Michigan Governor Granholm Announces Detroit Will Host 2010 World Stem Cell Summit

Michigan Governor Granholm Announces Detroit Will Host 2010 World Stem Cell Summit

"Summit one of most important life sciences conferences in world"

LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced that Detroit will host the 2010 World Stem Cell Summit organized by the Genetics PolicyInstitute.

The conference will take place October 4-6,

2010, at the Detroit Marriott atthe Renaissance Center.

It will be co-hosted by Michigan State University,the University of Michigan, Wayne State University, and the MichiganEconomic Development Corporation.

“We have been working to grow Michigan’s life sciences sector as part of ourstrategy to diversify the state’s economy and create jobs,” Granholmsaid. “The World Stem Cell Summit is one of the most important life sciencesconferences in the world.

The selection of Detroit to host the 2010 summitis positive recognition and support of our efforts here in Michigan in thisemerging economic sector.” “Hosting the 2010 World Stem Cell Summit will allow us to showcase theinnovative research that is occurring in the city of Detroit and at Michiganuniversities,” said Detroit Mayor Dave Bing. “Scientists, researchers,government officials and industry representatives from around the world willsee firsthand the great minds and facilities we have in Detroit.”The summit will attract more than 1,200 of the most influential stem cellstakeholders from more than 30 countries, representing the fields ofscience, business, policy, law, ethics and advocacy. There will be 150internationally-renowned speakers, producing a unique international networkdesigned to foster collaborations, economic development, technologytransfer, commercialization, private investment and philanthropy. “We are delighted to bring the 2010 World Stem Cell Summit to Detroit,” saidBernard Siegel, executive director of the Genetics PolicyInstitute. “Michigan is fast becoming a biotechnology hub. Michigan StateUniversity, the University of Michigan and Wayne State University all haveworld-class researchers and outstanding facilities dedicated not only tofundamental stem cell research but also to translating lab work intoeffective treatments and cures.” Presidents of all three universities expressed enthusiasm about the summit. “Michigan State University has a long history of working in a number ofareas in the stem cell field such as bio-engineering, cancer biology, andtoxicology,” said MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon.

“The 2010 World Stem CellSummit will be an opportunity to showcase our work as well as continue, andestablish new, collaborations with our University Research Corridorcolleagues.” “Stem cell research and discovery are of tremendous importance not only toscientists, patients and families but also to transforming our state’seconomy,” said University of Michigan President Mary Sue.

Coleman. “TheUniversity of Michigan is excited to welcome the 2010 World Stem Cell Summitto Michigan.” “As a leader in life sciences research, Wayne State University is pleased tosponsor the 2010 World Stem Cell Summit with our University ResearchCorridor partners,” said Wayne State University President Jay Noren. “Withthe planned opening of the Stem Cell

Commercialization Center at TechTown,Wayne State’s technology park and business incubator, Detroit and Michiganare poised to assume leadership in research in this field of increasing importance to both the biomedical industry and pioneering clinical care.” Covered at the summit will be all areas of stem cell science, disease models, drug discovery, tissue engineering, bioreactors andnanotechnology. There will be progress reports on treatment for cancer,diabetes, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, ALS,neurological disorders and cardiovascular disease. Panels will discusscommercialization, funding, economic development, regulatory agencyperspectives, law and ethics. The summit also will feature the 2010 Stem Cell Action Awards Dinner wherethe Genetics Policy Institute will recognize organizations and individualswho have most positively impacted the stem cell community. At the 2009summit dinner in Baltimore, two Michigan stem cell organizations.

won awards:

Michigan Citizens for Stem Cell Research and Cures won the EducationAward,

while Cure Michigan won the Grassroots Advocacy Award. The 2010 World Stem Cell Summit

will be the sixth annual conferenceorganized by the Genetics Policy Institute.

Previous summits have takenplace in Houston, Palo Alto, Boston, Baltimore, and Madison, Wisconsin.