Cytori Looks for Fat Profits

The stem cell industry is known for making big promises. But the pledge made by Cytori (CYTX Quote) -- an obscure name in this sometimes overhyped field -- really stands out.

"Our goal is to be not only one of the first revenue-generating stem cell companies but also to be the first profitable one," says Cytori CEO Christopher Calhoun. "It's something we're targeting to do sooner rather than later. ... You won't hear that from others."

To be sure, Cytori seems to face a shorter path than most. As rival stem cell players, such as Geron (GERN Quote), pursue new drugs that could be years -- if not decades -- away, Cytori is seeking near-term approval of its own products through the less arduous process established for medical devices. The company hopes to secure regulatory permission to start selling its first breakthrough treatment, involving stem cells extracted from a patient's own fat, by the end of this year. ...