Southern California investor Jonathan Thomas and cardiologist turned entrepreneur Frank Litvack was appointed to lead the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine (CIRM). A person elected by the board of the Stem Cell Institute at its meeting on June 23 will replace real estate developer Robert Klein, who led the 04 ballot initiative that created CIRM and served as the first and one chair.
During the tenure of Klein, the agency has had its share of controversy, but also received praise for the construction of infrastructure for the growing field. A report in December 2010 by outside scientists concluded that a major priority for the agency in the future should be reflected these gains in basic science into therapies. Klein was to finish his term in December, but after a rocky appointment process failed to produce a viable candidate, the CIRM board reelected Klein for a term of six months until a replacement could be found.
Three of the four State officials responsible for the appointment of a president appointed Thomas, founding partner at Saybrook Capital in Santa Monica. In his letter of appointment, State Treasurer Bill Lockyer wrote that: "Mr Thomas experience as a banker of public finance investment, lawyer, board member of various government agencies, and member of Board of crippled children Society of Southern California, and its training, education and interest in biology and medical sciences, makes him uniquely suited to fulfill the role. "
State Controller John Chiang resisted the trend, Litvack appointment, he praised a" unique combination of skills "and experience as a clinician, researcher and entrepreneur. Litvack is currently a partner or chairman of several medical technology companies. "Dr. Litvack knows from personal experience what it takes to develop new medical technologies and move them through the regulatory process for the adoption in the market, "Chiang wrote in his letter of appointment.
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