San Antonio to Host 2014 World Stem Cell Summit

SAN ANTONIO, Texas, Sept. 18, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Genetics Policy Institute (GPI), the producer of the annual World Stem Cell Summit, is announcing tonight at BioMed SA's 8th Annual Julio Palmaz Award Dinner that the 2014 World Stem Cell Summit is scheduled for December 3-5, 2014 at the San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter in San Antonio, Texas.

The World Stem Cell Summit is the largest interdisciplinary stem cell meeting, featuring more than 170 prominent scientists, business leaders, regulators, policy-makers, economic development officers, patient advocates and experts in law and ethics, presenting the latest scientific discoveries, business models, legal and regulatory solutions and best practices. The event is expected to attract more than 1,500 attendees from 40 nations.

Among the regional institutions supporting the Summit along with the City of San Antonio are BioMed SA, the Texas Research and Technology Foundation, the Texas Biomedical Research Institute, the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research, the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio and its Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, the University of Texas at San Antonio and BioBridge Global.

GPI Executive Director Bernard Siegel, founder and co-chair of the Summit said, "We are proud to select San Antonio as the location for the 2014 World Stem Cell Summit. San Antonio is a recognized global leader in the healthcare and bioscience industries. Prominent local associations and institutions have expressed their support of the international regenerative medicine community's foremost event. Additionally, Summit attendees will enjoy the hospitality of one of the premier convention destinations in the U.S. We are delighted to celebrate the 10th Anniversary Summit in San Antonio."

San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro said, "In San Antonio, we are continually looking for ways to grow and promote our number one industry: Healthcare and Bioscience. The sector creates an annual economic impact of more than $29 billion with a workforce of 156,000. San Antonio recognizes regenerative medicine as an emerging growth segment of this industry, and we are truly honored to be named host of this prestigious conference."

City Manager Sheryl Sculley said, "This announcement recognizes San Antonio as a leading center of bioscience research, including the emerging field of regenerative medicine. This Summit attracts some of the best and brightest healthcare professionals in the world, and we intend to leverage this event in partnership with the San Antonio Economic Development Foundation to continue growing our targeted Healthcare and Bioscience Industry.

Ann Stevens, president of BioMed SA, said, "BioMed SA is the region's biomedical cluster organization dedicated to accelerate sector growth and contribute to the health of people worldwide by establishing San Antonio as a healthcare and bioscience leader. The World Stem Cell Summit provides San Antonio institutions and companies the opportunity to forge collaborations around the globe and expand the awareness of San Antonio's unique biomedical assets."

Colonel Michael A. Weber, Commander of the Medical Corps of the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research based at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Texas stated, "Bringing the 2014 World Stem Cell Summit to San Antonio will help foster the scientific exchange of ideas and knowledge related to regenerative medicine and military needs for helping our wounded warriors and is well aligned with the mission of this institute. One of the interests of the Institute of Surgical Research is the development of regenerative technologies to improve outcomes of our military combat casualties and research into stem cell technologies is one of the key aspects of our institute."

Bernard Siegel of GPI added, "Our purpose is to bring the global stem cell community together. Texas research institutions are hugely invested in stem cell research and regenerative medicine. That commitment will pay lasting dividends for the state in the form of new companies setting up businesses, jobs and, most importantly, the translation of scientific innovation into cures."

ABOUT GPI: The Genetics Policy Institute (GPI) supports stem cell research to develop therapeutics and cures. GPI pursues its mission by producing the World Stem Cell Summit, honoring community leaders through the Stem Cell Action Awards, publishing the World Stem Cell Report, organizing educational initiatives and fostering strategic collaborations. For more information about GPI, visit http://www.genpol.org.

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San Antonio to Host 2014 World Stem Cell Summit