VetStem founder and CEO, Dr. Bob Harman, was recently featured on a San Diego-based podcast to discuss all things stem cells, including the current COVID-19 clinical trial developed by our human company, Personalized Stem Cells.

One Medicine: Animal Data Helping People

We have previously blogged about a concept we call “One Medicine,” also known as translational medicine, in which advances in the veterinary field lead to advances in human medicine. In the last year, this notion has really come to the forefront, as we were hit with the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is very common for human scientists and doctors to review data obtained from animals when developing a new drug or technology. In a previous blog, we discussed how animal data was utilized to expedite development of a COVID-19 vaccine. Additionally, evaluation of COVID-19 positive animals has helped researchers understand how the virus functions and how it is transmitted in various species.

Data from VetStem Patients Helps People with COVID-19

VetStem has also joined the ranks in the fight against COVID-19. In fact, it was VetStem’s 15+ years of veterinary stem cell data that led to the development of an FDA approved COVID-19 stem cell clinical trial in human patients. Our human stem cell company, Personalized Stem Cells, Inc., developed and received FDA approval for the clinical trial and then licensed it to Sorrento Therapeutics. The study is well underway and the preliminary results look very promising.

In addition to discussing our contributions to the COVID-19 clinical trial, Dr. Harman also discussed our work with exotics organizations and specifically mentions helping an arthritic Sun Bear at the San Diego Zoo. He gives a bit of history regarding VetStem’s formation, treating his border collie Ben, as well as his own treatment with stem cell therapy for a rotator cuff injury.

Click here to listen to the podcast!

As the first company in the United States to provide an adipose-derived stem cell service to veterinarians for their patients, VetStem holds exclusive global veterinary licenses to a portfolio of issued patents in the field of regenerative medicine and owns a number of patents and patent applications. We believe these patents are an important way to strengthen our intellectual property in the rapidly developing field of regenerative medicine.

As leaders in the field, VetStem contributes to the development of the regenerative medicine market. As such, we have invested heavily in patent protection of our technology and recently engaged appropriate counsel to pursue licensing and patent enforcement. Our goal is to provide opportunities to potentially infringing companies to license one or more of our patents to utilize in their own business model. This creates a win-win situation for everyone involved, including the customers who potentially benefit from the technology.

We recently completed licensing deals with multiple companies for use of our patented technology. These deals mean that the other companies can continue using and profiting from our technology while VetStem earns revenue to invest back into the company. For instance, a recent sublicense by one of our licensees brought VetStem $1.75 million in upfront licensing revenue. Thus, these licensing deals help optimize the value of our company and further solidify our stake in the market.

With ongoing research and development, VetStem endeavors to stay at the forefront of the field. Since the first VetStem recipient in 2004, VetStem has processed nearly 14,000 patient samples, resulting in over 30,000 stem cell treatments. Without our dedicated clientele, veterinarians, and pet owners alike, we could not do what we do!

As 2020 comes to an end, we would like to focus our last blog of the year on the history and successes of VetStem Biopharma.

VetStem was born in 2002 with a dream to deliver regenerative medicine services and products to improve the lives of horses. It expanded shortly thereafter to provide regenerative medicine to small animals. By 2007 we had launched a full dog and cat program. In 2012 we started to respond to requests from zoos and aquatic animal parks to provide for their wild and exotic animal needs.

In the past 18 years, VetStem’s dedicated staff have provided veterinary regenerative medicine services for nearly 14,000 patients. We have focused on providing high quality cell therapy treatments and products such as the V-PET and Genesis platelet therapy systems. In our quest to spread regenerative medicine knowledge to veterinarians and pet owner, we have attended hundreds of conferences, produced 15 peer-reviewed papers and book chapters, and have spoken at conferences and clinics hundreds of times. Our first-of-its-kind regenerative medicine online training course has provided formal continuing education for over 5,000 veterinarians in the U.S. and abroad. 

