Spine device company InVivo Therapeutics has named Edward Wirth, MD, PhD, as the company's new chief science officer, according to an InVivo news release.
Dr. Wirth will lead the first human clinical study for acute spinal cord injury patients using the company's proprietary scaffold without drugs or cells. The study is currently awaiting FDA approval and the company hopes it will begin in early 2012.
Dr. Wirth was previously the medical director for regenerative medicine with Geron, where he led the world's first human embryonic stem cell clinical trial. He has spent the past 20 years studying the role cell therapies may play in helping patients with SCI.
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Dr. Wirth was previously the medical director for regenerative medicine with Geron, where he led the world's first human embryonic stem cell clinical trial. He has spent the past 20 years studying the role cell therapies may play in helping patients with SCI.
Related Articles on Spine Surgery:
Humanitarian Spine Care: 5 Things to Know About Spine Africa Project
How Are Spine Surgeons Using BMP Today? 10 Surgeon Responses
A New Hope for Treating Spinal Cord Injury: 5 Points on InVivo Therapeutics' Technology