International Cellular Medicine Society Builds Support for Patient Safety and Education in Asia

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ICMS Executive Director David Audley delivers keynote remarks in Japan following meeting with Korean Senate

PORTLAND, OREGON, August 4, 2010 – The International Cellular Medicine Society’s (ICMS) Executive Director, David Audley, delivered the opening remarks for the 4th Annual Symposium on Regenerative Medicine and Adult Stem Cell Research in Kyoto, Japan. The ICMS is a global nonprofit organization dedicated to patient safety and education on the medical use of adult stem cells. Audley’s remarks called for physicians worldwide to unite behind best practice standards for the medical use of stem cells.

Staying true to the mission of the ICMS, Audley’s presentation dealt with the advancement of cell-based medicine through patient safety and peer oversight. After delivering powerful opening remarks, including an inspiring call to action to all physicians present, Audley continued to explain the need for transparent and unbiased information in light of current uncertainty surrounding the safety and efficacy of stem cell treatments.

“Rogue clinics are a threat to patients and ethical physicians everywhere,” said Audley. “Without peer oversight and the transparency that is only available through the ICMS treatment registries, the ability of any physician to ethically practice cell based medicine and any well-informed patient to access these treatments is in great jeopardy.”

The presentation in Japan followed a successful series of high level meetings with members of the Korean Senate to discuss the regulatory environment and the role of governments in protecting patient safety.

“These meetings were an opportunity to present the ICMS as a global best practice standards provider,” said Francesca Vitelli, PhD and ICMS Board member, “In meeting with members of the Korean Parliament, the ICMS was able to initiate conversations about the need of governments around the world to utilize a set of physician developed standards to evaluate the practices of stem cell clinics and ensure patient safety, which is the ultimate goal of the ICMS.”

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About the ICMS

The International Cellular Medicine Society is a 501c3 non-profit that represents patients, physicians, and scientists from over 35 countries on 6 continents who are dedicated to patient safety and education on the medical use of adult stem cell therapies. The Society provides physician authored and reviewed best practices guidelines on the collection, processing and re-implantation of autologous, adult stem cells, manages a first of its kind Treatment Registry to track stem cell patient outcomes and complications, and publishes an annual report on the practices of Off Shore Stem Cell Clinics. The Society maintains the website, www.cellmedicinesociety.org that is focused on adult stem cell research, education and awareness.