The World Stem Cell Summit is being held this week at the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine in Winston-Salem. North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper was in attendance Tuesday and was recognized for his leadership.
Regenerative Medicine Foundation Executive Director Bernard Siegel says the goal of their work, to bring cellular therapies into patient availability, is a mountain to climb — with questions over regulation, reimbursement, and many others yet to be answered. But he adds that recognition should be given to leaders and advocates who have accelerated the field of regenerative medicine and stem cell research.
Past honorees include then Vice President Joe Biden, actor Michael J. Fox, and former Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm.
During Governor Cooper’s tenure, North Carolina has grown to be 4th in the nation for biotech.
In accepting the leadership award, he addressed conference members in the enormous Wake Forest Biotech Place lobby, part of what he described as one of the fastest-growing innovation districts in the United States.
"The very fact that the World Stem Cell Summit is here in Winston-Salem, is a testament to our state’s and this region’s commitment to the life sciences, and making the world healthier," says Cooper.
Cooper described the surroundings as the largest regenerative medicine research facility under one roof in the world. He says the innovation quarter generated about $1.6 billion for the region last year.