SAN ANTONIO, Sept. 10, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Genetics Policy Institute (GPI), the producer of the annual World Stem Cell Summit, and the Regenerative Medicine Foundation (RMF), organizers of the annual RegMed Conference and sponsor of the RMF official journal, "Stem Cell Translational Medicine," announced today that RMF has joined as a 2014 Summit "Organizing Partner." Dr. Anthony Atala, founder and Chairman of the Board of RMF will serve as a Summit co-chair and a keynote speaker. The 10th annual 2014 Summit will be held December 3-5, 2014, at the San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter in San Antonio, Texas.
Dr. Atala, also Chair of the Department of Urology of the Wake Forest University Medical Center and Director of the Wake Forest Institute of Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM), stated, "The Regenerative Medicine Foundation shares GPI's values and welcomes the opportunity to work with Summit founder Bernie Siegel. The leadership of RMF views the World Stem Cell Summit as a critical and must-attend event and is honored to join the array of distinguished leaders and institutions that are organizing the multidisciplinary Summit. It unites the global regenerative medicine community by bringing together researchers, clinicians, industry, financiers, regulators, philanthropists, media, patients and their advocates to understand the what's 'here and now' with an overarching goal to positively shape the future of this promising new era of medicine."
William Hinman, Executive Director of RMF, said "RMF support for the Summit continues collaborations between our Foundation and other like-minded nonprofit organizations, all seeking to advance regenerative medicine through public awareness and education. The Summit is a natural extension of the RMF's work organizing the successful RegMed series of annual conferences. We are proud to be affiliated as a partner in this important global meeting that truly is the 'window to the world' of regenerative medicine."
Bernard Siegel, founder and co-chair of the World Stem Cell Summit stated, "Given our shared goals, it is fitting that the Regenerative Medicine Foundation would support this year's Summit, our 10th anniversary event. The expertise offered by Dr. Atala is invaluable and with RMF support, WSCS14 is now the premier partnering event, advancing the burgeoning field of stem cells and regenerative medicine."
RMF joins GPI, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Mayo Clinic, Kyoto University Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (iCeMS), Baylor College of Medicine and BioBridge Global to organize the 10th annual meeting of the global stem cell community, which assembles the most prominent figures in the field to share research, build collaborations and find solutions to funding and commercialization challenges. On December 2nd, there will be a preview day with tours of research facilities, art exhibits and a free public education day.
ABOUT WORLD STEM CELL SUMMIT:
The World Stem Cell Summit is the flagship meeting of the international stem cell community. The Summit aims to accelerate the discovery and development of lifesaving cures and therapies, bringing global stakeholders together to solve global challenges. More than 200 speakers and panelists will discuss the latest scientific discoveries, business models, translational issues, legal and regulatory solutions, and best practices. The event is expected to attract more than 1,500 attendees from 40 nations, with 200 sponsors, media partners and endorsing organizations. The 2014 World Stem Cell Summit will be held December 3-5, 2014, at the San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter in San Antonio, Texas. To learn more, visit worldstemcellsummit.com and follow @WSCSummit on Twitter.
ABOUT GENETICS POLICY INSTITUTE:
Genetics Policy Institute (GPI) supports stem cell research to develop therapeutics and cures. GPI pursues its mission by producing the World Stem Cell Summit, honoring community leaders through the Stem Cell Action Awards, publishing the peer-reviewed World Stem Cell Report with Mary Ann Liebert Publishers, organizing educational initiatives and fostering strategic collaborations. GPI maintains offices in Palm Beach, Florida; Silicon Valley, California and Washington, D.C. For more information about GPI, visit genpol.org.
ABOUT REGENERATIVE MEDICINE FOUNDATION:
Regenerative Medicine Foundation (RMF), based in Winston Salem, North Carolina, is a not-for-profit organization created to advance new treatments and therapies based on tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. RMF believes that integrating life science and engineering disciplines will bring new clinical approaches to patients for the treatment of diseases and injuries affecting a wide range of tissues and organs. Some of its ongoing projects include production of the annual RegMed conference; publication of the official journal of RMF by AlphaMed Press, "Stem Cell Translational Medicine"; commissioning special art projects integrating science; and hosting medical and educational seminars.
To learn more about the RMF, visit regenerativemedicinefoundation.org.