Leadership Team
Democratizing the application of adult stem cell technologies for human health.
Bachelor in biochemistry from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zurich; Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles and postdoc at a major clinical laboratory in Munich Germany.
As a former associate professor, he has over 30 years of experience in basic and applied research; 11 years primarily focused on SMS cell discovery, development, and technology. Experienced in clinical laboratory medicine, GXP compliance, and biomanufacturing. Co-Founded and lead several private and public entities including the National Commission for Biotechnology where he became the head of the medical Biotechnology section.
A globally recognized medical science executive and pulmonary physiologist with extensive expertise in clinical research, medical device development, and innovation in respiratory medicine. He serves as Chairman of Drug Device Discovery and Development at the American Thoracic Society (ATS), Board of Directors for the American Thoracic Society (ATS) and is a member of the RIS Organizing Committee.
Previously, he held senior roles at 4DMedical and Fisher & Paykel Healthcare. Has led over 100 clinical trials, secured significant funding from NIH and NHMRC, and authored over 50 high-impact publications. He is an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Miami and a former faculty member at Johns Hopkins.
FACEP, FCCWS, UHM-ABEM, Medical Director for Wound Management at Palomar Health San Diego, Chief Medical Officer at Synergy Wound Technology, trained in Emergency Medicine, practices full time as a Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine Physician, a national level speaker on wound care, advanced wound care modalities, and non-invasive vascular testing.
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Michael brings more than two decades of experience leading life sciences companies from early-stage clinical development through post-commercialization, with more than $3 billion in completed M&A transactions, public and private equity financings, IPOs, and structured non-dilutive transactions. He previously served as CFO of Dermavant Sciences, guiding the company from a clinical-stage organization to a fully commercial enterprise, resulting in the FDA approval and launch of VTAMA® (tapinarof) for plaque psoriasis in adults.
Prior to that, he served as Principal Financial Officer and VP of Finance at Iovance Biotherapeutics (NASDAQ: IOVA) during the clinical development of AMTAGVI® (lifileucel), which was approved by the FDA for metastatic melanoma. He began his career at Ernst & Young and is a Certified Public Accountant (active). Michael has been recognized as a 2024 LA Times B2B CFO Leadership Honoree and named a Top CFO by both the Los Angeles and Orange County Business Journals.
Board of Directors
We’re lucky to be supported by some of the best investors in the world.
Scientific Advisors
We’re lucky to be supported by some of the best investors in the world.
Prof. Peter Wagner, MD
Emeritus Prof. at UCSD, leader in Respiratory Physiology, served as the Pres. of the American Thoracic Society, Pres. of the American Physiological Society, and Division Chief of both Physiology and Pulmonary Critical Care at UCSD School of Medicine, and as both member and chair of National Institutes of Health study sections.
Prof. James Sherley, MD
Former Associate Professor at MIT (nine years), founder and former director of the Adult Stem Cell Technology Center at the Boston Biomedical Research Institute (five years); currently founder and Director of Asymmetrex, LLC, Adjunct Associate Professor, Hematology-Oncology Department, Rhode Island Hospital Brown University.
Patrick Griffith, MD, MBA
Exec. Medical Director at Adventist Health, Heart & Vascular Institute. +25 yrs as Cardiac & Thoracic Surgeon. Served as Medical Director of Thoracic Surgery for Salinas Valley Healthcare Systems and Chief of Cardiac Surgery at Rideout Medical Center. Leonhardt Ventures Board Director, Board Member for Second Heart Assist, Stimcoremd, and Beall Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship. UCI Dean’s Advisory Board Member.
Dr. Leslie Miller, MD.
Chief of Cardiology at three different institutions, President and Program Chair, International Heart Transplant Society. International leader who is a highly accomplished cardiothoracic surgeon & researcher with over 45 years of clinical experience in advanced heart failure, heart transplantation, and regenerative medicine. He has been involved in over 100 clinical trials as Principal Investigator, including NIH, multiple industry-funded studies, and has published over 250 manuscripts. Numerous awards for teaching & research excellence, including Best Doctors in America & the Bakoulev Medal. Member of Fellow of the American College of Cardiology & American Heart Association.
