BioEDEN appoints MSIF consultant

A BIOTECH company that has pioneered a new way of collecting stem cells has appointed a former Merseyside Special Investment Fund (MSIF) business consultant as its new chief executive. 

Lorna Green has joined BioEDEN, based at Daresbury Science & Innovation Campus, near Halton, after working closely with the company for two years in her role at MSIF.

MSIF, set up with European money to provide entrepreneurs with an alternative source of finance, committed £350,000 to BioEDEN.

The company harvests stem cells from teeth, usually children’s milk teeth when they fall out naturally. The company says this is non-invasive and presents no ethical dilemma – other methods include collecting from an embryo or umbilical cord straight after a baby is born.

Also, because the stem cells stored with BioEDEN can only be used by the child or adult they come from, there is no risk of rejection.

BioEDEN stores the stem cells which could be used in the future to cure diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Research suggests they could also be used to repair and grow bone, treat liver disease and even grow new organs.

Ms Green, pictured, said: “I’m delighted to take on this role and I am relishing the opportunity to help the company realise its significant potential. BioEDEN has already successfully launched the service in 15 markets and we are now in the process of fundraising to finance further expansion.

“We are also planning a number of strategic collaborations with key research partners as many parents are now giving consent to donate excess cells and extra teeth for research. We are working with Professor John Hunt at the University of Liverpool to support his grant application to fund studies into the treatment of corneal damage using cells donated by BioEDEN. It is very exciting – there are numerous possibilities for the use of stem cells in the future.”

BioEDEN currently has two facilities for processing and storing stem cells, one in Daresbury and one in Texas. The original founders of the company are Mike Byrom and Jeff Johnson who who are based in the US.