Challenges in gaining adoption of a first method for rapid quantification of the dosage of therapeutic tissue stem cells
James L. Sherley, M.D., Ph.D.
President and CEO, Asymmetrex® LLC
Abstract:
Asymmetrex® recently developed and patented a first method for routine quantification of the specific fraction and dosage of diverse tissue stem cells. Prior to this advance, no technology existed with this capability. Tissue stem cells – like blood hematopoietic stem cells, umbilical cord stem cells, and fat tissue-derived stem cells – are the therapeutic principles in approved and experimental stem cell therapies and gene therapies. Knowing the specific fraction of tissue stem cells will accelerate progress in stem cell medicine R&D, and it will improve the effectiveness of currently approved stem cell and gene therapies. Despite an apparent unmet need for innovation in stem cell quantification for more than a half century, adoption of the new technology, called kinetic stem cell (KSC) counting, has been remarkably slow. Even with recent innovations to make the technology faster and less expensive, based on customer discovery interviews, both academic and industry adoption continue to lag. Recently completed validations for the new technology will be presented and plans for future strategies designed to increase interest, acceptance, and adoption of the new technology will be discussed. A brief preview of the presentation can be found at: https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/758820177
Biographical Sketch:
James L. Sherley, M.D., Ph.D. is the founder, President, and CEO of Massachusetts stem cell biotechnology company Asymmetrex®, LLC. Asymmetrex develops and markets technologies for advancing stem cell medicine, including the first method achieving specific and accurate certification of the dosage of therapeutic tissue stem cells, called kinetic stem cell (KSC) counting. Asymmetrex’s kinetic stem cell counting platforms are also used to optimize manufacturing of therapeutic stem cells and for evaluations of drug effects on tissue stem cells. Dr. Sherley is a graduate of Harvard College, with a B.A. degree in biology, and the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, earning joint M.D. and Ph.D. degrees. Prior to founding Asymmetrex®, he held academic research appointments at the Fox Chase Cancer Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Boston Biomedical Research Institute. Dr. Sherley's professional awards include Pew Biomedical Research Scholar, Ellison Medical Foundation Senior Scholar in Aging Research, and NIH Director’s Pioneer Award. He is also the author of a recently published new book, Missing Elements in the Public Science Supporting the COVID-19 Spread Narrative in the US.
Date and time:
Saturday, December 3, 2022
12:45 PM—2:30 PM
Zoom Meeting Link:
https://umassboston.zoom.us/j/97295241814