Leadership Team
Democratizing the application of adult stem cell technologies for human health.
Bachelor in biochemistry from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zurich; Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles and postdoc at a major clinical laboratory in Munich Germany.
As a former associate professor, he has over 30 years of experience in basic and applied research; 11 years primarily focused on SMS cell discovery, development, and technology. Experienced in clinical laboratory medicine, GXP compliance, and biomanufacturing. Co-Founded and lead several private and public entities including the National Commission for Biotechnology where he became the head of the medical Biotechnology section.
Seasoned Businessman, Investor, and Consultant Experienced Board Member. Self-financed a high-growth technology company which successfully sold, 20-plus years later, to a large conglomerate.
Started and participated in growing and selling several technology companies. Was a long-time member of Tech Coast Angels.
FACEP, FCCWS, UHM-ABEM, Medical Director for Wound Management at Palomar Health San Diego, Chief Medical Officer at Synergy Wound Technology, trained in Emergency Medicine, practices full time as a Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine Physician, a national level speaker on wound care, advanced wound care modalities, and non-invasive vascular testing.
Board of Directors
We’re lucky to be supported by some of the best investors in the world.
Abdulkader Rahmo, PhD.
Co-Founder, President, CSO of SMSbiotech
Ghassan Kassab, PhD
Founder / President / CSO of California Medical Innovations Institute
Harry Friedman
Chief Financial Officer
Joe Kiani
Co-founder and Former CEO of Masimo Corp.
Mohamed Diab
Cofounder and Former Sr Research Scientist of Masimo Corp.
Advisors
We’re lucky to be supported by some of the best investors in the world.
Prof. Peter Wagner, MD
Emeritus Prof. at UCSD, leader in Respiratory Physiology, served as the Pres. of the American Thoracic Society, Pres. of the American Physiological Society, and Division Chief of both Physiology and Pulmonary Critical Care at UCSD School of Medicine, and as both member and chair of National Institutes of Health study sections.
Prof. James Sherley, MD
Former Associate Professor at MIT (nine years), founder and former director of the Adult Stem Cell Technology Center at the Boston Biomedical Research Institute (five years); currently founder and Director of Asymmetrex, LLC, Adjunct Associate Professor, Hematology-Oncology Department, Rhode Island Hospital Brown University.
Patrick Griffith, MD, MBA
Exec. Medical Director at Adventist Health, Heart & Vascular Institute. +25 yrs as Cardiac & Thoracic Surgeon. Served as Medical Director of Thoracic Surgery for Salinas Valley Healthcare Systems and Chief of Cardiac Surgery at Rideout Medical Center. Leonhardt Ventures Board Director, Board Member for Second Heart Assist, Stimcoremd, and Beall Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship. UCI Dean’s Advisory Board Member.
Dr. Leslie Miller, MD.
Chief of Cardiology at three different institutions, President and Program Chair, International Heart Transplant Society. International leader who is a highly accomplished cardiothoracic surgeon & researcher with over 45 years of clinical experience in advanced heart failure, heart transplantation, and regenerative medicine. He has been involved in over 100 clinical trials as Principal Investigator, including NIH, multiple industry-funded studies, and has published over 250 manuscripts. Numerous awards for teaching & research excellence, including Best Doctors in America & the Bakoulev Medal. Member of Fellow of the American College of Cardiology & American Heart Association.
Dr. David Schmitt, DVM
Served as the top State Veterinarian for the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS). A Life Member of the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association (IVMA) and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) with +40 years of service, retired as the highest Iowa State Veterinarian in 2019 after a distinguished career in both private practice and public service. A key figure in veterinary legislation, and has received numerous honors, including Veterinarian of the Year by the IVMA. Served as President of the United States Animal Health Association. Continues to be active in multiple state animal health committees and organizations, as well as an active member of the Global Vet Link regulatory expert council.
Jason P. Kirkness, PhD
A globally recognized medical science executive and pulmonary physiologist with extensive expertise in clinical research, medical device development, and innovation in respiratory medicine. He serves as Chairman of Drug Device Discovery and Development at the American Thoracic Society (ATS), Board of Directors for the American Thoracic Society (ATS) and is a member of the RIS Organizing Committee. Previously, he held senior roles at 4DMedical and Fisher & Paykel Healthcare. Has led over 100 clinical trials, secured significant funding from NIH and NHMRC, and authored over 50 high-impact publications. He is an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Miami and a former faculty member at Johns Hopkins.
Gary Sieck, Ph.D.
Prof. of Physiology at Mayo Clinic School of Medicine and Science. Studies focus on cell signaling mechanisms that underlie muscle performance, with a focus on regenerative processes that can improve acute and chronic disease conditions. He has published over 380 peer-reviewed papers and received multiple NIH grants over 37+ years.
Who We Are
SMSbiotech was founded based on its revolutionary adult stem cell research. Through a combination of hard work and over three decades of experience in research and applications, we have been able to patent a new platform technology.
Our technology will change the way the life science industry approaches the development of cells and drugs, leading to a wide spectrum of medical applications.