Regenerative medicine group launches in D.C.

Universities, life sciences companies, health care investors and patient advocates have banded together to inform policy makers, the media and the public about regenerative medicine.

The Washington, D.C.-based Alliance for Regenerative Medicine aims to advance scientific research in regenerative medicine, which includes such methods as using stem cells to grow cells. Stem cell research was pioneered by University of Wisconsin researcher James Thomson.

The Alliance, which is being co-operated by H&K and Adjuvant Global Advisors, expects many more companies, universities and organizations to join on in the coming weeks.

Some of the initial charter members include the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Geron, Johnson & Johnson, and Aldagen. Investor organizations include Kleiner, Perkins and Proteus Ventures.

“Regenerative medicine holds enormous promise,” said Thomas Okarma, president and CEO of Geron Corp. “It is critical to educate policy makers about this technology in order to gain the Federal support necessary to turn that potential into cost-effective treatments for patients.”