23 Jun Cellular Dynamics makes hire to prepare for stem cell therapies
By Kathleen Gallagher, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Cellular Dynamics International Inc., a Madison company at the forefront of making human cells that might someday be used to help cure disease, has hired an executive to lead its cell manufacturing.
Derek Hei is CDI’s new vice president of clinical manufacture, quality and regulatory activities, the company said. Hei was previously director of Waisman Biomanufacturing, a facility at the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he established biotherapeutics and cell therapy contract manufacturing.
“We want to put people on notice that we’re going to treat patients and cure patients,” said Chris Parker, executive vice president and chief business officer.
Hei is the first high-level hire CDI has made since it was acquired in May by Tokyo-based Fujifilm Holdings Corp. He will help CDI comply with “Current Good Manufacturing Practice” regulations enforced by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Hei has a Ph.D in biochemical engineering from the University of California, Berkeley, and a bachelor of science in chemical engineering from the UW-Madison. Read more …