TheraVitae CEO Speaks at Peripheral Arterial Disease Symposium

Yesterday, TheraVitae issued the following press release to announce their sponsorship of a symposium for medical professionals entitled ‘Update and Advanced Management in Peripheral Arterial Disease' which was held on April 18th in Bangkok, Thailand.

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TheraVitae CEO Speaks at Peripheral Arterial Disease Symposium

Dr. Valentin Fulga, CEO of TheraVitae Ltd., spoke on the ‘Role of Stem Cell Therapy in Non-Reconstructable Ischemic Limbs’ at a symposium on Peripheral Artery Disease held April 18th in Bangkok, Thailand.

Bangkok, Thailand, April 19, 2006 -- Dr. Valentin Fulga, CEO of TheraVitae, Ltd., an international biotechnology company and the producer of VesCell™ - adult stem cell therapy for heart disease, spoke at a symposium entitled ‘Update and Advanced Management in Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD). This seminar for medical professionals, which was sponsored by Astella Pharma (Thailand) and TheraVitae (Thailand), was held on April 18 at Queen Sirikit National Conference Center, Bangkok, Thailand.

The opening speaker, Associate Professor Pramook Mutirangura MD, FRCST, FRCS (Edinburgh), Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University; discussed ‘Introduction, Definition and Epidemiology Study of Peripheral Arterial Disease in Thai Patients’. Dr. Mutirangura is currently conducting a clinical trial using autologous adult stem cells from peripheral blood to treat severe peripheral artery disease in the lower limbs.

Also speaking, on the ‘Role of Intervention Therapy for PAD’, was Associate Professor Damras Tresukosol, MD, FRCPT Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University. Dr. Tresukosol is conducting a clinical trial using autologous adult stem cells from peripheral blood to treat angina pectoris in patients suffering from ischemic heart disease. The interim results of this trial were presented at the American Heart Association’s annual meeting in Dallas last year.

Other distinguished speakers included:

*Assistant Professor Wiwun Tungsubutra, MD, FACC, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University

*Dr. Chumpol Wongwanit, MD, FRCST, Fellow in Vascular Surgery (Sydney)
Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University

This symposium was held as part of Siriraj Hospital’s commemorations of the 60th Anniversary Celebration of His Majesty’s Accession to the Throne which are taking place throughout 2006. The hospital itself was originally founded by His Majesty’s father, Prince Mahidol, who is regarded as the father of modern Thai medicine.

TheraVitae’s Public Relations Manager, Mr. Jay D. Lenner Jr., described the April 18 event as, “A great opportunity for healthcare professionals to share, gain, and spread information on the treatment of Peripheral Arterial Disease,” going on to add “Thousands suffer from undiagnosed PAD in Thailand annually. Therefore, we, at TheraVitae, are delighted to take a leading role in the symposium and would like to extend our thanks to our colleagues at Siriraj Hospital; and co-sponsors Astella Pharma (Thailand), for their support and vision in helping spread word of innovative methods of diagnosis and treatment of PAD.”

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