Cryoport Appoints Robert Hariri to its Board

Cryoport, Inc., a provider of cryogenic logistics services to the life sciences industry, has appointed Robert Hariri, MD, Ph.D. to its board of directors.
 
Dr. Hariri is the chairman, founder and chief scientific officer of Celgene Cellular Therapeutics, a human cellular therapeutics company and wholly owned subsidiary of Celgene Corp. He has pioneered the use of stem cells and biomaterials to treat a range of diseases and has made transformative contributions in the field of tissue engineering.
 
Dr. Hariri is most recognized for his discovery of pluripotent stem cells from the placenta and as a member of the team, which discovered the physiological activities of TNF (tumor necrosis factor).

Along with J. Craig Venter, PhD, Dr. Hariri, is co-founder and president of Human Longevity Cellular Therapeutics, Inc. in San Diego, CA. He is also founder and chairman of Myos Corp. located in Cedar Knolls, NJ, an emerging bio-therapeutics and bio-nutrition company.
  
Dr. Hariri said, “As an established investor in Cryoport’s common stock, I have a great deal of confidence in the need and demand for Cryoport’s cold chain and logistical solutions in the life sciences market, which is expected to increase substantially as cellular therapies such as stem cells, immunotherapies and, especially, CAR-T cell therapies come to commercialization. These advanced therapies require rigid and well-designed enhanced cold chain management solutions to ensure effective patient treatment, as temperature excursion will affect efficacy. To effectively bring these therapies through clinical trials and commercialization, after receiving FDA approval, the use of advanced cold-chain solutions, such as Cryoport’s, is crucial. The cellular therapies market, on a broad scale, is greatly enhanced by the presence and use of Cryoport’s  technologies.”

Jerrell Shelton, chief executive officer of Cryoport, said, “The appointment of such a notable cellular therapy industry participant as Dr. Robert Hariri speaks volumes about Cryoport’s positioning within the advancing life sciences markets, including stem cells; immunotherapies, especially  CAR-T cell therapies; animal husbandry; and human reproductive medicine. Dr. Hariri will be an enormous asset to our company and its Board of Directors, as he brings wide ranging and extensive experience within cellular and regenerative therapies.”