WASHINGTON, May 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --The Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research (CAMR) announced today it is transferring its mission and its assets to the Alliance for Regenerative Medicine (ARM).

"Human embryonic stem cell research has grown and evolved to a point where it's time for CAMR to hand off its mission to an organization that can advance policy initiatives to support where the science is now, and where it is headed," said CAMR president Amy Comstock Rick, J.D. "FollowingPresident Obama's March 2009 Executive Orderand subsequentNational Institutes of Health stem cell research guidelines, we've seen the number of human embryonic stem cell research lines on the NIH registry grow from just 21 in 2008 to more than 200 today. The science is strong, and government research funding continues to strengthen the field. The private sector is moving the research forward into patient therapies and treatments, and the Alliance for Regenerative Medicine is absolutely the right organization to shepherd stem cell policy support to the next level."

Founded in 2001 with a mission to protect regenerative medicine and secure federal funding and oversight for human embryonic stem cell research, CAMRhas been the nation's leading bipartisan pro-cures coalition. Comprised of more than 100 nationally recognized patient organizations, universities, scientific societies, and foundations advocating for the advancement of breakthrough research and technologies in the field of medical and health research, CAMR's advocacy and education outreach focused on federal funding and oversight of human embryonic stem cell research and related research fields in which the mission is to develop treatments and cures for individuals with debilitating and life-threatening illnesses and disorders.

"In Washington, D.C., and around the world, researchers and policymakers alike have CAMR leadership and its members to thank for the federal funding guidelines that have helped foster an environment for advances in stem cell research in the past 12 years," said Michael Werner, J.D., executive director of ARM. "We are honored to take on CAMR's mission, meld it with our own, and continue to support the great science that is already contributing to life-giving advances in regenerative medicine."

About the Alliance for Regenerative MedicineThe Alliance for Regenerative Medicine (ARM) is a Washington, DC-based non-profit organization that promotes legislative, regulatory, reimbursement, and financing initiatives necessary to facilitate access to life-giving advances in regenerative medicine. ARM also works to increase public understanding of the field and its potential to transform human healthcare, and provides services to support the growth of its member companies and organizations. Prior to the formation of ARM, there was no advocacy organization operating in Washington, DC to specifically represent the interests of regenerative medicine companies, research institutions, investors, and patient groups supporting more rapid adoption of technologies in our field. To learn more about ARM or to become a member, visit http://www.alliancerm.org.

Media Contacts:

CAMR Sean Tipton CAMR Vice President for Communications stipton@asrm-dc.org 202.421.5112 (mobile)

Carol Blymire CAMR Communications Consultant carol@carolblymire.com 301.332.8090 (mobile)

Alliance for Regenerative MedicineMichael Werner Executive Director, Alliance for Regenerative Medicine 202.419.2515 (office)

Michelle Linn, Linnden Communications michelle@linndencom.com 508.362.3087 (office) 774.696.3803 (mobile)

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Coalition For The Advancement Of Medical Research Transfers Mission And Assets To Alliance For Regenerative Medicine