SAN ANTONIO, Nov. 20, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As part of its participation in the World Stem Cell Summit, Benefunder, a philanthropic services organization that works with wealth management firms to connect donors with leading researchers across the nation, will be hosting a panel on Patient Groups, Foundations & Venture Philanthropy- Crucial Parties Funding Research and Delivering Therapies to Market and Patients.

The plenary session, which will be held on Dec. 5, 2014 (4:15 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Salon E-F), will discuss the role of these key groups, which are amongst the most misunderstood yet crucial partners in bringing promising therapies and technologies to market and patients, as well as how tech transfer offices and early stage biotech companies can more effectively partner with these organizations.

"The panel brings together important thought leaders who will explore philanthropic solutions that will transform the research funding landscape, and how to better move innovations from the lab to the marketplace," said Christian Braemer, CEO and Cofounder of Benefunder. "We need to have an active dialogue and create real solutions to address one of the most challenging initiatives facing the nation's top research and economic leaders – the dreaded innovation deficit."

The panel will include:

• Moderator, Christian Braemer, CEO & Cofounder, Benefunder
• Hemai Parthasarathy, Scientific Director, Thiel Foundation
• Bernard Siegel, Executive Director of the Genetics Policy Institute, Producer of the World Stem Cell Summit

"The theme of this year's World Stem Cell Summit is 'Connect, Collaborate and Cure.' That message is exemplified in this panel discussion showing how patients' groups, foundations and venture philanthropists can work together to fill huge unmet needs by funding critical academic research shortfalls and supplying the capital requirements of companies creating innovative therapies," Siegel said. "We are excited to have the participation of Benefunder, a visionary new charitable platform that guides philanthropic dollars to the best research projects on the planet."

In its tenth year, the 2014 World Stem Cell Summit, December 3-5, brings together scientists, clinicians, philanthropists, investors and patient advocates from around the world to accelerate the discovery and development of lifesaving cures and therapies.

Benefunder has already aligned with leading stem cell researchers who are working on cutting edge solutions, such as 3-D printing in regenerative medicine; using stem cells to repair the damaged brain; and leveraging gene therapy to treat genetic diseases and cancers.

About Benefunder:

Benefunder, a 501(c)3 corporation, is a philanthropic services organization that works with wealth management firms to connect donors with leading researchers across the nation.  Through its Charitable Innovation Fund, Benefunder combines the disciplines of wealth management with philanthropic giving for the benefit of innovation across all fields of study.

Benefunder is working to reduce the nation's innovation deficit, stimulate the economy, and accelerate the rate and frequency of breakthroughs in discoveries and cures.

More at benefunder.org.

Media contact:
Andrea Siedsma
Benefunder
asiedsma@pushinginnovation.com
760-840-0494

SOURCE Benefunder

Related Links

http://benefunder.org/