APstem is committed to addressing the world’s most challenging and currently incurable diseases.
APstem was founded on a breakthrough discovery of adult stem cells derived from mouse peripheral blood, with core intellectual property exclusively licensed from Stanford University.
APstem subsequently established human Guide-Integrated Adult Stem Cells (giaSCs)(patented).
giaCs have demonstrated significant regenerative ability and safety profile. The therapeutic efficacy of giaSCs has been proven in a variety of injury or disease animal models, including type I and type II diabetes, chronic wounds (diabetic wounds treatment discussed via pre-IND meeting with the FDA), and central nervous system disease.
At APstem, we believe regeneration was never lost—only silenced.
Our discovery of a dormant pluripotent cell circulating in adult blood changes everything.
For the first time in history, this cell has been activated in vitro without reprogramming.
We’re restoring nature’s original instructions for tissue repair, immune balance, and organ rejuvenation—beginning with Type 1 Diabetes.
APstem Therapeutics is a proud member of the StartX community.
The APstem Team
Min Hu MD, PhD
Founder, CEO
and President
Dr. Min Hu has more than 20 years of experience in the fields of stem cell biology, gene therapy and regenerative medicine.
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From a scientist at Stanford University to a leader of a biotech company, Dr. Hu has accumulated solid background knowledge and first-hand experience of clinical cell therapies as well as business operation.
Shaowei Li MD
Co-Founder, CSO
and Vice President
Prior to joining APstem Therapeutics, Dr. Shaowei Li conducted stem cell research at Stanford University for well over 10 years.
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Dr. Li has broad knowledge and expertise in the stem cell field and biological experiments as well as in clinical treatments. His studies focus on development of new and effective stem cell products and therapies.
Advisory Board
Jane Lebkowski,
PhD
Dr. Lebkowski is an internationally recognized leader in the development of cell and gene-based therapies.
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She has direct management experience in the multi-disciplinary functions required to translate research discoveries to therapeutic products.
Jonathan Lakey,
Ph.D., MSM
Dr. Lakey is a world-renowned diabetes and islet transplantation expert and co-developer of the Edmonton Protocol…
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an international treatment for type 1 diabetes. Dr. Lakey is currently a Professor Emeritus in Departments Surgery and Biomedical Engineering at University of California Irvine. Dr. Lakey served as Director of the Clinical Islet Program in the Department of Surgery and Director of the Department of Surgery Stem cell laboratory. He has received numerous awards for his achievements in transplantation research and sits on the Scientific Advisory Boards for several diabetes and biotechnology companies, on regulatory boards establishing safety standards for cell and tissue transplantation, and on editorial boards of diabetes, biomaterial and transplantation journals. Dr. Lakey is widely sought as a speaker in the field of diabetes, islet transplantation and biomaterials in transplantation. His recent focus on stem cells and peptides has advanced the scientific methods and protocols used today.
Jeffrey L. Cleland, PhD
.
Dr. Cleland has 30 years of industry experience in research and development -
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including more than a decade at Genentech, Inc. He is currently the Chairman, CEO, President and co-founder of Ashvattha Therapeutics, Inc., a private clinical stage company developing novel nanomedicines in ophthalmology, neurology and inflammation. His experience in startups includes major roles in obtaining more than $500 million in capital at stages from Series A through D and exit via IPO including over $400 million in capital raised as CEO.
As the founding CEO of Versartis (VSAR), he led one of top biotech IPOs of all time. After Versartis, he led the Series B financing and clinical translation of novel Johns Hopkins University technology as CEO of Graybug Vision (GRAY). He held executive management positions at BaroFold, Novacea and Targesome, and has managed directly all aspects of drug development and late-stage research.
While at Genentech, Dr. Cleland served in product development and manufacturing roles. He held important leadership roles in the successful approval of two drugs, Herceptin® and Nutropin Depot®, as well as in early work on Lucentis®, Avastin®, and Kadcyla®.
He holds a BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of California, Davis and a PhD in Chemical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dr. Cleland has authored more than 100 articles and four books and holds several issued patents. He serves on the Boards of BIO, Elixirgen Therapeutics, and Syncromune, and has advisory roles with small emerging biotechnology companies.
Mark S. Kipnes, MD
.
Dr. Kipnes is a diabetes & metabolism endocrinologist. He has over 40 years of clinical experience in diabetes treatment and clinical trials.
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Dr. Kipnes is Research Director at Diabetes & Glandular Disease Clinic and has numerous publications on diabetes and metabolic diseases.
Alexander Reyzelman, DPM
Dr. Reyzelman is board certified in Podiatric Surgery and Professor at the California School of Podiatric Medicine at Samuel Merritt University.
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He founded Bay Area Foot Care in 1998 (as President), Center for Clinical Research in 2003 (as CEO), and Center for Limb Preservation at UCSF in 2011 (as Co-Director). Dr. Reyzelman is a member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, American Podiatric Medical Association, and California Podiatric Medical Association.
George Michalopoulos,
MD, PhD
Dr. Michalopoulos is a pioneer in the study of molecular pathways involved in liver regeneration.
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As chairman of the Pathology Department at UPMC, Dr. Michalopoulos is in charge of the hospitals’ laboratories and the processing and diagnosis of biopsy materials.
.
Tho Pham, MD
.
Dr. Pham is Clinical Associate Professor at Stanford University and Chief Medical Officer at Stanford Blood Center.
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He also serves as Scientific Committee Co-Chair for the California Blood Bank Society (CBBS) and a member of American Association of Blood Banks (AABB). Dr. Pham is board certified by American Board of Pathology, Blood Banking/Transfusion Medicine and Anatomic and Clinical Pathology.
Michael Siani-Rose
.
Michael Siani-Rose has over 20 years of experience in the fields of regenerative medicine, biotechnology and bioinformatics.
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He is currently a project management consultant to Big Pharma/Biotech, directing projects that reach broadly across manufacturing organizations.