On behalf of the International Society for Cell Therapy, we are delighted to invite you to Philadelphia for the 16th annual meeting.  The 2010 program promises to be exciting, diverse, and comprehensive.  Preconference sessions are planned for Sunday May 23 and include workshops on Flow Cytometry, Global Regulatory Perspectives, FACT inspection and accreditation, and an afternoon Corporate Symposium.  The formal program will begin Monday May 24 and will again highlight workshops and presentations in the science, translational, and clinical areas of cellular therapy.  In 2010 by popular demand, the Technical Applications track returns and a new Strategies for Commercialization track will be introduced.  Plenary sessions for 2010 will highlight presentations from international experts on Immune Regulatory Cells, Mesenchymal Stem Cells, Antigen Specific and Engineered T cells, and Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Cardiovascular Cell therapy and Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cells.  An exciting addition to this year’s program on Monday night is a public session on the Ethics and Public Policy Implications of Medical Tourism for Cellular Therapies that will be chaired by Dr Arthur Caplan, a recognized leader in the field of medical ethics. 

We are particularly proud to host this year’s annual meeting in Philadelphia; this area supports one of the most vibrant life science communities in the world.  From a strong academic and scientific tradition nurtured first by Benjamin Franklin, the city now boasts five medical schools, 22 nursing schools, two dental schools, two colleges of pharmacy, a veterinary school, a school of optometry, a podiatry school, almost 100 hospitals, and an equal number of "hi-tech," biomedical, and pharmaceutical companies. The area's large concentration of medical schools and hospitals ranks second in the country, producing one of every five physicians in the United States. Philadelphia is within two hours of major pharmaceutical firms including Merck, GlaxoSmithKline, Wyeth, Bristol Meyers Squibb, Johnson and Johnson, AstraZeneca, and Du Pont, as well as dozens of other innovative biotechnology companies.

Whether a local, a returning traveler, or a first time visitor, we hope you have time to experience the diverse culture of Philadelphia.  Over 700,000 visitors a year come to the City of Brotherly Love.  Many can’t resist running up the steps of the Art Museum early one morning in a scene right out of “Rocky”.  After taking pictures next to the Rocky statue, we hope you will have time to explore and enjoy this remarkable city.  Incredible museums, shopping, dining, and of course history, are all in one square mile. America’s most sacred historic sites stand side-by-side with the hustle and bustle of a 21st-century city. Explore the many incredible museums and attractions at Independence Mall, visit the Constitution Center and Liberty Bell plaza, or simply wander through Old City.  You can dine at one of Old City’s unique establishments or plan a dinner at some of the best restaurants in the world.  You will also enjoy shopping at the trendy boutiques and high class shops.  For a true taste of Philadelphia, visit Reading Terminal market considered “America’s oldest Farmer’s market”, or wander through the famous Italian market, a South Philadelphia staple since the 19th century.  And of course wherever you go and whatever your interests, you can’t leave without sampling the famous and ubiquitous Philly Cheesesteak. 

Enjoy your visit.  We look forward to seeing you in Philadelphia.

                                 

Bruce Levine, PhD                                David Porter, MD

ISCT 16th Annual Meeting Co-Chairs