It is my great pleasure to announce that our company Medistem has been fortunate to recruit a leader in the field of drug development to join us as CEO. Dr. Alan Lewis has grown companies to the point of exit in our space, as well as led the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), the largest supporter of diabetes research. Most importantly, Alan has watched Medistem grow since my joining in 2007, when I would periodically seek his advice on corporate direction and strategy. I will work closely with Alan in the position of President and Chief Scientific Officer.
Below please find the press release that we issued today.
Sincerely
Tom
Thomas Ichim, Ph.D
President and Chief Scientific Officer
Medistem Inc
9255 Towne Centre Drive
Suite 450
San Diego
CA 92121
858 349 3617
twitter: @thomasichim
www.medisteminc.com
Biopharmaceutical Executive Dr. Alan Lewis Appointed as CEO of Medistem
World-Class Industry Expert to Accelerate Commercialization of Universal Donor Stem Cell Drug for Heart Failure, Critical Limb Ischemia and Type 1 Diabetes
SAN DIEGO, CA--(Marketwire - Oct 9th 2012) - Medistem Inc. (PINKSHEETS: MEDS) announced today appointment of Dr. Alan Lewis to the position of Chief Executive Officer and Member of the Board. Since January, Dr. Lewis has been functioning in the capacity of Scientific Advisory Board Member for Medistem.
"We are enthusiastic that Dr. Lewis is taking the helm to help accelerate clinical development of the Endometrial Regenerative Cell (ERC) universal donor stem cell product, which is already a Phase I and Phase II studies for critical limb ischemia and congestive heart failure, respectively." Said Dr. Vladimir Bogin, Chairman of Medistem. "Dr. Thomas Ichim is assuming the role as the company's President and Chief Scientific Officer."
Dr. Lewis spent 15 years at the pharmaceutical company Wyeth-Ayerst, where he was Vice President of Research, leading translational research efforts in diabetes, CNS, cardiovascular, inflammatory, allergy and bone metabolism diseases. He subsequently became CEO of Signal Pharmaceuticals, a drug development company that he successfully merged with Celgene. He became CEO of Novocell Inc (Viacyte) and subsequently served as CEO of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the largest research funding body for diabetes. Most recently he was CEO of Ambit Biosciences. He currently serves on the board of BioMarin (BMRN) and a number of private biotechnology companies.
"To date the Medistem team has demonstrated remarkable accomplishments by taking a stem cell from discovery to FDA clearance in the short span of 4 years; thus positioning the company as having the longest patent life among clinical-stage stem cell companies." Said Dr. Lewis. "In contrast to other types of stem cells, Medistem's ERC appears to be the most potent at stimulating production of new blood vessels. In addition, ERC's proven ability to differentiate into multiple tissue types has a potential to treat numerous indications."
Medistem has licensed intellectual property from Yale University related to using ERC to treat Type 1 Diabetes, which the company plans to develop into its third area of clinical trials.
About Medistem Inc. Medistem Inc. is a biotechnology company developing technologies related to adult stem cell extraction, manipulation, and use for treating inflammatory and degenerative diseases. The company's lead product, the endometrial regenerative cell (ERC), is a "universal donor" stem cell being developed for critical limb ischemia and congestive heart failure. A publication describing the support for use of ERC for this condition may be found at http://www.translational-medicine.com/content/pdf/1479-5876-6-45.pdf. ERC can be purchased for scientific use through Medistem's collaborator, General Biotechnology http://www.gnrlbiotech.com/?page=catalog_endometrial_regenerative_cells.
Cautionary Statement This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of our securities. This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified. Future events and actual results could differ materially from those set forth in, contemplated by, or underlying the forward-looking information. Factors which may cause actual results to differ from our forward-looking statements are discussed in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Contacts
Medistem Inc.
Thomas Ichim
President and Chief Scientific Officer
858-349-3617
Thomas.ichim@medisteminc.com
www.medisteminc.com
twitter: @thomasichim
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