Hans Keirstead

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Keirstead received his Ph.D. from the University of British Columbia, winning the Cameron Award for the best Ph.D. thesis in the country, with his thesis constituting the first demonstration of functional regeneration of the injured adult spinal cord. He went on to complete four years of post-doctoral studies at the University of Cambridge, where he was the youngest person elected to two senior academic posts, Fellow of the Governing Body of Downing College and Senate Member of the University of Cambridge.{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/person.asp?personId=10638211&privcapId=346382074&previousCapId=247856902&previousTitle=ALPHAEON%20Corporation|title=Hans S. Keirstead, Ph.D.: Executive Profile & Biography - Bloomberg|publisher=Bloomberg L.P.}}

In 2000, Keirstead left his position at the University of British Columbia, where his spinal cord research had been funded by Rick Hansen's charitable foundation. He joined the Reeve-Irvine Research Center at the University of California, Irvine.{{Cite news|url=http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/canadian-researcher-hopes-to-reverse-paralysis/|title=Canadian Researcher Hopes to Reverse Paralysis|last=MacQueen|first=Ken|date=July 1, 2006|work=Maclean's|access-date=March 22, 2018|publisher=The Canadian Encyclopedia|language=en}}

Keirstead has advised U.S. Senators and members of Congress on health care and biotechnology.{{cite web|title=Meet Hans - Dr. Hans Keirstead for Congress|url=https://hansforca.com/about/meet-hans/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180322204710/https://hansforca.com/about/meet-hans/|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 22, 2018|publisher=Keirstead campaign website}} He testified on the state's biotech industry to the California State Senate in 2002 amidst a national debate about stem cell laws and policy in the United States.

In 2004, Keirstead publicly supported California Proposition 71, which aimed to authorize three billion dollars for stem cell research for a newly created California Institute for Regenerative Medicine. During the debate he released a video of how he could restore mobility to paralyzed rats using his stem cell research. Keirstead was criticized at the time, because the procedure had yet to be published in a peer reviewed journal, but it subsequently published the following year in the Journal of Neuroscience. The procedure was reproduced by three other labs by 2006, confirming that cells engineered to make myelin can help restore damaged areas of the spinal cord.

Keirstead was Professor of Anatomy and Neurobiology and Professor of Neurological Surgery at the School of Medicine of the University of California at Irvine for fifteen years, where he was awarded over $16 million in grants and founded the Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center.{{cite web|url=http://www.314action.org/hans-keirstead/|title=Hans Keirstead|publisher=314 Action|access-date=March 22, 2018|archive-date=March 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180323030542/http://www.314action.org/hans-keirstead/|url-status=dead}} In his academic career, he mentored more than 100 students and published more than 100 manuscripts.{{cite web|url=http://aivitabiomedical.com/about-us/our-leadership/hans-s-keirstead-ph-d/|title=Hans S. Keirstead, Ph.D. - AIVITA Biomedical|date=June 18, 2017 |publisher=AIVITA Biomedical website}}

He launched medical research startup companies in Orange County and is currently CEO at AIVITA Biomedical. Other corporate affiliations include Neuron Therapeutics, Inc., Caladrius Biosciences, Inc., Lifeline Cell Technology, LLC, International Stem Cell Corporation, NeoStem Oncology, LLC, Ekso Bionics Holdings, Inc., and ALPHAEON Corporation.

He has developed new treatments for cancer and for neurological injuries, and has been granted over 20 patents.{{cite web|url=http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-pol-ca-house-challenger-20170615-story.html|title=Stem cell scientist to become the latest Democrat trying to topple Dana Rohrabacher in O.C. House race|first=Cathleen|last=Decker|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=June 15, 2017 }}

In 2010, Geron Corporation began the world's first clinical trial of human embryonic stem cell treatment for spinal cord injuries, based on the research of Keirstead's team at UC Irvine. However, the trials ended after a year due to lack of funds.{{Cite news|url=https://www.ocregister.com/2013/12/26/stem-cell-pioneer-exits-uci-for-private-cancer-fight/|title=Stem-cell pioneer exits UCI for private cancer fight|last=Brennan|first=Pat|date=December 26, 2013|work=Orange County Register|access-date=March 22, 2018|language=en-US}}

In 2013, Keirstead took a leave of absence from UC Irvine to conduct tests in the private sector. He joined California Stem Cell, Inc., also based in Irvine, as its president and CEO. His first focus after the leave of absence was trials for targeting skin cancer cells using stem cells from the cancer itself to train the immune system.

In 2014, he sold a stem-cell company in a deal worth $124 million.{{cite web|url=http://observer.com/2017/12/most-vulnerable-republican-house-seats-in-2018/|title=3 House Republicans Likely to Lose Their Seats in 2018|date=December 29, 2017|publisher=Observer}}

