Date: 03/10/2015

Final
Presentation from the Gates Center

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC HEALTH CARE & HUMAN SERVICES

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
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01:34 PM -- Presentation from the Gates Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell

Representative Primavera introduced the presenters from the Gates Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Biology at the University of Colorado, Dr. Dennis Rupp, Director of the Gates Center, and Tim Gardner, Director of Finance for the Gates Center. A copy of the presentation (Attachment A) and the center's 2013 annual report (Attachment B) were distributed to the committee. Dr. Rupp explained the origin of the Gates Center for Regenerative Medicine and stated that the center focuses on research involving adult, not embryonic, stem cells. He discussed the technology that is used to reprogram adult human skin cells into embryonic-like stem cells (iPS), and the scientists who won the 2012 Nobel prize in medicine for this discovery. He discussed how the center is using the iPS cells to treat patients with genetic defects and noted that iPS-based therapies are being developed to treat Parkinson's Disease, cardiovascular diseases, cartilage and bone regeneration, and macular degeneration. Dr. Rupp responded to questions from the committee.

150310 AttachA.pdf150310 AttachA.pdf150310 AttachB.pdf150310 AttachB.pdf

01:52 PM

Dr. Rupp discussed stem cells in the blood and how therapies may be developed to prevent organ rejection in kidney transplants. He further discussed how damaged corneas can be repaired with stem cell technology. He explained that the Gates Center is building the Gates Biomanufacturing Production (GMP) Facility. Mr. Gardner discussed the facility, which will specialize in both protein production and cell therapies. He further described the GMP, which is a clean manufacturing environment with specific operating procedures and discussed how the GMP facility will facilitate stem cell therapies for patients in Colorado. Dr. Rupp responded to questions from the committee. Mr. Garnder discussed GMP facilities in other states, and noted that only five, including the Gates Center, have combined cell therapy and protein production facilities.