The Alliance for Regenerative Medicine Announces Speakers and Legislator of the Year Award Recipient for Seventh Annual Dinner and Legislative Fly-In

WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwired - May 12, 2016) - The Alliance for Regenerative Medicine (ARM), the international advocacy organization representing the gene and cellular therapies and broader regenerative medicine sector, announced the speaker line up for its seventh Annual Dinner and Legislative Fly-In, to be held May 24 and 25 in Washington, D.C. This event honors recent accomplishments in the sector and enables ARM members to advocate on Capitol Hill for legislative support of gene and cellular therapies and other regenerative medicines.

To be held May 24, ARM's Annual Dinner is an intimate gathering to recognize key corporate, scientific and policy leaders in this sector, including members of Congress, patients and patient advocates, disease-foundation executives and other industry champions. More than 150 guests are expected to attend.

This year's lead sponsor is Sangamo BioSciences, with supporting sponsors Lonza; PCT, a Caladrius Company; and ThermoFisher Scientific. Table hosts include Akron Biotech; Audentes Therapeutics; Celgene Cellular Therapeutics; Cognate BioServices, Inc.; Janssen R&D; MaxCyte; Millipore Sigma; and Precision Biosciences.

ARM Chairman and President and CEO of Sangamo BioSciences Edward Lanphier will kick off the evening with welcome remarks. Featured speakers include:

Ivan Borrello, M.D., Associate Professor, Cellular and Molecular Medicine Program, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine 
Julie Venners Christensen, Head of Global Patient Advocacy -- Gene Therapy, R&D, Rare Disease Unit, GlaxoSmithKline
Tom Whitehead, Co-Founder, Emily Whitehead Foundation 

ARM will also present its annual "Legislator of the Year" award to a key lawmaker who has demonstrated recent and substantial leadership in advancing this sector. This year, ARM will present the award to U.S. Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL). The only Ph.D. scientist currently serving in the U.S. Congress, Congressman Foster has been a longtime supporter of the life science industry.

In March 2016, Congressman Foster introduced the Advanced Standards in Regenerative Medicine Act, the House companion bill to S.2443, introduced by U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) in January. The legislation directs the U.S. FDA to facilitate the establishment of a Standards Coordinating Body in Regenerative Medicine and Advanced Therapies, as well to support the efforts of the coordinating body in the development and implementation of material and process standards essential to the timely advancement and approval of new regenerative therapies to treat major unmet medical needs.

The following day, on May 25, ARM members will participate in the organization's annual Legislative Fly-In, building off of last year's record participation levels to maximize legislative impact. Members will form state delegations to meet with key members of Congress, detailing the immense near-term potential of gene and cellular therapies and the need for supportive legislation.

The Annual Dinner will be held at the St. Regis in Washington, D.C. and is open to the public, however registration is required. ARM's Legislative Fly-In is limited to members of the organization and registration is also required. To register and for more information about this event, please visit http://alliancerm.org/event/annual-dinner-legislative-fly. 

Please contact Chelsey Hathaway ([e-mail]) for additional information or any questions about this event. 

About The Alliance for Regenerative Medicine
The Alliance for Regenerative Medicine (ARM) is an international multi-stakeholder advocacy organization that promotes legislative, regulatory and reimbursement initiatives necessary to facilitate access to life-giving advances in regenerative medicine worldwide. ARM also works to increase public understanding of the field and its potential to transform human healthcare, providing business development and investor outreach services to support the growth of its member companies and research organizations. Prior to the formation of ARM in 2009, there was no advocacy organization operating in Washington, D.C. to specifically represent the interests of the companies, research institutions, investors and patient groups that comprise the entire regenerative medicine community. Today, ARM has more than 240 members and is the leading global advocacy organization in this field. To learn more about ARM or to become a member, visit http://www.alliancerm.org.

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