NOT FDA APPROVED...DR at Mayo said stay away from it. Most Ins don't cover it and it is pricey.

@edgineer, I have to agree with @waterboy. It is really important to be well informed when researching the stem cell therapy (regenerative medicine). There is a lot of promise with stem cell therapy, but where there is hope there is also hype. Regenerative medicine for lung disease is still in the early stages. However some institutes will claim success.

It can be really difficult to tell which stem cell therapies and regenerative medicine practices are effective and which institutions are offering evidence-based proven therapies. In fact, recently the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a stern warning against unproven stem cell therapies. The FDA issued these two press statements: https://www.fda.gov/newsevents/newsroom/pressannouncements/ucm573427.htm and https://www.fda.gov/newsevents/newsroom/pressannouncements/ucm573431.htm.

To help people learn more about the proven therapies and the promise of developing therapies, Mayo Clinic offers a free telephone consult service. When you call the consult service, they will tell you about the availability of approved stem cell therapy at Mayo Clinic and elsewhere, and for what conditions. They can also tell you about research studies that are actively recruiting participants. Furthermore, you can add your name to a database to be notified when additional studies and information become available. You can learn more about the Consult Service here http://www.mayo.edu/research/centers-programs/center-regenerative-medicine/patient-care/clinical-services/regenerative-medicine-consult-service.
Or call 1-844-276-2003 to speak with one of our experts.

@edgineer, Hi. You are right. Those two companies are happy to advise you. They are happy to take $9-$12,000 dollars from you also. There is a reason insurance companies won't cover this for lung therapy. I am sure you were trying to be helpful and offer resources. I have discussed this with experts in this field at the Mayo clinic. Stem cell research is currently being done there and does hold promise, but it is not there yet. You cannot inject or infuse stem cells to repair lungs. That does not work that way. I have read many patient's testimony on this site stating it did not work for them, and were out of a lot of $$$. Stem cells for lung repair will most likely be in the form of grafting your own t-cells into donor lungs for transplant to minimize rejection. There is even talk of 3-D printed lung scaffold (forms) with your t-cells grown over it for man-made lungs for transplant coming in the future. I know it is nice to offer people hope, but some get bilked. If people decide to give a lung stem cell institute a try; do your homework. Many are not accredited medical facilities, nor have proven, published documentation to back up their claims. There are legitimate stem cell therapies for other health situations, but lungs are not one of them.

@waterboy Right-on!