Grant Funding from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM)
CIRM was established in November 2004 with the passage of Proposition 71. The statewide ballot measure provided $3 billion in funding for stem cell research at California universities and research institutions. Our mission is stem cell research with the potential to prevent, diagnose, treat, and cure life-threatening diseases and disabling disorders. We are in a race against disease, not a race against other states or nations and so we work with other collaborators and allies around the world in meeting our obligation to advance stem cell therapies to reduce human suffering. More information at www.cirm.ca.gov.
Corporate Sponsors
Athersys
Athersys is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company with a growing pipeline of highly differentiated, potential best in class therapeutics to treat significant and life-threatening diseases. We are engaged in the discovery and development of innovative new medicines designed to extend and enhance the quality of human life. Through the application of our proprietary technologies, we have established a pipeline of therapeutic product development programs in multiple disease areas. This pipeline includes both stem cell therapy and pharmaceuticals.
Blood Systems, Inc.
Blood Systems exists to make a difference in people’s lives by bringing together the best people, inspiring individuals to donate blood, producing a safe and ample blood supply, advancing cutting-edge research and embracing continuous quality improvement.
Blood Systems Research Institute
Blood Systems Research Institute (BSRI) is dedicated to advancing blood safety worldwide through scientific research, education and the promotion of evidence-based policies. BSRI supports the education and training of the next generation of researchers through fellowships, internships, mentoring and classes conducted in San Francisco and around the world. Established in 1959 as the scientific services department of the Irwin Memorial Blood Bank, BSRI's areas of research now encompass Epidemiology/Donor Behavior, Health Outcomes Policy, Molecular Virology/Virus Discovery, Molecular Transfusion Medicine, Immunology, Repository and Testing Services, Molecular Diagnostics and Cell Therapy.
BioLife Solutions
BioLife Solutions develops, manufactures, and markets patented hypothermic storage/transport and freeze media products for cells, tissues, and organs. Products include: proprietary serum-free and protein-free HypoThermosol® and CryoStor® and generic BloodStor®. BioLife also offers custom biopreservation media formulation, fill, and finish services. For more information please visit www.biolifesolutions.com, or contact Aby J. Mathew, PhD, Senior Vice President & Chief Technology Officer, [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>, who will be presenting Best Practices in Biopreservation for Cell Therapies: Overcoming Barriers in Cryopreservation and Storage Solutions for Clinical Translation at this conference.
Lonza
For 30 years Lonza has been helping emerging and established pharmaceutical and biotech companies improve production processes, navigate the development and regulatory process, lower the cost of goods, and advance to market faster. Lonza offers world-class technology platforms in the areas of GMP cell culture and viral-based therapeutic manufacturing, custom biotherapeutic culture media, a large selection of primary and stem cells and a full line of custom bioassays. Our extensive experience in cell therapy process optimization and scale-up innovation helps clients to safely and effectively advance their products through all phases of the commercial pipeline and maximize their return on investment. Our new Viral-based Therapeutics group provides viral vaccine manufacturing as well as viral vector mediated gene therapies for the treatment of infectious diseases, neurological disorders, cancer and cardiovascular diseases. From early development through commercial launch and mature market supply our staff can design, develop, and implement a manufacturing process that meets your autologous or allogeneic therapeutic applications. For more information, visit us at www.lonza.com.
Milteyni Biotec
Since pioneering MACS magnetic cell separation technology in 1990, we have grown into a vibrant, multinational team of more than 1200 biomedical scientists, physicians, engineers, and support groups. We develop and manufacture a portfolio of outstanding products ranging from unique cell labeling reagents, through sophisticated cell separation and analysis devices, to innovative systems for clinical applications.
Terumo BCT
Terumo BCT, a global leader in blood component and cellular technologies, is the only company with the unique combination of apheresis collections, manual and automated whole blood processing, and pathogen reduction coupled with leading technologies in therapeutic apheresis and cell processing. With the cell processing unit, the Quantum cell expansion system brings reproducibility and scalability to help companies get products from the lab to the market faster. By minimizing the need for hands-on attention, the system automates cell culture in a functionally closed environment. Terumo BCT is guided by our customers' needs, aspirations and ongoing drive to improve efficiency and patient outcomes.
University of California San Francisco
The Departments of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, aim to achieve the highest standards in patient care, research, and education. Clinically, the Department of Pathology performs diagnostic services based primarily on microscopic examination of cells and tissues, and Laboratory Medicine uses high throughput, automated equipment to analyze blood and other body fluids for evidence of disease. In education, the Departments run a joint residency program that trains medical school graduates in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology. The research programs of the departments encompass basic and translational science in a wide variety of areas, including cancer, immunity, infection, and cell injury.