Alliance for Regenerative Medicine Holds Clinical Outlooks for Regenerative Medicine Meeting in Partnership with Harvard Stem Cell Institute

– May 3, 2012

WASHINGTON, DC, May 3, 2011 – The Alliance for Regenerative Medicine (ARM), the international organization representing the interests of the regenerative medicine community, today announced it will hold a conference titled, Clinical Outlooks for Regenerative Medicine 2012, in partnership with Harvard Stem Cell Institute on June 19, 2012. The meeting, being held at The Starr Center, Schepens Eye Research Institute, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA, will assemble a group of ~200 leading regenerative medicine executives, clinicians and investigators from major research establishments and companies to discuss how these technologies are transforming the practice of medicine.

Pioneering stem cell researcher, George Q. Daley, M.D., Ph.D. will provide a keynote address at the conference.  Dr. Daley is director of the Stem Cell Transplantation Program at HHMI/Children’s Hospital Boston; professor of Biomedical Chemistry/Molecular Pharmacology and Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Stem Cell Institute and Manton Center for Orphan Disease Research.

This event aims to enhance the understanding of key issues facing regenerative medicine products as they approach the marketplace.  Disease areas to be reviewed will include ophthalmology, metabolic diseases (including diabetes), neurodegenerative disease and spinal cord injury, cardiovascular disease and wound healing.

“This meeting exemplifies the interaction among scientists, clinicians and industry that is necessary to successfully bring regenerative medicine to the clinic, and ultimately, to the market,” said Brock Reeve, Executive Director, Harvard Stem Cell Institute.

Confirmed speakers include representatives from Advanced BioHealing, a Shire Company, Advanced Cell Technologies, Athersys, InVivo Therapeutics, Johnson & Johnson, Organogenesis and StemCells, Inc.  In addition, the following researchers and clinicians are confirmed to speak:

Ellen Feigal, M.D., Senior Vice President, Research and Development, California Institute for Regenerative Medicine

Richard Lee, M.D., Professor, Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Leader, Cardiovascular Program, Harvard Stem Cell Institute; Cardiologist, Brigham and Women’s Hospital

Peter Lomedico, Ph.D., Director, Industry Partnerships, Cure Therapies, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundations

Marc Penn, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.C., Director, Research, Summa Cardiovascular Institute; Physician, Cardiovascular, Internal Medicine, Summa Akron City Hospital; Professor, Integrative Medical Sciences; Northeast Ohio Medical University

Jane Sowden, Ph.D., Professor, Developmental Biology and Genetics, Developmental Biology Unit; Group Leader, Eye Development and Repair Group, University College London Institute of Child Health

Michael Young, Ph.D., Associate Scientist and de Gunzburg Director, Minda de
Gunzburg Research Center for Ocular Regeneration, Schepens Eye Research Institute; Associate Professor, Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School

“This conference will provide a unique opportunity to hear directly from clinicians and investigators who have experience with regenerative medicine therapies on the market and in late stage development, and understand the potential of these products to revolutionize patient care,” said Gil Van Bokkelen, Ph.D., Chairman of ARM and CEO of Athersys.

To learn more and to register for the conference, please visit https://alliancerm.wufoo.com/forms/clinical-outlooks-for-regenerative-medicine/.  Complimentary registration is available for credentialed members of the media and HSCI affiliated clinicians and researchers.

About The Alliance for Regenerative Medicine

The Alliance for Regenerative Medicine (ARM) is a Washington, DC-based non-profit organization that promotes legislative, regulatory, reimbursement, and financing initiatives necessary to facilitate access to life-giving advances in regenerative medicine. ARM also works to increase public understanding of the field and its potential to transform human healthcare, and provides services to support the growth of its member companies and organizations. Prior to the formation of ARM, there was no advocacy organization operating in Washington, DC to specifically represent the interests of regenerative medicine companies, research institutions, investors, and patient groups supporting more rapid adoption of technologies in our field. To learn more about ARM or to become a member, visit www.alliancerm.org.

About Harvard Stem Cell Institute

The Harvard Stem Cell Institute (HSCI) is a scientific collaborative established to investigate the complex biology and therapeutic potential of stem cells. With over 200 faculty members at Harvard and its 11 affiliated hospitals, HSCI supports cutting-edge science through sponsoring research projects, operating core facilities, managing events and offering training opportunities.