MetroHealth System joins Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals partnership
The National Center for Regenerative Medicine, a leader in cellular manufacturing and regenerative medicine, formally added The MetroHealth System as an institutional member following a vote by the organization's board of governors last month.
The National Center for Regenerative Medicine is driven by three nationally ranked medical research powerhouses, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals. Research discoveries are actively translated into cell-based therapies for patient care through this network of scientists and clinicians. It is home to a state-of-the-art Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) -compliant cellular therapy manufacturing facility - one of few in academic institutions in the United States.
Stan Gerson, MD, director of the National Center for Regenerative Medicine, said the addition of MetroHealth will strengthen current collaborative projects with MetroHealth researchers and will expand the breadth of cellular therapy and regenerative medicine being conducted across the city. "With the addition of MetroHealth as a formal institutional member, all cellular therapy activities in the city are now united under the Center's umbrella, fostering collaboration, promoting efficiency, and expanding possibilities for better treatments and new discoveries."
"The National Center for Regenerative Medicine is leading the way in regenerative medicine, stem cell research, cellular manufacturing and clinical trials for cellular therapeutics," said Bernard Boulanger, MD, MetroHealth Executive Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer. "The addition of MetroHealth as a full member of the Center enhances our ability to bring these cutting-edge advances to the patients we serve."
William Tse, MD, director of MetroHealth's division of Hematology/Oncology and deputy director of the MetroHealth Cancer Center, credits the membership invitation as a direct result of the MetroHealth System's leadership, vision and investment in cellular immunotherapy research. "Joining the National Center for Regenerative Medicine raises our status in the world of cancer research and treatment and makes us a more competitive institution for decades to come. We are part of an elite partnership now," said Tse. "It will provide us with the regulatory support that will allow new treatments developed at MetroHealth to gain FDA approval more efficiently and our patients to experience the benefits of our research more quickly."
