI will continue to monitor and report on the latest news involving these unprecedented clinical trials.

The FDA has granted approval for this clinical trial with 27 subjects. In order to qualify for this trial, you must have a complete injury (ASIA A only) between C5 and T11, be injured more than 1 year, 18-64 yrs old. Neurosurgeons are reluctant to inject above C5 because of the phrenic nucleus which if damaged, it could result in diaphragm paralysis preventing the individual from being able to regulate breathing on his or her own. Dr. Young plans to have a separate trial for high quads after this one. There is no cost to participate in a clinical trial, but if selected, you would have to cover the cost of lodging and transportation in NJ for 6 months. Send e-mail to Jim Bennett who will add you to his list to be alerted when recruitment begins: jimbenn@rutgers.edu