Supporters of State Stem Cell Agency Might Seek Ballot Measure in 2014

Supporters of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine could seek a ballot measure in 2014 to raise up to $4 billion for the agency, the Contra Costa Times reports.

The agency will exhaust its current supply of money in about five years.

Background on CIRM

CIRM was created in 2004 after voters approved Proposition 71, which provided $3 billion in funding.

Since then, CIRM has doled out $1.3 billion to finance studies involving embryonic and adult stem cells. The agency also has helped to establish research facilities.

A 2010 report from an international panel of experts and scientists found that CIRM had produced results in a short amount of time and drawn more than 100 researchers to the state. However, the report noted that the institute needed to do more to carry out its mission to develop innovative treatments.

Some CIRM critics have said the agency has paid its executives excessively and has awarded too much funding to entities that have connections to board members (Johnson, Contra Costa Times, 12/8).

CIRM Funds Additional Projects

In related news, the CIRM governing board on Thursday voted to invest $27 million into stem cell research initiatives.

The agency will allocate about $15 million for an "external innovation initiative" that aims to connect stem cell researchers in California with researchers in other states.

The agency also will provide $12 million in "bridge" funds for projects that already receive CIRM funding (Leuty, "Biotech SF," San Francisco Business Times, 12/8).