Dr. Joseph C. Maroon Named Chairman of Scientific and Medical Advisory Board at Stemedica Cell Technologies

Sewickley resident Dr. Joseph C. Maroon last week was named chairman of the Scientific and Medical Advisory Board of Stemedica Cell Technologies, a leader in the manufacturing, research and development of adult allogenic stem cells.

Maroon, Vice Chairman of the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Steelers’ team neurosurgeon for more than a generation, sees patients via UPMC and Tri-State Neurosurgical Associates offices in Moon and Wexford.

Maroon, who additionally serves as a Pitt professor and the Heindl Scholar in Neuroscience at UPMC, is considered one of the country’s leading specialists in surgically repairing brain and spinal injuries and disease. He has authored more than 250 peer-reviewed papers among his research.

“Stem cells are taking on an increasingly important role in the treatment of multiple neurological conditions,” Maroon said, referring to the company based in San Diego and Lausanne, Switzerland. “I have been impressed with Stemedica’s credentials as a cGMP manufacturer of its proprietary lines of ischemic tolerant neural and mesenchymal stem cells that are licensed for use in clinical trials. These cells possess the important safety, potency, purity and immune-privileged characteristics that are needed in translational medicine. I look forward to helping to guide the Company’s scientific and medical efforts as they move forward in the clinical process toward commercialization.”

“I join my colleagues (on the board) in welcoming Dr. Maroon,” added Dr. David G. Armstrong, professor of surgery and director of the Southern Arizona Limb Salvage Alliance at the University of Arizona Department of Surgery. “Many of the conditions targeted by Stemedica involve ischemia and nerve damage. Addressing these complicated disease mechanisms requires integrative, synergistic approaches among multiple specialists. Dr. Maroon brings a depth and breadth of experience that will be helpful in our efforts to help patients.”

“Strategically, Stemedica is strengthening affiliations with respected researchers and clinicians at the major medical institutions in the United States and abroad,” continued Dr. William Maloney, professor and chair of the Stanford University School of Medicine Orthopaedic Surgery and a fellow board member. “The University of Pittsburgh is well-recognized as one of the leading centers for the evaluation and treatment of neurological trauma and is also one of the top institutions in stem cell research. Dr. Maroon has been a major contributor to the field of neurological trauma. I am personally delighted to welcome another strong academically oriented physician to the Stemedica team.”