The Life Science Effect
032: Theratome Bio | Regenerative Breakthroughs with Michael Coleman and Karen Momper
What if a cutting edge technology saved your life? And then what if you got to be part of a startup company that is working on similar technology to save others' lives? Karen Momper, of Theratome Bio is living that story.
This week, Micheal Coleman, PhD, and Karen tell the story of Theratorm Bio and the exciting platform they are working on. Learn about how Theratome Bio is developing a portfolio of products derived from adult stem cell secretions. The future includes exciting potential therapies like stroke treatment and organ preservation during transport.
Learn Michael's and Karen's inspiring stories.
Resources in this episode:
Indiana Center for Biomedical Innovation
About Michael Coleman, PhD:
Michael brings a wealth of research and new drug development experience to Theratome Bio. He directed multidisciplinary teams at GeneMedicine and Valentis in Houston, Texas, prior to accepting a role with Centelion (a subsidiary of Sanofi-Aventis) as Vice President of R&D. He there led a team of scientists in discovery, process & clinical development, and regulatory affairs. Most recently, Michael was President and CEO of InGeneron, a medical device firm committed to driving personal regenerative medicine therapies. During his tenure InGeneron attained several regulatory approvals in Europe and initiated clinical trials in the US under FDA approval.
Michael has dedicated his career to developing new therapies, ushering these innovations through regulatory paths, and ultimately seeing new therapies transitioned into the clinic. He has also continued to publish research in peer-reviewed journals and maintain a close relationship with leading researchers and clinicians in academia.
He earned his BS and MS degrees from Texas A&M, his PhD from Penn State, and completed post-doctoral work at the Baylor College of Medicine.
Michael has a passion for the regenerative medicine space. He’s long thought that a cell-free option is where the future of regenerative therapy is headed, and believes that TheratomeTM technology provides the key attributes of product consistency and ease of handling and administration necessary to achieve widespread clinical application. In his own words, “TheratomeTM technology solves the key issues limiting clinical application of stem cell based therapies. I am excited for the opportunity to be part of developing this technology that will provide life changing benefits patients and disrupt the field of regenerative medicine.”
Karen earned a B.A. in Chemistry with a minor in Marketing from the University of Dayton. She completed an Undergraduate Thesis while there, worked for the Office of Admission leading campus tours, and was hired as a new grad to work as a Traveling Student Recruiter.
Karen began her career with the Bristol-Myers Squibb Company shortly thereafter. During her ten years of employment, she served Primary Care and Hospital Sales roles, sold in multiple outpatient and inpatient therapeutic areas, negotiated formulary contracts, earned district, region, and national recognition for sales, and was selected to serve in leadership roles within her district.
Since then, Karen has taken on several non-profit initiatives whereby she has initiated a group, raised funding, and marketed and maintained a leadership role in organizations. She has also used her public speaking abilities to fund-raise. In one such effort, she contributed to the establishment of an in-house Therapeutic Massage Therapy Program to treat Oncology Patients at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) Hospital in Portland, Oregon, a cause that was previously only filled by intermittent volunteers.
Karen is happily married, and proud mother to two sons. In addition to multiple volunteer roles at her Parish and children’s schools, Karen reads live broadcasts for IRIS Radio, a free service that provides audio news and literature for the visually impaired. Karen is also the survivor of a stem cell transplant (2009), and an autologous stem cell procedure to her hip to reduce the likelihood for need of replacement. These experiences fuel her unique passion for furthering regenerative medicine innovation.