Athersys Inc. (Nasdaq: ATHX), a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing an innovative stem cell platform, similar to companies like Mesoblast (MSB: ASX), Osiris (Nasdaq: OSIR) and ThermoGenesis Corp (Nasdaq: KOOL), recently announced that its CEO would deliver the keynote address at the World Stem Cell Summit 2011.
Gil Van Bokkelen, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Athersys, Inc. (Nasdaq:ATHX) and Chairman of the Alliance for Regenerative Medicine based in Washington D.C., will deliver a keynote address during the 7th Annual World Stem Cell Summit in Pasadena, California. His address, entitled “The Transformational Potential of Regenerative Medicine, and How It Will Change Healthcare As We Know It,” will be given at 11:15am PDT on Tuesday, October 4, 2011.
The World Stem Cell Summit is an annual event that brings together international leaders in the field to present and discuss some of the exciting progress being made to develop new therapies to treat significant unmet diseases and conditions. Athersys is recognized as an international leader in the field of stem cells and regenerative medicine, which many believe could have a substantial impact on medicine in the coming years.
“We are delighted to provide a platform to Gil Van Bokkelen who is one of the preeminent leaders of the regenerative medicine industry. Athersys is a model company in this burgeoning field and Dr. Van Bokkelen’s insights are highly valued by the Summit audience,” said Bernie Siegel, Executive Director of the Genetics Policy Institute, and Co-Chair of the World Stem Cell Summit. “International interest in stem cells and regenerative medicine has never been higher, and this event is a great opportunity to learn about the exciting progress that is being made, as well as some of the challenges facing the field.”
Athersys currently has four clinical stage programs involving MultiStem(R), which is a novel and proprietary candidate therapy being developed to treat cardiovascular disease, neurological conditions, and certain inflammatory & immune disorders. Current clinical stage programs involve the administration of MultiStem to treat patients that have suffered damage from acute medical conditions, such as a heart attack or ischemic stroke, or chronic immune conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease, which is being developed in partnership with Pfizer. The Company also has an ongoing clinical trial to provide treatment support to patients with leukemia or related conditions.
“Innovation is key to addressing many of the fundamental challenges we face in healthcare, and substantial progress is being made in the field of regenerative medicine and stem cell therapy. In addition to the programs at Athersys, there are now dozens of ongoing clinical trials exploring the potential for stem cell and regenerative medicine technology in major areas of unmet medical need,” said Dr. Van Bokkelen. “This is an area that could have a profound impact on medicine in the next several years, by improving clinical outcomes, enhancing patient quality of life, and improving the cost effectivenss of health care.”
Presented by the Genetics Policy Institute, the World Stem Cell Summit brings together leaders in research, business, advocacy, finance, law and ethics to chart the future of regenerative medicine. This year’s summit, which will run from October 3 through 5, is co-organized by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, City of Hope, Cedars-Sinai Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and the Consulate General of Canada in Los Angeles, as well as over 225 sponsors, supporting organizations and media partners.
The 2011 program will feature more than 150 speakers with themes covering a wide range of topics including stem cell tourism, advances in wound care, stem cell politics, the multibillion dollar business potential, treatment progress in major disease areas, and the impact of regenerative medicine on improving healthy lifespan. For more information on the 2011 World Stem Cell Summit, please visit www.worldstemcellsummit.com/summit-agenda .
About Athersys, Inc.
Athersys is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery and development of therapeutic product candidates designed to extend and enhance the quality of human life. The Company is developing MultiStem(R), a patented, adult-derived “off-the-shelf” stem cell product platform for multiple disease indications, including damage caused by myocardial infarction, bone marrow transplantation and oncology treatment support, ischemic stroke, and inflammatory bowel disease. The Company also has developed a portfolio of other therapeutic programs, including orally active pharmaceutical product candidates for the treatment of metabolic and central nervous system disorders, utilizing proprietary technologies, including Random Activation of Gene Expression (RAGE(R)). Athersys has forged several key strategic alliances and collaborations with leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, as well as world-renowned research institutions in the United States and Europe to further develop its platform and products. More information is available at www.athersys.com .
The Alliance for Regenerative Medicine (ARM) is a Washington, DC-based non-profit organization that promotes legislative, regulatory, reimbursement, and financing initiatives designed to facilitate the development of and 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 organizations, which includes companies, leading research and clinical institutions, disease foundations, patient advocacy groups, and others. Prior to the formation of ARM, there was no advocacy organization operating in Washington, DC to specifically represent the interests of institutions, investors, and patient groups supporting policies that will incentivize the development and adoption of technologies in the field of regenerative medicine. To learn more about ARM or to become a member, visit www.alliancerm.org .
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