SAN DIEGO, November 13, 2008 – Histogen, Inc., a regenerative medicine company developing solutions based on the products of newborn fibroblasts, today announced that Zoe Diane Draelos, M.D., clinical and research dermatologist and President of Dermatology Consulting Services, has joined the Company’s Scientific Advisory Board.
Dr. Draelos is a board certified dermatologist in private practice, and a recognized expert in cosmetic and biologically active skin medication research. As President and Primary Investigator for Dermatology Consulting Services, a company she founded in 1988, Dr. Draelos is focused on providing education, developing formulation technology, and conducting clinical studies in association with the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industry.
Histogen recently announced the creation of Histogen Aesthetics LLC, a venture developing products for the growing medical aesthetic industries based on the Company’s core technology. Dr. Draelos’ addition to the Scientific Advisory Board will be invaluable as Histogen Aesthetics moves forward with product launches and further clinical evaluations in this area.
“To have Dr. Draelos, a renowned dermatologist, and skin biologist with focused expertise in cosmetic dermatology, join Histogen’s SAB validates our technology and potential for treatments in the growing specialty of aesthetic medicine,” stated Lawrence A. Rheins, Ph.D., President of Histogen Aesthetics LLC. “We are excited to have the opportunity to utilize her insight and clinical expertise as we prepare for product launches in post-resurfacing and anti-aging in early 2009, and continue development of additional skin, hair, and nail care products in the aesthetic medicine arena.”
Dr. Draelos has served as Principal Investigator on more than 200 clinical trials, is a national and international speaker, and has been the recipient of numerous research grants. She is also a significant contributor to medical literature, with more than 200 articles and 25 book chapters to her credit. She is the author of the text Cosmetics in Dermatology, now in its third edition, and Hair Care, as well as serving as the editor for the textbook Cosmeceuticals, which has been translated into 5 languages.
Complementing her writing endeavors, Dr. Draelos serves on 8 editorial boards, including Cosmetic Dermatology, The International Journal of Cosmetic Science, Dermatologic Surgery, and Dermatology Times. She also serves as editor-in-chief of the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.
Dr. Draelos is a fellow and past board member of the American Academy of Dermatology and a member of the American Dermatological Association, the Society for Investigative Dermatology, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, among others. A former Rhodes Scholar, Dr. Draelos has been the recipient of many awards and honors in recognition of her professional and academic accomplishments. She was recently given a Lifetime Achievement Award for her research from Health Beauty America, a professional skin care and cosmetics industry organization.
“The rapid development of the sub-specialty of cosmetic dermatology, with a growing focus on basic and clinical research into all aspects of cosmetic medicine, requires new technological advances to address the complexities for this growing area of medicine,” commented Draelos. “Histogen scientists have developed a technology that may address many future clinical challenges of aesthetic medicine.”
Histogen Aesthetics LLC, established in 2008 as a subsidiary of Histogen, Inc., focuses on the development of skin and hair care products for the plastics surgery, dermatology and cosmetic industries. Histogen Aesthetics products are based on Histogen’s core technology, in which newborn fibroblasts are grown in a proprietary simulated embryonic-like environment. From this process, Histogen Aesthetics extracts ReGenicaTM, a unique complex containing naturally secreted growth factors, antioxidants and other synergistic bio-products. ReGenica is currently undergoing clinical studies as a treatment in the areas of post-resurfacing and anti-aging, with a planned product portfolio addressing a range of skin and hair care needs.
About Histogen
Histogen, launched in 2007, seeks to redefine regenerative medicine by developing a series of high value products without the use of embryonic stem cells or animal products. Through Histogen’s proprietary bioreactors that mimic the embryonic environment, newborn fibroblasts are encouraged to naturally produce the vital proteins and growth factors from which the company has developed its rich product portfolio. Histogen has two product families - ExceltrixTM, Histogen’s human Extracellular Matrix (ECM) and ReGenicaTM, Histogen’s proprietary liquid formula. For more information, please visit http://www.histogeninc.com.
