BioLife Solutions Expands Scientific Advisory Board

Bothell, Wash.-based BioLife Solutions Inc. has added two new members to its scientific advisory board. Jason Acker, Ph.D., and Anothony Davies, Ph.D., will assume their positions immediately.

Acker is a senior development scientist with the Canadian Blood Services and a professor in the department of laboratory medicine and pathology at the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada. He received his B.S. and M.S. in experimental pathology and Ph.D. in medical sciences degrees from the University of Alberta. Acker was a Canadian Institutes of Health Research post-doctoral fellow at the Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School. He completed his MBA in technology commercialization at the Alberta School of Business at the University of Alberta in 2009.

Focusing his research on understanding the biological response of cells to freezing and freeze-drying has allowed Acker to develop a foundation from which he has contributed to the design of new methods for the long-term storage of a number of cell types and tissues. He has received recognition for his work on low temperature cellular injury, cryopreservation and mammalian cell desiccation. Acker is the president elect of the Society for Cryobiology.

Davies is president of Dark Horse Consulting, a boutique practice focused on CMC (chemistry, manufacturing, and controls) and product development issues in cell and gene therapy. After training as a biochemist, chemical engineer and molecular biologist, Davies has worked in the cell and gene therapy field for some 20 years. He brings with him an extensive track record in manufacturing, operational management and commercial development, most recently as chief technology officer for Capricor Inc. and vice president, product development for Geron Corporation’s cell therapy programs.

Davies received an MA in biochemistry from the University of Cambridge and a Ph.D. from the University of Birmingham, and conducted postdoctoral research at the Institute of Virology at Oxford and the University of California, San Francisco.

“We are pleased that Dr. Acker and Dr. Davies have joined our scientific advisory board,” said Aby J. Mathew, Ph.D., BioLife Solutions senior vice president and chief technology officer. “Each brings strong complementary expertise to this group of influential opinion leaders. As we continue to expand the number of clinical customer partners and diversify our portfolio of biopreservation tools, our highly experienced scientific advisory board members provide valuable insight into our growing customer base, as well as awareness of emerging and complementary technologies.”

BioLife Solutions makes hypothermic storage and cryopreservation solutions and precision thermal shipping products for cells, tissues, and organs.