A few weeks ago you had a chance to ask Shawn Hastings, President of Reparre Biologic, about the future of stem-cell therapy and personalized DNA medicine. Reparre has been in the news recently after they unveiled their prototype next-generation medical equipment. Their portable medical station and handheld injectors have huge implications for people in remote areas and the future of battlefield medicine. Below you’ll find his answers to your questions.
TerryH writes:How is the technology in the portable station different from the handheld injectors?
Shawn: The portable med station and the injectors work using the same technology. Both use our patented, personalized stem cells to address a wide variety of ailments. The real difference between the two is the number of patients and number of uses that each can treat. The injectors are for single use on one unique patient. After a small amount of blood is extracted the injector’s internal systems analyze the specific patient DNA and create a tailored therapy for that individual. Once the injector has been used up it can’t be refilled. They have been designed for emergency use. The portable stations work the same way but have multiple lines for multiple patients and can be used many times before needing to be recharged.
Burgerthyme writes:How long have you been testing these things on people? How long did the animal trials last?
Shawn: All of our devices are tested in ASTM & ISO accredited labs following all the rules and regulations under FDA oversight. It’s a long process. We started FDA supervised trials 5 years ago. Believe it or not that isn’t that long for a medical device. In fact we’ve been fast-tracked through much of the process because the regulators recognize how big of a step forward this technology is. We’re not completely through the process yet, but everything points to the final trials being over soon without any negative effects noted so far.
Pocketcommander writes:Does it concern you at all that your portable med station looks like a hookah? What would you say to children who think it looks cool and ruin their lives with drugs because of your poor design choices?
Shawn: To be honest we’ve focused more on function than the looks of our devices. It’s also missing a bowl so I’m not sure how accurate the comparison is. No, it doesn’t bother us at all. What would I say to the kids? I guess, stay in school so you don’t end up like Pocketcommander.
Brownbetty writes:Could this technology be used to bring back extinct animals like a mammoth or a rhinoceros?
Shawn: While I’m sure this technology would be able to heal injuries in these animals if you discovered a live one, without a way to gestate a baby it wouldn’t work. We’re in the medical business not the bringing back dinosaurs for an amusement park business. Besides, that plan never worked out well in those movies. It’s an interesting thought experiment though.
Howardthegoose writes:I’ve read about this technology being used to get rid of wrinkles and grey hair. Will getting medical help with one of your units also make you look younger?
Shawn: Yes, one of the more interesting side effects noted in our press release is this outward “rejuvenation” process. Preliminary tests show that this youth process might also extend to other tissue types and body systems but it’s too early to say for sure. But yes, subjects have found that lines, wrinkles, and fading hair color have all been reversed after being treated by our technology. It’s not a side effect that any of us had anticipated but it’s turned into a great problem to have.
Knighttime writes:What conditions can be fixed/healed with this technology? Can it fix things like heavy metal poisoning?
Shawn: The devices can be used to fix a wide variety of ailments from cuts and scrapes to damaged organs and bones. In addition, the technology allows the body to fight off diseases and cleanse itself of toxins at a rapid rate. In addition, as I’ve noted above it appears that there might also be effects on the aging process. I’m not saying that we’ve created the Fountain of Youth, but the implications are exciting. We also haven’t studied how effective the treatment would be for long-term ailments, like lead poisoning over a course of years. For recent exposures it appears to be very effective.
Grabbage writes:In addition to fixing bones and healing gashes, I’ve read that there is a possibility that new limbs or digits could be regrown using this technology. Is that true and does that extend to genitals? If so, could those missing genitals be grown back bigger? Asking for a friend.
Shawn: Thanks for your question Grabbage. It is true that we’ve had some early success with regenerating parts of fingers and toes, but a whole arm is still a bridge too far. I’m unaware of any specific study we’ve done on growing bigger penises, and I’m the guy who would know. The best advice I’d have for you, I mean your friend, is to work with what you have. Besides, I hear size isn’t important. I don’t personally hear that. I’ve just heard it said.
Braddick writes:How many people can be treated at a time with the med station? Could you theoretically make a huge one to treat hundreds at a time?
Shawn: Our current model can treat up to 6 patients at a time. Assuming the trials continue to go well we have plans to make units able to treat twice that amount. Our modeling shows that anything bigger starts to reduce the efficacy and efficiency of the device. Just think of how tangled the cords get behind your entertainment center. Now imagine that there are a hundred of them and each is treating a life threatening ailment. We feel strongly that smaller and simpler is better in this case.
Worktime writes:How long before this kind of technology gets cheap enough that your average local hospital has one of these?
Shawn: It’s going to be a while before you’re going to find one of our devices in a local med-center. I can’t see a practical use for our injectors right now other than a military one. Loading up emergency service crews with them isn’t going to be economically feasible. I imagine we are still 5-10 years out before a high end facility installs one. Once we’ve refined our manufacturing process and the public sees how fast and effective this technology is…..I can’t imagine that any health care facility wouldn’t have one in the near future.
BridgetT writes:Why have you accepted funding from Veilcorp? Is it true that all of your chemicals are provided by a subsidiary? Does their long history of political and environmental abuses concern you?
Shawn:
We’ve accepted funding from a number of sources, including Veilcorp. Frankly, I think you’d be hard pressed to find a new venture, especially one involving technology, that hasn’t taken some money from the company. Veilcorp is huge and a force in driving innovation. Do I agree with everything Oeming and company do? Of course not, but our experience to date has been nothing but positive. So far I’ve gotten the impression that their negative press is mostly due to their size and not any bad intentions.
Lancalittle writes:This seems like a giant step forward that could help billions ultimately. Why did you choose to involve the military and not seek out more altruistic funding avenues.
Shawn: In a perfect world man’s better nature would push innovation but we don’t live in a perfect world. To be clear I think the military is getting unfair attention in this regard. Our technology in no way hurts, maims, or kills anyone. In fact it does the opposite. If the military wants to come up with a way to heal the flesh and mend the bones of the brave men and women who give selflessly to their country so that they can live happy and productive lives; I think it’s great. I honestly don’t understand why so many people, especially in the media, want to put a negative spin on things. I guess it gets eyeballs, but I think the military should be lauded for their vision in helping to fund research in this area.
Turk writes:Taking into account how many this could help, have you considered just giving the technology away once you’ve recouped your funding? I’d imagine you’d go down in history.
Shawn: With all due respect, I’m sure we’ve already cemented our place in history. Our technology is amazing and will change the world. In the near future there will be no disease, wound, or pathology that can’t be effectively treated thanks to our breakthrough. Like I noted above we live in the real world, not an ideal one. We are a corporation not a charity. We have a fiduciary responsibility to our stockholders. Having said that, we are at the beginning of the change our technology will spur in mankind. I have every confidence that this science will lead to a better world for all.
