CHB experts to testify at legislative hearing on The Massachusetts Life Sciences Initiative

October 30, 2007

M. William Lensch, PhDChildren's Hospital Boston experts will join legislative, medical and academic leaders, as well as life sciences industry experts and patient advocacy groups in support of "The Massachusetts Life Sciences Initiative: An Effort to Retain Global Leadership in Medicine and Science."

Experts will specifically address the potential of the legislation to advance stem cell research in the Commonwealth. "Children's Hospital Boston is a worldwide leader in stem cell research," says James Mandell, president and CEO. "Passage of this legislation is critically important to our ability to translate this research into new therapies that could change the future for the children we see, and for countless others like them, across the country and around the world."

WHAT: Legislative hearing on "The Massachusetts Life Sciences Initiative: An Effort to Retain Global Leadership in Medicine and Science"

WHO: James Mandell, MD, President and CEO, Children's Hospital Boston*

M. William Lensch, PhD, Senior Researcher, Stem Cell Program, Children's Hospital Boston*

WHEN: Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2007, 1 p.m.

WHERE: Gardner Auditorium, State House

*Transcripts of Drs. Mandell and Lensch's testimonies will be available online later today.

Children's Hospital Boston is home to the world's largest research enterprise based at a pediatric medical center, where its discoveries have benefited both children and adults since 1869. More than 500 scientists, including eight members of the National Academy of Sciences, 11 members of the Institute of Medicine and 10 members of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute comprise Children's research community. Founded as a 20-bed hospital for children, Children's Hospital Boston today is a 377-bed comprehensive center for pediatric and adolescent health care grounded in the values of excellence in patient care and sensitivity to the complex needs and diversity of children and families. Children's also is the primary pediatric teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School. For more information about the hospital visit: www.childrenshospital.org/newsroom.