|
|
|
|
|
      16.05.2005 14.02.2005     |
|
|
|
 16.05.2005 Strong emphasis on Swedish-Californian stem cells research and collaborative venture opportunities. San Francisco selected for permanent stem cells HQ. Leading stem cells researchers and stem cells companies from Sweden and California gathered in San Francisco on April 26-27 to share news of exciting scientific developments as both sides of the Atlanic and to build bilateral research programs. The symposium brought together pioneers from the life science, finance and legal communities and featured numerous speaker and panel discussions on both science and business topics. Participants praised the Symposium’s unique application of experience from the venture capital, legal and IP communities to the fast advancing stem cells research field. Days after the meeting, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) announced it had selected San Francisco as the site for its permanent stem cells headquarters. The symposium, an initiative by the life-science researchers Dr Neerja Sethi and Dr Kent Persson of Astragen LLC, who teamed up with The Consulate General of Sweden, Swedish office of Science and Technology in Los Angeles and SACC in San Francisco, brought together pioneers from the life science, finance and legal communities and featured numerous speakers and panel discussions on both science and business topics. The symposium showcased some of the world’s leading Stem Cells research teams from Sweden and the United States as well as the funding opportunities presented by Proposition 71 – the Californian initiative to provide some $3 billion to further stem cells research. Robert Klein, Chairman of the CIRM and Proposition 71 founding father, spoke at the symposium, as did world-renowned scientists including Dr. Irving Weissman, Dr. Jane Lebkowski and Dr. Arnold Kriegstein from the United States, and Dr. Anders Björklund, Dr. Sten Eirik W. Jacobsen, Dr. Henrik Semb and Dr. Lars Ährlund-Richter from Sweden, among others. John Wetherell, Co-leader of the Life Sciences Practice at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP and his corporate partners Sylvia Burks of the firm’s Swedish Practice Team and Maureen Corcoran of the firm’s Healthcare practice, led panel discussions addressing business and legal opportunities and challenges facing stem cells collaborative ventures. Participants included foreign governments and trade councils from Britain, Singapore and Australia, which have world-class stem cells research programs. Corporate participants included Geron Corporation, Neuronova, Cellartis, and Vistagen along with co-sponsor Applied Biosystems and VC firms Delphi Ventures and 5am Ventures.
14.02.2005 The 2005 Stem Cells Symposium in San Francisco San Francisco, CA - This April, the world's leading stem cells researchers from Sweden and California will join pioneers from the fields of life sciences, finance and the legal community to map out the future of stem cells research and development in California. The 2005 Stem Cells Symposium, on April 26-27th, is organized by the Consulate General of Sweden in San Francisco, the Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce in San Francisco/Silicon Valley, the Swedish Office of Science and Technology in Los Angeles and Astragen LLC and will bring together the scientific and business expertise required to build bilateral world-class research programs and foster entrepreneurship. The Symposium will feature six keynote addresses from world-renowned researchers and leading experts in the stem cells field including Anders Björklund of Lund University, who co-chairs the EuroStemCell project, supported by the European Commission and comprising 27 research teams from seven countries, as well as other distinguished speakers. Over 13 other researchers will address cutting-edge issues in a series of panel discussions. The symposium will also arrange meetings of researchers, companies and potential financiers to spark international research and business ventures, both in the context of California's "Proposition 71" funding and beyond. "Sweden has one of the most advanced Stem Cells research programs in the world today," says Dr. Kent Persson, member of the Board of Directors at Astragen LLC and the Chair of the Symposium's Advisory Committee. "The Symposium will attract top level stem cells researchers and bring together both Swedish and Californian businesses with Stem Cells Research for world class entrepreneurial ventures," says Dr. Neerja Sethi, member of the Board of Directors at Astragen LLC and the Symposium's Advisory Committee. "This is a unique opportunity for Swedish and American stem cells researchers and entrepreneurs to exchange knowledge for continued expansive stem cells research," says Mr. Nils Welin, Executive Director Swedish American Chamber of Commerce. "We look forward to bringing together researchers, companies, policy makers and others from Sweden and the US in this very important area. Due to California's Proposition 71 stem cells funding initiative, there is a great potential to form joint ventures between Swedish and US concerns. Progress in the stem cells area will most likely lead to major health benefits and economic growth in our countries," says Helena Jonsson-Franchi, Swedish Attaché of Science and Technology, at the Swedish Office of Science and Technology in Los Angeles. This will be a "continuing symposium," with follow-up meetings in future years to map progress and continue to steer the course for future international cooperation in this important area of scientific, business and governmental cooperation.
|
|
