Regenestem is also presenting an upcoming conference in Cuba devoted to regenerative medicine, in association with the Cuban Institute of Hematology and Immunology. The First Inter American Stem Cell Conference will be held over October 13-15, at the Palacio de Convenciones, in Havana, to explore whether stem cell therapies are ready to become a standard form of treatment. It will also provide hands-on training workshops.
To learn more about progress with adult stem cell therapies and opportunities for education and collaboration in this area, enjoy the interview with Ricardo de Cubas below.
Interview with Ricardo de Cubas, CEO of Regenestem, LLC
Cade Hildreth: What is your background and how did you first become involved with regenerative medicine?
Ricardo de Cubas: My father was a doctor and I was always fascinated with medicine. I never pursued a medical career against my father’s wishes, but I did get a business degree from Florida International University. During my career as a serial entrepreneur I was always looking for the next great opportunity and I stumbled across regenerative medicine. I started working with a physician in Florida who was active in the field and I decided to take what he was doing to a whole new level. So I developed a physician training model, patient model, licensing and technology distribution model. Today Regenestem is a small successful business with 7 licensing deals around the world.
Cade Hildreth: When and how was Regenestem founded?
Ricardo de Cubas: Regenestem was founded in March 2012 and it was originally a patient advocacy company helping educate patients on stem cell treatments.
Cade Hildreth: What is the core focus of Regenestem?
Ricardo de Cubas: Regenestem is dedicated to providing solutions to patients and physicians who are looking for novel treatments and technologies in the Regenerative Medicine field. Regenestem has trained over 400 physicians in 20 different cities around the world. Our physicians have treated over 2000 patients with different indications all over the world.
Cade Hildreth: What inspired Regenestem to host the First Inter American Stem Cell Conference in Cuba this year (October 13-15, 2016)?
Ricardo de Cubas: When President Obama opened relations with Cuba last year I saw a tremendous opportunity to do something in the medical field in Cuba. Growing up with a father who was a Cuban trained physician I always heard stories on how amazing the medicine was in Cuba and the history speaks for itself. My inspiration is my father and to be able to organize an event of this magnitude in my family’s homeland is also truly an inspiration. We cannot forget that Cuba has been the “forbidden fruit” for 57 years! This is an opportunity of a lifetime and you can’t mix politics with science.
Cade Hildreth: What will be the emphasis of this historic 3-day conference?
Ricardo de Cubas:
- The process of replacing, engineering or regenerating human cells, tissues or organs to restore or establish normal function.
- Clinical applications for adult stem cell therapies and explore whether they are ready to become a standard form of treatment.
- Regenerative medicine and cellular therapy for treating different illnesses
- Adult stem cells derived from adipose tissue, bone marrow and use of growth factors
- Use of platelets and platelet components in regenerative medicine and cellular therapy.
- Obtaining pluripotent stem cells and growth factors for use in regenerative medicine.
Cade Hildreth: Who will be presenting at the first Inter American Stem Cell Conference?
Ricardo de Cubas:
Arnold I. Caplan, Ph.D.
Professor of Biology
Director Skeletal Research Center
Case Western Reserve University
Rocky S. Tuan, Ph.D.
Director of the Cellular and Molecular Engineering Lab
University of Pittsburgh
Anthony Atala, MD
Director of the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine
Wake Forest University
Joshua M. Hare, MD, FACC, FAHA
Director, Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Robert M. Nerem, Ph.D.
Stem Cell Manufacturing
Georgia Institute of Technology
Jakub Tolar, MD, Ph.D.
Professor and Director Stem Cell Institute
University of Minnesota
Sydney R. Coleman, MD
New York University Medical Center, Department of Plastic Surgery
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Department of Plastic Surgery
John P. Salerno MD
Founder of The Salerno Center
Board Certified in Family Medicine
World-renowned lecturer and author
Co-Founder of over 20 Anti-Aging clinics throughout the world
Preceptor at Yale
Charles Mahl, MD
Regenerative and Age Management Medicine
Prolotherapy/PRP/Stem Cell/Hormones
Cuban Speakers
Dr. Porfirio Hernandez, Ph.D.
Hematology Specialist
Dr. Consuelo Macias Abraham, Ph.D.
Hematology Specialist
Dr. Jose Armando Galvan Cabrera, Ph.D.
Biochemistry Specialist
Dr. Aymara Baganet Cobas
Orthopedic and Traumatology Specialist
Dr. Norma Fernandez Delgado
Hematology Specialist
Dr. Amparo Borrego Perez, Ph.D.
Periodonic Specialist
Dr. Anadely Gamez Perez
Hematology Specialist
Dr. Alfredo Ceballos Mesa, Ph.D.
Orthopedic and Traumatology Specialist
Dr. Heriberto Artaza Sanz
Angiology Specialist
Cade Hildreth: What are your goals for this conference?
Ricardo de Cubas: My goal of this conference is to give US based Physicians and Cuban physicians the opportunity to share their studies and clinical results to help improve health care not only in their countries, but worldwide. Cuba is known for its rich history in medicine from Dr. Finlay and Dr. Castellano and today Cuban doctors and scientists are known for their developments such as the lung cancer vaccine CimaVax and the only proven treatment for Retinitis Pigmentosa. Whenever you can put great minds together in a room for a couple of days the wealth of information that can be shared is priceless and humanity is going to be the benefactor.
Cade Hildreth: What types of participants will be attending?
Ricardo de Cubas: It will be attended by physicians, scientists, and medical professionals.
Cade Hildreth: In your opinion, how will stem cell therapies impact the future of medicine?
Ricardo de Cubas: I believe that stem cell therapies are impacting medicine today. In orthopedics and respiratory diseases, cellular therapies are being used with tremendous results. Knee surgeries will be a thing of the past. The University of Miami guarantees that diabetes type 1 will be cured using stem cells within seven years. Organs will be created in labs and organ donations will no longer exist. The future is bright and we will live to see the massive paradigm shift in medicine. It is really exciting and we are blessed to be living through these amazing developments in regenerative medicine.
Cade Hildreth: How can people contact you to get involved with the First Inter American Stem Cell Conference or learn more about Regenestem?
Ricardo de Cubas: They can e-mail me at rdecubas@regenestem.com Office phone- 305-224-1858 Conference website www.regenestemconference.com
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