#Israel #Tel Aviv #Cytora #Dr. Serena #hOMSC

Cytora Welcomes Dr. Thomas E. Serena to Scientific Advisory Board

Cytora Ltd., a biotechnology company originally established to pioneer allogeneic stem cell therapies, recently made headlines with the appointment of Dr. Thomas E. Serena, a luminary in the field of wound care, to its Scientific Advisory Board.

The move comes at a crucial juncture for Cytora, as it seeks to leverage Dr. Serena's extensive experience in wound healing and patient care strategies to advance its innovative CytoraStem™ human Oral Mucosa Stem Cell (hOMSC) therapy. This groundbreaking therapy has a special focus on addressing chronic wounds, specifically hard-to-heal diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), which pose significant health challenges for numerous patients worldwide.

A Visionary in Wound Care

Dr. Serena, the Founder and Medical Director of The SerenaGroup®, has devoted his career to improving wound care through clinical research. With over 350 peer-reviewed publications to his credit and more than 2,500 invited lectures globally, his expertise is widely acknowledged. Throughout his career, he has assumed influential roles in various medical societies, contributing substantially to the advancement of wound care practices and clinical research methodologies.

"We are truly honored to welcome Dr. Serena to our team at this pivotal point for Cytora," remarked Dr. Yona Geffen, CEO of Cytora. "His wealth of knowledge and proven track record in clinical research will be essential as we move forward with our investigational CytoraStem™ hOMSC platform."

Cytora is particularly optimistic about the application of this therapy in treating diabetic foot ulcers, a condition estimated to impact around 125,000 new patients each year in Florida alone. Additionally, the potential for extending treatment to other chronic wounds and pain-related conditions is under evaluation, reflecting a broader commitment to enhancing patient outcomes in various medical settings.

Navigating Regulatory Landscapes

In concert with its U.S. partners, Made Scientific, Inc. and ZEO ScientifiX, Inc., Cytora is laying the groundwork for the investigational therapy to reach patients under Florida's Senate Bill 1768—legislation that allows for the use of investigational stem cell therapies under specific conditions. By tapping into Dr. Serena's extensive network of clinical research sites and wound care centers, Cytora aims to ensure high-quality evidence generation and efficient patient access to its treatments.

"Joining Cytora's Scientific Advisory Board is a tremendous honor for me during such a transformative time," commented Dr. Serena. "This initiative in Florida represents a unique opportunity to deliver an innovative and well-characterized stem cell therapy to patients suffering from DFUs and other chronic wounds, while simultaneously generating vital real-world data to advance the field of wound care globally."

The CytoraStem™ Platform

Cytora's proprietary CytoraStem™ platform stands at the forefront of regenerative medicine. Created to address serious medical challenges, Cytora’s therapies target significant unmet needs such as chronic diabetic foot ulcers and neurodegenerative disorders that include diseases like Alzheimer's and Multiple System Atrophy (MSA). The company has already successfully completed a Phase 1/2a trial specifically focused on DFUs and is actively conducting further studies.

The origins of this innovative therapeutic approach can be traced back to the discoveries made by Prof. Sandu Pitaru from Tel Aviv University, who has been instrumental in developing the company’s scientific foundation.

In summary, Dr. Thomas E. Serena’s addition to Cytora’s Scientific Advisory Board is viewed as a monumental step towards enhancing the accessibility and efficacy of groundbreaking stem cell therapies designed to significantly improve the lives of patients suffering from complex, hard-to-heal wounds. As Cytora advances in its mission, the combination of innovative science and dedicated expertise offers a beacon of hope for many.

For those interested in learning more about Cytora and its initiatives, additional information can be found at cytorastem.com.