IN-PERSON: “The tremendous potential of stem cells to treat a wide range of diseases has captured the imaginations of patients, practitioners, scientists and entrepreneurs worldwide for decades. However, despite being widely marketed to the public for their regenerative properties and their promise to revolutionize medicine, stem cell therapies often carry claims that far exceed the known benefits. At best, the procedures are largely ineffective, and at worst, patients are exposed to severe health complications.

“At this event, expert panelists will discuss proven and unproven stem cell interventions with a focus on the current evidence for clinical use, including what evidence is related to clinical research, how it is obtained and why it is essential. Panelists will also highlight the current clinical and promotional landscape of stem cell-based interventions and how the FDA uses and views the evidence in its decision-making. Lastly, they will discuss how stem cell-based interventions are classified to determine whether they require FDA approval.”

### Agenda

7:30 am — Breakfast

8:00 am — Presentation

### Registration

This event is free, but registration is required. Registration will open closer to the day of the event.

### Participants

#### Welcome

[Kirstin R.W. Matthews, Ph.D.](https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/kirstin-rw-matthews)

Fellow in Science and Technology Policy, Baker Institute

#### Featured Speakers

[Adrian F. Hernandez, M.D., M.HS.](https://dcri.org/adrian-hernandez/)

Executive Director, Duke Clinical Research Institute; Vice Dean, Duke University School of Medicine

[Heather Lombardi, Ph.D.](https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-lombardi-59391a9/)

Director, Office of Cellular Therapy and Human Tissues, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration

#### Moderator

[Joseph G. Rogers, M.D.](https://www.texasheart.org/people/joseph-g-rogers/)

President and Chief Executive Officer, Texas Heart Institute

### Registration

This event is free, but registration is required.

NOTE: RSVP’ing on this Meetup page DOES NOT mean you are registered for the event itself.

Event page and registration: [Stem Cell Therapies: Hype, Hope and Evidence-based Decisions | Baker Institute](https://www.bakerinstitute.org/event/stem-cell-therapies-hype-hope-and-evidence-based-decisions)

Baker Institute on the Rice Interactive Map: [https://map.concept3d.com/?id=473#!m/120221?ct/13398](https://map.concept3d.com/?id=473#!m/120221?ct/13398)

Campus parking: [https://parking.rice.edu/parking-facilities-and-rates](https://parking.rice.edu/parking-facilities-and-rates)

To sign up for the Baker Institute newsletter, including upcoming events, go here:[ https://www.bakerinstitute.org/baker-institute-update/](https://www.bakerinstitute.org/baker-institute-update/)