University of California-Irvine will establish a skin biology resource center after receiving nearly $4 million from the National Institutes of Health.
“Our goal is to discover fundamental mechanisms that may ultimately become important in improving the understanding and treatment of skin diseases,” the center’s new director, Dr. Bogi Andersen, said in a statement.
The research, provided by the NIH’s Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, will focus on regulatory mechanisms in skin biology, including in epidermal stem cells, epidermal differentiation, pigment cells and skin vascular biology.
The center, one of six in the nation, will provide shared resources with scientists from five schools at the campus: physical sciences, information and computer sciences, biological sciences, engineering and medicine. It will also collaborate with entities such as the Sue & Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center, the Institute for Clinical & Translational Science and the Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Arthur Lander, the Donald Bren professor of developmental and cell biology in the School of Biological Sciences, will be associate director. Others also in leadership roles are Suzanne Sandmeyer, vice dean for research in the School of Medicine; Enrico Gratton, professor of biomedical engineering in the School of Engineering; Xing Dai, professor of biological chemistry in the School of Medicine; and Anand Ganesan, associate professor of dermatology and biological chemistry in the School of Medicine.
“This center will have a major impact on a wide array of NIH-funded research programs and make a significant contribution to our institution’s long-range biomedical research goals of translating our basic science discoveries into diagnostics, therapeutics and treatments for a range of human disorders, including those that impact skin biology,” said Pramod Khargonekar, vice chancellor for research.
Presbia Stock Delisted
Presbia PLC (Nasdaq: LENS) was delisted from the Nasdaq on April 25 and trading of its ordinary shares was suspended. It last traded at 32 cents each and a $5.5 million market cap.
The ophthalmic company, founded in 2014, developed a presbyopia-correcting lens called Presbia Flexivue Microlens. It has its administrative office and manufacturing in Irvine
The device, its only product, received European CE mark approval in 2016, but not from the Food and Drug Administration.
“Based on recent conversation and correspondence with the FDA, the company has determined the FDA will not be willing to grant the company’s pending application for premarket approval for the company’s microlens product,” according to Securities and Exchange filings.
While the regulatory agency granted the company an extension of time through Sept. 30 to complete its 36-month clinical study and provide additional information to satisfy its premarket approval application, Presbia said it lacks resources and additional capital. It will need an investor or strategic partner to continue the process.
In connection with the decision, its board of directors has approved a partial reduction of its business in the U.S. Approximately three employees or contractors will be retained at its Irvine location to find an investor or strategic partner.
It’s deciding whether to continue a trial and premarket application or to sell its intellectual property and related assets.
A year ago, the company reported 24 employees and a $44 million market cap.
