Day: September 18, 2024

Foundation board hears BioBridge Global’s role in the future of medicine 

Geoff Kindt, General Manager of GenCure biomanufacturing, simplified a complex concept for members of The Blood & Tissue Center Foundation Board of Directors on Monday – advanced therapies.  

Advanced therapies, he explained, refers to innovative medical treatments, including cell therapy, gene therapy and more. They offer new ways to treat complicated and previously untreatable conditions.  

Kindt, along with CEO Marty Landon, talked about advanced therapies and their role in the future of BioBridge Global. The meeting was held at the VelocityTX biotech incubator complex, where GenCure is located. 

“The beauty of what we do,” Kindt said, “is hearing the outcome.” 

He mentioned rare diseases that have found cures through treatment, as well as the development of those therapies in cleanrooms like those at GenCure. 

While he spoke, scientist Roger Palacios began the grueling process of donning cleanroom attire for all to see. This included necessary layers that can take up to a half-hour from start to finish.

“The critical piece is you do not contaminate your product,” Kindt said. “There cannot be any bioburden. There cannot be particles.” 

Kindt explained that GenCure works in multiple phases of clinical development, helping researchers move new cures through clinical trials and into new therapies available to patients.  

Landon thanked board members for their contributions to the organization, saying they will help pave the way for the next 50 years. He noted that GenCure is helping save lives through job stability and multiple projects with researchers. 

Advanced therapies are becoming part of the organization’s focus. These join blood and tissue operations, and are considered the future of medicine.  

“Nothing is changing,” Landon said. “We have a history of innovation, evolving from care, to cures. Why? Because that’s where the practice of medicine is going. And so, we want to move right along with that.”  

Board members also toured the facility with Dr. Mari Salmi, Senior Director, Process Development & Cell Testing, and Dr. Rogelio Zamilpa, Senior Director of Manufacturing Sciences & Technology. 

Earlier this summer, thanks to help from generous donors, BioBridge Global introduced a digital sign in front of the Headquarters Building. 

The sign was made possible by the Jeanie Rabke Wyatt Family Foundation and the Lynch Foundation. Additional contributors included The Blood & Tissue Center Foundation, Community Labs and other financial donors. 

The sign features blood donor recruitment messaging for South Texas Blood & Tissue and will be viewed by thousands daily.

It has included thank-you messages to donors who helped pay for the sign. The countdown to the 5 millionth blood donation in the organization’s history, which took place in early September. 

Ceremonies launching the digital sign in July featured San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg, who helped launch the “5 Million in 50” initiative toward the 5 millionth blood donation, as well Adrienne Mendoza, Chief Operating Officer, South Texas Blood & Tissue, plus blood donors and patients helped by blood donations. 

Click here to watch the KSAT story on YouTube

The September 2024 Foundation Board meeting showcased BioBridge Global’s advanced therapies capabilities at VelocityTX. As our board saw from their tour, the cellular therapies developed have the potential to help patients in many ways. Rowan and Naomi are two examples of patients who have had conditions that are targeted by researchers working on new advanced therapies.  

Rowan Windham  

Rowan was an incredible young man who was full of faith and light. He remained hopeful even as he fought a rare genetic disorder.  

Living by his motto “Love Your Life,” Rowan was known for helping others. In fact, he helped collect hundreds of boxes of cereal for the San Antonio Food Bank while he was receiving treatment in the hospital.  

Eventually Rowan and his mother went to Seattle to participate in a clinical trial. He knew the trial might not save him, but he hoped it would help future patients. Rowan also encouraged our BioBridge Global family to continue supporting research.  

Rowan passed away at just 10 years old, but he left an inspiring legacy for all of us.

Naomi Hennessey 

If you visit one of our donor rooms, you may stumble upon a letter from Annette Hennessey, thanking donors for giving her adopted daughter the blood she needs to live. 

For most of her life, Naomi lived with a debilitating blood disorder called thalassemia. She needed blood transfusions every 2-3 weeks to live a normal life and in 12 years, she needed almost 400 transfusions.

Last year, Naomi participated in a clinical trial and received a lifesaving stem cell transplant. This procedure eradicated her disease. Now, she no longer needs blood transfusions.  

Naomi can live life to the fullest and is currently in culinary school.

We will continue supporting the development of new therapies to help more patients like Rowan and Naomi.