Dr Adrian Gee is to be awarded the 2017 ISCT Career Achievement Award in Cellular Therapy.
Gee is Professor of Medicine and Paediatrics at the Baylor College of Medicine in Texas, US and Director of the Clinical Applications Laboratory at the Center for Cell and Gene Therapy.
The International Society for Cellular Therapy (ISCT) is the global society of clinicians, researchers, regulatory specialists, technologists and industry partners in the cell therapy sector.
Gee will receive the award at the ISCT 2017 Annual Meeting in London, May 3–6, as part of the Society’s 25th anniversary celebrations.
The 2017 annual award was drawn from a shortlist of eight nominees proposed from the 1,300 international members of ISCT.
The final decision was made by the ISCT Awards Committee, comprising eight international senior figures across the cell therapy sector.
“The work and achievements of Dr Gee are ingrained in the fabric of the entire cell therapy industry,” said Catherine Bollard, President of ISCT. “He authored what is considered today a definitive guide to the field – ‘Cell Therapy: cGMP Facilities and Manufacture’.”
Gee was one of three founding members of ISCT, originally named the International Society of Hematotherapy and Graft Engineering (ISHAGE) in 1991.
“Dr Gee has published high impact papers on almost every aspect of cellular therapy. His opinion is still sought by everyone in the sector, up to and including regulators such as the FDA,” said Bollard.
His opinion is sought by everyone, including the FDA.
Gee has authored or co-authored 157 articles in refereed journals and 43 books, in addition to contributing to 100 other papers.
“Dr Gee has had a tireless career of achievement in every aspect of the cell therapy sector, building and running one of the world’s largest academic cGMP facilities that has produced viral vectors and engineered cells for thousands of patients all over the world,” said Bollard.
Gee has served on more than 35 boards and committees for charities, publications, academic institutions, advisory groups and research organisations.
He has founded, or been invited to sit on the Board of Directors for, ten international societies; has received 13 international awards; served as a consultant for 15 organisations; advised numerous industry organisations; and presented at industry and academic conferences for more than 30 years.
“It has also been noted by the Awards Committee that he voluntarily mentored members of the cell therapy industry throughout his career,” said Bollard.