WASHINGTON, DC, MARCH 30, 2010 – The Alliance for Regenerative Medicine (ARM), the political voice for regenerative medicine, today reported significant progress toward its policy and membership objectives since its formation in September 2009. ARM’s achievements include an upcoming meeting with U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D., as well as a doubling of its membership to include 50 members.
Specifically, ARM’s accomplishments include:
• A planned meeting with U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D., for the purpose of discussing regulatory issues facing the regenerative medicine industry.
• A doubling and diversification of its membership over the first six months. ARM now represents 50 organizations with an interest in regenerative medicine, including biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and service companies; research institutes; patient advocacy groups; investors; and foundations (see member list below).
• Establishing a dialog with NIH about grant funding and translational research in regenerative medicine • A presentation to The Multi-Agency Tissue Engineering Science (MATES) Interagency Working Group (IWG), a platform for exchange of tissue engineering information organized under the Subcommittee on Biotechnology of the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) and including 13 different federal agencies.
• Substantial progress on drafting legislation that: defines the regenerative medicine industry and major obstacles to its development; as well as providing solutions to challenges that currently impede research and commercialization in the field. The Alliance has also begun to secure congressional support for the legislation.
• Participation in a primary research project, sponsored by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), to define regulatory, policy and business issues impacting regenerative medicine.
• Compiling industry economic impact data as well as identifying information gaps that need to be addressed. The data can be viewed on ARM’s web site at: http://www.alliancerm.org/economic_data.html.
“We have made enormous progress in establishing ARM’s visibility with legislators and regulators, and are working to supply them with pivotal information and education that they can use as a basis for decision making,” said Michael Werner, ARM’s Co-Founder and Executive Director and a Partner at Holland & Knight. “We are delighted with the reception ARM has received thus far, and it confirms our belief that the time is right for a unified endeavor to support regenerative medicine,” Mr. Werner added.
“ARM is fortunate to have the participation of many of the most experienced, dedicated industry leaders and researchers in the regenerative medicine community among our members,” said Morrie Ruffin, Co-Founder and Managing Director of ARM and Managing Director of Adjuvant Global Advisor. “We are pleased to welcome our new members, and invite every stakeholder to the table to participate with ARM in shaping the future of regenerative medicine, a field which has the potential to transform human health.”
“ARM has rapidly established itself as an influential force for regenerative medicine, and on behalf of the membership we are thankful that our industry now has strong representation,” said John Walker, Chairman of ARM and Chief Executive Officer of iPerian.
ARM’s agenda encompasses funding, policy, regulation, reimbursement, communication and education around issues pertaining to regenerative medicine, including access to life-saving stem-cell therapies. ARM carries out its mission through its Executive, Government Relations & Policy, Regulatory & Reimbursement and Communication & Education committees.
New and founding members of ARM include: Aastrom Biosciences, Inc., Advanced BioHealing, Aldagen, Alliance for Aging Research, Allosource, Association of Clinical Research Organizations, ATCC, Athersys, BioSyntech, Burnham Institute, California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Celgene Cellular, Cellerant, Cleveland Clinic, Corning, Cytori, Fate Therapeutics, Genetics Policy Institute, Geron Corporation, International Stem Cell Corporation, iPierian, ISTO Technologies, Inc., Johnson and Johnson, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Kleiner, Perkins, Caufield, and Byers, MaxCyte, The New York Stem Cell Foundation, Novocell, Organovo, Pfizer, Pittsburgh Tissue Engineering Institute (McGowan), Proteus Venture Partners, Regenerative Medicine Foundation, Regenesis Biomedical, Riverwood Bioconsulting, Rogi Pharma, Safeguard Scientifics, Sangomo Biosciences, Stem Cells, Tengion, Theregen, Tissue Genesis, Toucan Capital, University College London, University of Louisville & Jewish Hospital Cardiovascular Innovation Institute (CII), Wake Forest Institute of Regenerative Medicine.
The Alliance for Regenerative Medicine (ARM) is a Washington, DC-based non-profit organization that promotes legislative, regulatory and reimbursement initiatives necessary to facilitate access to life-giving advances in regenerative medicine. ARM also works to increase public understanding of the field and its potential to transform human healthcare, and provides services to support the growth of its member companies and organizations. Prior to the formation of ARM, there was no advocacy organization operating in Washington, DC to specifically represent the interests of regenerative medicine companies, research institutions, investors, and patient groups supporting more rapid adoption of technologies in our field. To learn more about ARM or to become a member, visit www.alliancerm.org.
