CLEVELAND, Jan. 9, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Athersys, Inc. (Nasdaq:ATHX) today announced that Dr. Gil Van Bokkelen, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, will present at the 5th annual Phacilitate Cell and Gene Therapy Forum in Washington D.C. on Monday, January 26th, 2009. Dr. Van Bokkelen will present on recent progress in the company's MultiStem development programs.
The Cell and Gene Therapy Forum is a unique event held annually that focuses on the strategic and business issues related to development and commercialization of cell therapy and related technologies. During this three-day event, senior decision makers from pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, regulatory personnel and other attendees gather to discuss and explore challenges, significant advancements, and emerging opportunities in the development of cell and gene therapies. This year's Forum will be held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Washington D.C. from January 26th - 28th. The forum will feature plenary sessions, breakout workshops and panel discussions.
More information about the 5th Annual Cell and Gene Therapy Forum is available at www.phacilitate.com.
About Athersys, Inc.
Athersys is a 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/oncology support, ischemic stroke and other indications. The company is also developing 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). More information is available at www.athersys.com.
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