Plasticell, a regenerative medicine company utilizing combinatorial technologies for stem cell research and in developing cell therapies, has recruited Dr. Aaron Chuang to its executive management team in the role of chief scientific officer. Previously, Chuang was research director at the regenerative medicine unit of GlaxoSmithKline, where he worked for over 18 years. As Plasticell’s chief scientific officer, Chuang takes on responsibility for preclinical therapeutic programmes, scientific oversight of collaborations and alliances, as well as external scientific communications. 

Chuang initiated the first stem cell drug discovery program in GSK in 2004, and was the main driver behind the company’s stem cell R&D, as well as industrial advisor on high profile stem cell initiatives including the U.K. Stem Cell Initiative, U.K. Cell Therapy Catapult and the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine. He was a key player in establishing GSK’s alliance with the Harvard Stem Cell Institute in 2008, and has coordinated all collaborative projects. He also was the lead biologist initiating GSK's cell and gene therapy projects, and the lead scientist in the company's neuro-regeneration and brain repair program.

Chuang, chief scientific officer, said, “I have collaborated with Plasticell in a number of exciting initiatives including the spin-out of its sister company Progenitor Therapeutics. There is no doubt that Plasticell's CombiCult is a game changer in our field and I look forward to helping the company leverage this technology across both cell therapy and cell manufacturing, as well as drug discovery and development.”