The Genetics Policy Institute (GPI) and the Regenerative Medicine Foundation (RMF) said today they have agreed to merge.
The combined organization—which will retain the Regenerative Medicine Foundation name—will apply the resources of GPI and RMF to advance stem cell research, regenerative medicine, and other advanced technologies focused on delivering cures, the groups said.
“The merger of these nonprofit leadership organizations will create the leading comprehensive regenerative medicine support organization in the world,” declared Bernard Siegel, GPI’s executive director, who will hold that position for the combined organization. “It ensures that we are in a position to advance the research and innovations that are creating the future of medicine.
Siegel’s counterpart as RMF’s executive director, William Hinman, will hold an unspecified executive position in the merged organization, while RMF’s founder and chairman, Anthony Atala, M.D., will continue to sit on the board of directors of the merged organization.
“By working together, we can find solutions that none of us alone can achieve,” stated Dr. Atala, who is also director of the Wake Forest Institute of Regenerative Medicine.
GPI and RMF announced their merger today at the opening session of the 10th Annual World Stem Cell Summit (#wscs14) in San Antonio, Texas. The summit’s platinum media sponsors included GEN and its parent Mary Ann Liebert Inc. The summit’s official publication, World Stem Cell Report 2014, is a special supplement to the Liebert-published, peer-reviewed journal Stem Cells and Development.
Presenting the summit will be among projects overseen by the new foundation, as GPI evolves into the merged group’s think tank and policy arm. Other projects include honoring community leaders through the Stem Cell Action Awards, organizing educational initiatives, fostering strategic collaborations, and continuing to join Mary Ann Liebert Inc. in publishing World Stem Cell Report.
GPI maintains offices in Palm Beach, FL; California’s Silicon Valley; and Washington, D.C.
RMF is now based in Winston-Salem, NC, where the merged organization is also anticipated to maintain an office. RMF’s ongoing projects include producing the annual RegMed conference; publishing of the official journal of RMF by AlphaMed Press, “Stem Cell Translational Medicine”; commissioning special art projects integrating science; and hosting medical and educational seminars.
In planning this year’s summit, RMF joined GPI and their organizing partners: The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Mayo Clinic, Kyoto University Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (iCeMS), Baylor College of Medicine and BioBridge Global.
