Lawsuit alleges businesses sold fraudulent stem cell therapy to 250 Iowans totaling $1M

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird sued two businesses and their owners for allegedly selling fraudulent stem cell therapy treatments to more than 250 Iowans.

The lawsuit filed against Biologics Health LLC, Summit Partners Group LLC and owners Rylee Meek and Scott Thomas alleges the defendants falsely advertised stem cell therapy and its effectiveness. It further claims the defendants violated the Consumer Fraud Act and regulations involving door-to-door sale transactions.

The defendants are accused of targeting older residents through the mail saying that stem cell therapy could provide a life without pain and could repair back or joint pain.

The average Iowan paid $9,000 for the service, totaling more than $1 million, according to the lawsuit.

In a 2019 warning to consumers about stem cell therapy, the Food and Drug Administration said "doctors routinely use stem cells that come from bone marrow or blood in transplant procedures to treat patients with cancer and disorders of the blood and immune system."

Though researchers hope that one day stem cells will be an effective treatment for many conditions and diseases, it has not been proven safe and effective for most medical conditions, according to the FDA. The only stem cell-based products approved by the FDA are for the treatment of specific disorders involved in the production of blood, the warning said.

Yet the defendants allegedly continued to repeat the inflated health benefits during live dinner seminars hosted all over the state. Sales representatives went to the homes of consumers for a "pre screening" and to finalize the sale. After payment, the defendants contracted a nurse practitioner to perform stem cell injections and IVs in consumers' homes, the lawsuit said.

Some misleading claims, according to the lawsuit, include that stem cells could "seek out" problems in the human body and repair or regenerate damaged tissue with only some minor flu like symptoms as a possible side effect.

“Taking advantage of Iowans suffering from health issues is illegal and dangerous,” Bird said in a news release. “Iowans should not have to fear being ripped off for fake stem cell therapies that expose them to major health risks, such as life-threatening blood infections, blindness, and tumor formation."

With the lawsuit, Bird said she wants the defendants to reimburse all Iowans who paid for the therapy, acquire a court order permanently blocking the fraudulent activity in Iowa, and award civil penalties, attorney fees and costs, the news release said.

More information on the FDA's warning about stem cell therapies can be found here.

Tips from Bird's office on how to avoid health care scams

• Talk to a doctor or health care professional before considering any unusual or new health product/ treatment.

• Be skeptical of phrases like "scientific breakthrough," "secret," "miraculous," quick and easy" or "ancient" because they are oftentimes used in fraud cases.

• Think twice about products that claim they cure a wide range of diseases with little to no downsides.

• Remember that few diseases or conditions can be treated quickly.

• Be skeptical of testimonials, even from celebrities.

• Do not abandon proven treatments in favor of untested ones.

Noelle Alviz-Gransee is a breaking news reporter at the Des Moines Register. Follow her on Twitter@NoelleHannika or email her at NAlvizGransee@registermedia.com.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Brenna Bird alleges business sold $1 million in fake stem cell therapy