In 2018 we decided the time was right to launch our own human stem cell company, and Personalized Stem Cells (PSC) was born. The mission was to use the years of VetStem animal safety and efficacy data to add human stem cell medicine to our portfolio. We are completing our first FDA approved study of knee arthritis this month and have developed an entire FDA program for treating COVID-19 patients, which we have licensed to Sorrento Therapeutics. Our plan is to move into traumatic brain injury in 2021.

This year, we also announced the launch of our contract manufacturing business, commonly called a CMO or CDMO, and we have christened this division Performance Cell Manufacturing (PCM). This was an opportunistic move to use our beautiful FDA GMP manufacturing plant and cell manufacturing experience to make important cell therapy products for other companies for use in clinical trials. 

PSC and PCM have brought revenue to VetStem and allowed us to grow, hire, and weather the COVID-19 storm, however, the human division would not exist without the years of animal cell therapy work and dedication of our employees through some tough economic times. Our animal health services are the foundation of everything that we have built, and we try to convey the importance of our veterinary business with the images in our front lobby (see below).

I believe in One Medicine, where the learning in the veterinary world supports animals and provides crucial information for human medicine. But I am, and always will be, a veterinarian first. We sincerely thank all of our dedicated customers, veterinarians and pet owners alike, and wish everyone the happiest of holidays. May 2021 bring health and happiness to all.   

We recently reached our 15 year anniversary as a member of Biocom, a life science association. Biocom is an organization that supports the life sciences on many fronts and in multiple locations. While Biocom is primarily based in California, they also have locations in Washington D.C. and Tokyo. From their website, “Biocom harnesses the collective power and experience of the most innovative and productive life science clusters in the world, with powerful advocacy and transformative programs to help companies in their quest to improve the human condition. Biocom provides the strongest public voice for research institutions and companies that fuel the California economy.”

As a member-driven organization, Biocom provides life science companies with the opportunities and resources they need to fulfill business goals. Biocom is great for networking and connecting companies in the San Diego area. Local area members include businesses in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, genomics, diagnostic, medical device, connected health, agriculture, and bio-renewable energy fields. Their website states, “With 23 years in San Diego, Biocom is well known for its collaborative spirit and integral role in ensuring the life science ecosystem of San Diego has the support it needs to thrive, including infrastructure, networking, professional development, and business-friendly government regulations.”

VetStem CEO, Dr. Bob Harman, has a long history as a Biocom member. In the early 90s, Dr. Harman ran HTI Bio-Services, a contract research company, and regularly networked with other local biotech CEOs and entrepreneurs. Regarding those early days as a Biocom member, Dr. Harman stated, “These were exciting times not only because of technical innovation, but also because we were forming a community that helped to advance medicine and create a vital segment in the local and regional economy.”

VetStem endeavors to stay at the forefront of the field. Founded in 2002, VetStem is the first US-based commercial veterinary adipose stem cell company. We have processed fat tissue from nearly 14,000 patients resulting in over 30,000 stem cell treatments. In 2018, we utilized our over 15 years of experience and data in veterinary medicine to spin out a human stem cell company, Personalized Stem Cells, Inc. We also just announced the launch of our contract cell manufacturing business, which we will discuss in an upcoming blog. We are very proud to be a longtime member of Biocom and of our contributions to the biotech community.

We recently brought in a new Safety and Technical Services Veterinarian. We are so excited to welcome Dr. Amber Vibert to the VetStem team! Learn more about Dr. Vibert and her veterinary experience in this week’s blog!

Shifting Gears: Deciding to Pursue Veterinary Medicine

Dr. Vibert grew up in Connecticut and is a diehard fan of the New England Patriots- even without Tom Brady, if you can believe that (though she concedes that she misses him terribly). Unlike many veterinarians, Dr. Vibert did not grow up with the intention to become a veterinarian. It was quite the opposite.

After receiving her Bachelor’s in clinical psychology with a focus on child development, Dr. Vibert planned to pursue a master’s degree in social work. However, one day she literally woke up and decided to pursue veterinary medicine after realizing that her most stimulating and rewarding job was that of an entry-level veterinary assistant when she was a senior in high school. And so she got a full time position as a vet assistant at a multi-doctor private practice and went back to school part time to complete the higher level science courses she needed to gain acceptance to veterinary school.

