Plasticell, a UK biotechnology firm specialising in regenerative medicine using 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 (CSO).
Prior to this appointment, Dr Chuang was Research Director at the Regenerative Medicine unit of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), where he worked for more than 18 years. As Plasticell’s CSO, Dr Chuang takes on responsibility for preclinical therapeutic programmes, scientific oversight of collaborations and alliances, as well as external scientific communications.
Dr Chuang initiated the first stem cell drug discovery programme at 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 UK Stem Cell Initiative, UK 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 was also the lead biologist initiating GSK's cell and gene therapy projects, and the lead scientist in the company's neuro-regeneration and brain repair programme.
