EXTON, Pa., Nov. 10, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fibrocell Science, Inc. (NASDAQ:FCSC) today announced the appointment of Alfred T. Lane, MD, as Chief Medical Advisor of Fibrocell. A board certified dermatologist and pediatrician, Dr. Lane is a Professor of Dermatology and Pediatrics (Emeritus) at Stanford University School of Medicine and the former Chair of the Department of Dermatology where he led a research team focused on developing gene therapy for Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) and other genetic skin diseases.

“We are delighted to have Dr. Lane join Fibrocell as our Chief Medical Advisor,” said David Pernock, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Fibrocell. “Dr. Lane’s dedication to pediatric dermatology is respected worldwide and his commitment to helping patients and families impacted by EB and other devastating skin diseases is remarkable. We believe his insight will be invaluable to help us advance clinical development of FCX-007, our gene-therapy candidate for the treatment of Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa (RDEB).”

Dr. Lane’s medical career spans four decades with more than 25 years at the Stanford University School of Medicine. In 1990, Dr. Lane joined the faculty at Stanford and in 1996, he was promoted to Professor of Dermatology and Pediatrics and appointed Chair of the Department of Dermatology through 2010. Since then Dr. Lane has focused on clinical research to develop gene therapies for EB and other genetic skin diseases. In addition, he is a Professor of Dermatology and Pediatrics (Emeritus) and is affiliated with Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford. Dr. Lane earned his medical degree from The Ohio State University and holds a Masters of Arts in Religious Studies from Santa Clara University.

“I am excited to be working with Fibrocell and to have the opportunity to contribute to the clinical development of FCX-007,” said Dr. Lane. “I believe the Company’s use of genetically-modified autologous fibroblasts has the potential to be groundbreaking by addressing the underlying cause of RDEB and offer relief to patients suffering from this progressive, debilitating and painful genetic disease.”

About Fibrocell

Fibrocell is an autologous cell and gene therapy company translating personalized biologics into medical breakthroughs for diseases affecting the skin and connective tissue. Fibrocell’s most advanced product candidate, FCX-007, has begun a Phase I/II trial for the treatment of recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB). Fibrocell is in pre-clinical development of FCX-013, its product candidate for the treatment of linear scleroderma. In addition, Fibrocell has a third program in the research phase for the treatment of arthritis and related conditions. Fibrocell’s gene-therapy portfolio is being developed in collaboration with Intrexon Corporation (NYSE:XON), a leader in synthetic biology. For more information, visit www.fibrocell.com or follow us on Twitter at @Fibrocell.