From Vet School in Indiana to Sunny San Diego

She completed the necessary schooling in three years and was accepted to Purdue University upon her first application. After her first year of vet school, she visited San Diego and fell in love with the palm trees, the beaches, and of course, the weather. Spending four years in the Midwest while at Purdue made Dr. Vibert miss the ocean. Having grown up on the coast of CT, the ocean was a huge part of her childhood. And while she misses the seasons and charm of New England, she certainly does not miss the long and cold winters. And so, upon graduation from vet school in 2006, Dr. Vibert planted her roots in sunny San Diego!

Gaining Experience in Emergency Medicine and General Practice

When she arrived in San Diego, Dr. Vibert completed a rotating internship at Veterinary Specialty Hospital and went on to spend several years as an emergency veterinarian. She enjoyed the fast pace and the quick decision making of emergency medicine. She stated, “For me, a successful outcome felt like winning the World Series or the Super Bowl!” She also honed her surgical skills and developed a passion for all types of soft tissue surgeries.

In 2011, she shifted gears into general practice. She enjoyed the relationships she built with her clients and their pets. In some cases, she felt like a part of their family. Dr. Vibert stated, “People revealed to me very personal things about their lives, which can sometimes take its toll (i.e. compassion fatigue), but more often just helped me understand them and care for them on a personal level. I became that much more invested in the well-being of their beloved pet.” Prior to joining VetStem, Dr. Vibert spent the last year and a half as Medical Director of a multi-doctor, small animal practice.

Joining the VetStem Team

Now, as our Safety and Technical Services veterinarian, Dr. Vibert has entered a whole new realm of veterinary medicine. Regarding joining the VetStem team, Dr. Vibert stated, “I am so excited to be learning so many new things at VetStem! Some of these things are obvious- learning about stem cells and their applications, learning about our laboratory processes and practices- but I’m also learning things like new computer software systems, how to write scientific papers, and organizing collaborative efforts on clinical development projects. I’m using my brain in ways that I never really had time to do in clinical practice!”

Dr. Vibert serves as our veterinary liaison to further develop relationships with existing and new veterinary clients. With an emphasis on safety, Dr. Vibert consults with veterinarians on stem cell and platelet therapy cases to provide insight and treatment recommendations. She stated, “I am excited for the opportunity to contribute to the betterment of animal and human lives by way of regenerative medicine. I am also looking forward to forging new professional relationships with the veterinarians whom VetStem serves.”

Outside of Veterinary Medicine

In her spare time, Dr. Vibert enjoys endurance running, horseback riding, cooking, traveling, and spending quality time with her husband, Tim. She has her own menagerie of pets that keep her laughing every day. These include one dog (Rally), two cats (George and Stevie Nicks, “Stevie”), one horse (Valor), and two rats (Igor, “Iggy” and “Luka”).

She has had several rats over the last few years (their average life span is ~2.5-3 years) and believes rats are hands down the best small mammal pets to have. She stated, “Rats are smart, social, affectionate, and very trainable. People who don’t know much about domestic rats are sometimes scared or feel adverse to them, but once you get past the stigma that they are dirty (which is very untrue- they are incredibly clean little animals) and get past the hairless tail, you will discover what awesome pets they make!”

So there you have it. Please send a warm welcome to Dr. Vibert and go get yourself a pet rat!

If you have some time, click the picture below to view a recent webinar from VetStem CEO Dr. Bob Harman. Dr. Harman discusses VetStem Cell Therapy in depth and also gives tons of information about our human stem cell studies including an upcoming FDA approved COVID-19 clinical trial.

In this video you will learn the history of VetStem and what stem cells do to promote healing. You will also learn about the various diseases VetStem Cell Therapy has been used for. If you skip ahead to approximately 14:50, Dr. Harman shifts to discuss our human stem cell company, Personalized Stem Cells, Inc. At approximately 19:00 Dr. Harman begins talking about PSC’s upcoming FDA approved COVID-19 trial. He provides information about recent stem cell studies for COVID-19 and details about the PSC study. You don’t want to miss this!