In 2016, Keirstead founded AIVITA Biomedical, a private biotechnology company focused on cancer and developing a treatment that is proving to be the most effective to ever reach the final phase of clinical trials.{{Cite web|title=Aivita Biomedical ahead of schedule on its phase II glioblastoma trial|url=https://www.bioworld.com/articles/433371-aivita-biomedical-ahead-of-schedule-on-its-phase-ii-glioblastoma-trial?v=preview|access-date=2021-01-14|website=www.bioworld.com|language=en}} Since its inception, the company began four clinical trials in multiple countries to test its cancer vaccine technology in glioblastoma, ovarian cancer and melanoma.{{Cite journal|last=Aivita Biomedical, Inc.|date=2020-01-23|title=Phase II Trial of Autologous Dendritic Cells Loaded With Autologous Tumor Associated Antigens (AV-GBM-1) as an Adjunctive Therapy Following Primary Surgery Plus Concurrent Chemoradiation in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma|url=https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03400917}}{{Cite journal|last=Aivita Biomedical, Inc.|date=2019-12-17|title=Phase II, Double-Blind, Randomized Trial Of AVOVA-1 (Autologous Dendritic Cells Loaded With Autologous Tumor Associated Antigens) Vs. Autologous Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (MC) In Patients With Stage III Or IV Epithelial Ovarian, Fallopian Tube Or Primary Peritoneal Carcinoma After Primary Therapy|url=https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02033616}}{{Cite journal|last=Aivita Biomedical, Inc.|date=2020-12-22|title=Phase 1B Trial of AV-MEL-1 (Autologous Dendritic Cells Loaded With Autologous Tumor Antigens) With Anti-PD-1 Checkpoint Inhibitors in Metastatic Melanoma|url=https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03743298}} Additionally, AIVITA is beginning trials of its COVID-19 vaccine candidate, AV-COVID-19.{{Cite journal|last=Aivita Biomedical, Inc.|date=2020-12-05|title=Adaptive Phase I-II Clinical Trial of Preventive Vaccine Consisting of Autologous Dendritic Cells Previously Incubated With S-protein From Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), in Subjects Negative for COVID-19 Infection and Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies|url=https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04386252}}

Using the same stem cell technology, Keirstead became the first person to transform stem cells into a product that improves the appearance of facial skin. After discovering this new application, Keirstead helped AIVITA launch a skin care line called ROOT OF SKIN, which became available in Japan in 2019 after successful clinical trials.{{Cite web|last=cosmeticsdesign-asia.com|title=AIVITA launches stem cell-powered skin care range in Japan as it seeks Asian expansion|url=https://www.cosmeticsdesign-asia.com/Article/2019/05/14/AIVITA-launches-stem-cell-powered-skin-care-range-in-Japan-as-it-seeks-Asian-expansion|access-date=2021-01-14|website=cosmeticsdesign-asia.com|date=May 23, 2019 |language=en-GB}} The proceeds from all ROOT OF SKIN sales are directed towards AIVITA’s cancer research programs.{{Cite web|title=AIVITA Biomedical Closes $25M Round|url=https://www.ocbj.com/news/2021/jan/11/aivita-biomedical-closes-25m-round/|access-date=2021-01-14|website=www.ocbj.com|date=January 10, 2021 |language=en}}

Keirstead announced in June 2017 that he would run for Congress as a Democrat, challenging a seat held by Dana Rohrabacher in California's 48th congressional district.{{cite web|last=Guarino|first=Ben|date=June 20, 2017|title=He broke ground in stem-cell research. Now he's running for Congress.|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2017/06/20/he-broke-ground-in-stem-cell-research-now-hes-running-for-congress/|newspaper=The Washington Post}} In a 2018 interview with ABILITY Magazine, Keirstead said "We don’t have anyone [in Washington] with a broad, deep understanding of the healthcare system, for example, not a one. 435 members, and there’s no one there with a broad, deep understanding of what is 20 percent of our economy. We need that."{{Cite news|url=https://abilitymagazine.com/hans-keirstead-interview-preview/|title=Dr. Hans Keirstead: Fighting to Cure Cancer, and Fighting for California|date=2018-05-16|work=ABILITY Magazine|access-date=2018-05-19|language=en-US}} He conceded the Democratic Party primary to Harley Rouda on Sunday, June 24, 2018{{Cite web|url = https://www.rollcall.com/news/politics/rouda-face-rohrabacher-keirstead-concedes|title = Rouda to Face Rohrabacher After Keirstead Concedes|date = June 25, 2018|access-date = June 27, 2018|archive-date = June 27, 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180627115710/https://www.rollcall.com/news/politics/rouda-face-rohrabacher-keirstead-concedes|url-status = dead}} after a very close race. His campaign appears to have been targeted by a cyberattack.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/california-election-hacking-711202/|title=Documents Reveal Successful Cyberattack in California Congressional Race|magazine=Rolling Stone |date=August 15, 2018}}

His wife, Niki, is a neuroscientist specializing in Alzheimer's disease. They have one son.{{dead link|date=November 2020}}

Keirstead has a third-degree black belt in Taekwondo. He owns and flies his own helicopter.{{cite web|url=https://stemcellbattles.net/mr-science-goes-to-washington/|title=Mr. Science Goes to Washington? |publisher=Stem Cell Battles}}

{{Reflist}}

• [https://hansforca.com/ campaign website]
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zk477IJjxkM Discussing some of his endorsements, experiences, and issues]
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBh-YwFK8pc Discussing some of his research]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Keirstead, Hans}}

Category:Living people

Category:California Democrats

Category:University of British Columbia alumni

Category:Stem cell researchers

Category:American political candidates

Category:Canadian expatriate academics in the United States

Category:1967 births

Category:Candidates in the 2018 United States House of Representatives elections