The Alliance for Regenerative Medicine Welcomes New Vice Chairman Matthew Patterson, President and CEO, Audentes Therapeutics

According to a recent news published on yahoo, The Alliance for Regenerative Medicine (ARM), the international advocacy organization representing the gene and cellular therapies and broader regenerative medicine sector, announced today that Matthew Patterson, president and CEO, Audentes Therapeutics, Inc., has been named vice chairman of ARM, effective immediately.

Mr. Patterson currently serves as a member of ARM's board of directors, providing insights regarding the strategic direction and key priorities of the organization. Mr. Patterson succeeds previous ARM Vice Chairman Dr. Robert Preti, who has recently stepped into the role of ARM chairman, following Edward Lanphier's retirement as president and CEO of Sangamo BioSciences in early June.

Mr. Patterson has more than 20 years of experience in the research, development and commercialization of innovative treatments for rare diseases and has held positions of senior management in both private and public biotechnology companies. Mr. Patterson is the co-founder of Audentes and has served as president and CEO since the Company's inception in November 2012. Previously, Mr. Patterson worked for Amicus Therapeutics, BioMarin Pharmaceutical and Genzyme Corporation. Prior to Audentes he was an Entrepreneur-In-Residence with OrbiMed, the world's largest health-care dedicated investment firm. Audentes Therapeutics is focused on the development and commercialization of gene therapy products for serious, life-threatening rare diseases. 

"ARM is delighted to welcome Matt into the role of vice chairman. He brings significant expertise in the development of breakthrough therapies for rare genetic disorders and a keen understanding of the potential for AAV gene therapy to address these unmet medical needs," said Morrie Ruffin, managing director of ARM. "His deep biotech background and entrepreneurial experience is an asset to our organization and provides an essential perspective within ARM's leadership." 

"The Alliance for Regenerative Medicine fulfills a unique and important role within the gene therapy, cell therapy and regenerative medicine community, providing a forum to ensure the successful development and future availability of innovative new treatments for patients," said Mr. Patterson. "I welcome this opportunity to expand my leadership role within the organization by serving as vice chairman at a time of real opportunity for this field of medicine."

Source: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/alliance-regenerative-medicine-welcomes-vice-130000830.html

Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy - A Promissing Treatment

According to a recent article posted on Deccanchronicle, among the groundbreaking medical techniques that have come to the fore to heal several chronic medical conditions, Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy (PRP) shows a promising treatment for several musculoskeletal injuries and dermatological conditions. The advanced and innovative technique is safe and is rapidly gaining ground in India.

“PRP is a simple, non-surgical treatment that uses cutting-edge technology with the body’s natural ability to heal itself. It involves extraction and centrifugation of the blood that allows platelet-rich plasma to separate. Platelets contain hormones that promote growth and healing,” explains Dr Shuba Dharmana, cosmetic dermatologist, hair transplant surgeon and founder/CEO of LeJeune Group of MedSpas.

Stem cell therapy and PRP therapy are among the advanced regenerative treatments, which are often confused with each other.

“They both have very different properties. While stem cells have the ability to differentiate and form new cells, platelets are a small fragment of blood cells, which help in clotting and augmenting the healing process. The growth factors present in the platelets simulate the cells essential for faster recovery,” says Dr Upendra Srinivas, lab director, hematologist, Continental Hospitals.

Skin Rejuvenation

PRP therapy has also attracted attention in the field of dermatology for its regenerative properties. “Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy is used in cosmetic dermatology for acne scars and anti-aging. A patient using PRP will be able to avoid more invasive procedures. It is showing impressive results and is helpful in reducing lines, wrinkles, acne scars and also builds collagen. PRP stimulates the body’s natural healing mechanism by releasing growth factors,” says Dharmana.

Hair Restoration

The natural, alternative medical procedure has shown promising treatment for hair loss. Dharmana explains a PRP injection stimulates new growth, increases density, thickens the diameter of existing follicles and strengthens the roots because of new healing cycle that allows for new cell growth and restoration.

“PRP is done using a very fine needle just under the surface of the skin with multiple punctures. 3-5 sessions are necessary for hair treatment,” says Singh.

Diabetic Foot Ulcer

Foot ulcers can be painful as the healing process could be slow in diabetics. PRP is known to simulate cell multiplication and differentiation, which improves tissue healing and regeneration. “PRP injections also benefit planned patients and post-radiotherapy patients as an adjuvant therapy. However, it cannot claim to be the sole therapeutic modality in these medical conditions,” says Singh.

Path to Healing

As body’s first line of defense, platelets are mainly responsible for clotting to occur when a person bleeds. When platelets come in contact with the collagen fibers of the cut portion of the blood vessel (wound/injury), they release restorative chemicals that jump start the rehabilitation process. A PRP injection intensifies the restoration as it has high concentrations of platelets that are replete with growth factors.

Benefits

As a non-surgical treatment, PRP therapy reduces pain and provides intermediate long-term relief. Patients face less risk of infection or allergic reactions as the platelets are of one’s blood. It is a short procedure without having to go through general anesthesia or a prolonged recovery.

Source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com/lifestyle/health-and-wellbeing/080816/effective-healing-with-prp-therapy.html

Regenerative medicine today is like the internet in 1993!

An article published in Techcrunch says that, Robin Smith, co-founder CEO of ORIG3N, a regenerative medical company that has crowdsourced blood samples to create the world’s biggest and most diverse bio-repository.

According to Smith, regenerative medicine is the next big thing in medical science — so disruptive, in fact, that he says it’s akin to the Internet in 1993.

No wonder, then, that ORIG3N has already raised over $15 million with the last December’s $15 million round from healthcare specialists Hatteras Venture Partners and Syno Capital.

Given all the recent controversy over Theranos, the issue of the regulation of regenerative medicine is, of course, really salient.

But according to Smith, we don’t need massive new regulation for an revolutionary industry that can potentially enable the creation of more personalized and cost effective drugs. Indeed, he says that 20th century regulation from above featuring traditional FDA processes doesn’t work anymore.

Instead, he says, we should learn from Japan, which has pioneered a light touch style of regulation built especially around this new technology. Education is important too, Smith insists, for introducing regenerative medicine to both the public and to government. As well as the creation of a healthy ecosystem to drive medical innovation.

As always, many thanks to the folks at CALinnovates for their help in the production of this interview.

Source: https://techcrunch.com/2016/07/24/regenerative-medicine-today-is-like-the-internet-in-1993/