World Stem Cell Summit Announces Keynote Speakers and Hot Topics for 2010

DETROIT--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Bernard Siegel, executive director of the Genetics Policy Institute (GPI) and co-chair of the 2010 World Stem Cell Summit, announced the selection of keynote speakers for the World Stem Cell Summit, which is taking place at the Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center in Detroit, Michigan, October 4-6.

“The Promise of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine”

Leadership Keynote - Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm

Science Keynote - Sean Morrison, Ph.D., Director of Center for Stem Cell Biology, Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan

Industry Keynote - Thomas Okarma, MD, Ph.D., President and CEO, Geron Corporation

Society Keynote - Robert Klein, Chair of California Institute of Medicine Governing Board

Advocacy Keynote - A. Alfred Taubman, Founder and Chair, A. Alfred Taubman Medical Research Institute

“We are delighted to present some of the preeminent leaders in the stem cell community,” said Siegel. “The keynote speeches set the tone of the conference and will serve as a platform to catalyze, lead and inspire the global network of influential stem cell stakeholders that attend the Summit.”

Regarding his invitation to address the Summit, Tom Okarma said, “It is a pleasure and an honor to present one of the keynotes at the World Stem Cell Summit. As the industry leader in human embryonic stem cell research, this is the one meeting that we at Geron feel is a must attend, and we are pleased to tell our story to its audience.”

The 2010 World Stem Cell Summit features a multi-track program with more than 150 international speakers and 50 hours of in-depth science, business and society presentations (law, ethics, policy, regulatory and social issues). No other stem cell conference produces this breadth of content and 360 degree global view of the field of regenerative medicine.

Some selected panel topics include:

“The Promise of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine”

“The California Model for Funding, Regulation and Successful Collaborations”

“Pharma’s Growing Investment in Regenerative Medicine”

“Toward Global Harmonization: Perspectives from International Network Leaders”

“Hospital Perspectives of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine”

“Risks and Rip-Offs: Where to Draw the Line on Stem Cell Tourism”

“Healing Our Wounded Warriors: Armed Forces Investment in Regenerative Medicine”

“Stem Cell Progress” sessions covering diabetes; neurological disorders, including Parkinson’s Disease and ALS; aging; cancer; blindness; paralysis, including spinal cord injury and MS

The World Stem Cell Summit is the flagship international event uniting the stem cell community by bringing together scientists, patients, advocates, business people, investors, educators, ethicists, policy makers, government representatives, and others to network and learn from each other. In 2010, the Summit will attract more than 1,200 attendees from 30 nations, 60 exhibitors and more than 200 endorsing organizations and media partners from around the world.

The Genetics Policy Institute presents the Summit, which is co-hosted in 2010 by the State of Michigan, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, and the University Research Corridor, which includes the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Wayne State University.

For more information and to register, visit the newly redesigned World Stem Cell Summit web site at www.worldstemcellsummit.com.