Sioux Falls, S.D.-based Sanford Health CEO Kelby Krabbenhoft, four Sanford research scientists and benefactor T. Denny Sanford will speak at a major international conference this week in the Vatican City, presenting on stem cell therapy, regenerative medicine and philanthropy, according to the Argus Leader.
The Cellular Horizons conference, which will run from Thursday to Saturday, will focus on developments in regenerative medicine and its cultural impact, according to the report. It will focus on pediatric cancers and rare genetic diseases, as well as aging-related diseases. The conference was established by the Vatican's Pontifical Council for Culture and New York City-based Stem for Life Foundation.
Pope Francis is schedule to appear, as well as Vice President Joe Biden, who is also schedule to speak at the event.
According to the conference agenda, David Pearce, PhD, president of Sanford Research, and Jill Weimer, PhD, will participate on panels on therapies under development for type 1 diabetes and rare genetic diseases. Sanford Health's Eckhard Alt, MD, PhD, and Philip Schoettle, MD, will present on how to isolate stem cells, repair them and use them to restore damaged tissue, the Argus Leader reported.
Mr. Sanford, who donated $400 million to Sanford Health in 2007 — the largest gift ever given to a healthcare organization — and Mr. Krabbenhoft will sit on the panel on philanthropy, according to the report.