BOCA RATON, Fla., Aug. 13, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Gift of Life Bone Marrow Registry today announced the appointment of Yen-Michael Hsu, MD, Ph.D., MBA, CABP as Co-Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Hsu’s medical oversight includes the activities of the Gift of Life Center for Cell and Gene Therapy and the Gift of Life-NMDP Collection Center. He will also serve as Medical Affairs Director of Gift of Life Biologics.
Dr. Hsu joins Co-Chief Medical Officer Dr. Bruce Lenes, who has led Gift of Life’s medical and laboratory functions for many years. Together, they position the organization for continued growth and innovation in the field of cell therapy and stem cell donation.
“We are proud to have Dr. Hsu join the team as a member of the executive leadership team,” said Jay Feinberg, founder and CEO of the Gift of Life Marrow Registry. “He will support Gift of Life’s mission by leveraging his extensive background in cell therapy to advance research, support next-generation therapies, enhance the donor experience and improve patient outcomes.”
Prior to joining Gift of Life, Dr. Hsu was an Associate Professor of Medicine and directed both the Adult HSC Laboratory and the cGMP Cell Therapy Manufacturing Facility at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center in Pennsylvania, one of the largest cell therapy operations in the country. Previously, he served as Chief of Cell Therapy at New York Presbyterian Hospital – Weill Cornell Medical Center and the first Medical Director of the cGMP Cell Therapy Facility there. Dr. Hsu is the author of over 45 scientific publications and has received over 15 external research grants in cell therapy and blood transfusion. He is recognized worldwide as an expert in cell therapy and has presented over 35 invited panel presentations at professional society meetings.
“Cellular starting material is one of the most critical elements in the life cycle of current life-saving and innovative cell/gene therapy,” said Dr. Hsu. “Sourcing high-quality human hematopoietic stem cells and immune effector cells will ensure their maximum treatment efficacy and safety for patients in need. Gift of Life has the entire supply chain and the perfect one-stop shop to give patients with hematological malignancies a second chance at life. I am extremely honored to join the organization’s incredible mission to cure blood cancer through cell therapy.”
Dr. Hsu earned his MD from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, his Ph.D. from MD Anderson Cancer Center, and his Executive MBA in Public Health from the University of Pittsburgh. A board-certified pathologist and transfusion medicine physician, Dr. Hsu is an active investigator for both the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT) and the College of American Pathologists (CAP). He is also certified as an Advanced Biotherapy Professional by the Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies (AABB).
Dr. Hsu is originally from Taiwan, Republic of China, and became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2000. He speaks both English and Mandarin. He recently moved to Boca Raton, Florida with his wife and two children.
About the Gift of Life Marrow Registry
Gift of Life Marrow Registry is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization based in Boca Raton, Florida. Founded in 1991, the organization is dedicated to saving lives by providing blood stem cell and bone marrow transplants for patients with leukemia, lymphoma, and other blood disorders. The registry has its own state-of-the-art stem cell collection center, biobank, and laboratory. For more information about the Gift of Life Marrow Registry, visit www.giftoflife.org.
Media contact: Amy Glanzman
Phone: (561) 982-2900; E-mail: [email protected]
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/579ab088-f329-4a8c-9d5b-8c1f72244bb3