Dr. David Schmitt, DVM
Served as the top State Veterinarian for the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS). A Life Member of the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association (IVMA) and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) with +40 years of service, retired as the highest Iowa State Veterinarian in 2019 after a distinguished career in both private practice and public service. A key figure in veterinary legislation, and has received numerous honors, including Veterinarian of the Year by the IVMA. Served as President of the United States Animal Health Association. Continues to be active in multiple state animal health committees and organizations, as well as an active member of the Global Vet Link regulatory expert council.
Dr. Richard A. Schatz
A distinguished cardiologist and the inventor of the first balloon-expandable stent. His groundbreaking collaboration with Dr. Julio Palmaz led to the FDA approval of the Palmaz-Schatz stent in 1994, revolutionizing coronary disease treatment and significantly reducing the need for bypass surgery. This pivotal innovation has impacted over 200 million patients worldwide and is featured as a permanent exhibit at the Smithsonian Institution.
A recipient of numerous honors, including the Russ Prize for Bioengineering (2019) and induction into the National Inventors Hall of Fame (2025), Dr. Schatz continues to consult on innovative medical technologies.
Masaaki Yoshimori, PhD
An economist. Belongs to the McCourt School of Public Policy, a constituent school of Georgetown University in Washington, DC. He previously served as a fellow in International Economics at the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy at Rice University in Houston, Texas. His research spans a broad spectrum of critical issues in global economics, including monetary policy, exchange rate policy, financial regulation, macroeconomics, and the intersections of climate change with economic systems. Additionally, his work delves into the political economy, exploring the impacts of globalization on the monetary system and the evolving challenges faced by global financial institutions.
Gary Sieck, Ph.D.
Prof. of Physiology at Mayo Clinic School of Medicine and Science. Studies focus on cell signaling mechanisms that underlie muscle performance, with a focus on regenerative processes that can improve acute and chronic disease conditions. He has published over 380 peer-reviewed papers and received multiple NIH grants over 37+ years.
Steven N. Copp, MD
Chair of the Dept. of Orthopedic Surgery at Scripps Clinic Medical Group and the Scripps Medical FoundationNamed numerous times as one of the Best Doctors in America. His areas of expertise include total joint arthroplasty for the hip and knee, and complex reconstruction of the ankle. A fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery, a member of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society, the American Association Hip and Knee Society, and the Western Orthopedic Association.
Dr. Joseph Loewenbein, M.D.
Board-certified anesthesiologist with more than 20 years of clinical experience and a focused expertise in regenerative and longevity medicine. A graduate of the Keck School of Medicine of USC, he transitioned from anesthesiology into advanced cellular health strategies, applying his deep understanding of human physiology to translational regenerative care.
As co-founder of Proactive Longevity, Dr. Loewenbein developed a structured approach to cellular optimization centered on detoxification, immune system modulation, and tissue repair.
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Dr. Alexander Grinberg
Dr. Alexander Grinberg is a physician with over three decades of clinical and research experience, specializing in regenerative and translational medicine. His work has focused on advancing novel therapeutic approaches that address chronic and degenerative conditions through science-driven, patient-centric care.
Dr. Grinberg brings deep expertise at the intersection of clinical practice and emerging biotechnology, with a strong emphasis on translating innovative therapies into real-world clinical applications. His experience supports the development and evaluation of next-generation regenerative platforms, contributing to the advancement of clinical-stage programs.
At SMSbiotech, Dr. Grinberg provides clinical insight and strategic guidance as the company progresses its therapeutic platform through clinical development and toward broader regulatory and commercial milestones.
Who We Are
SMSbiotech was founded based on its revolutionary adult stem cell research. Through a combination of hard work and over three decades of experience in research and applications, we have been able to patent a new platform technology.
Our technology will change the way the life science industry approaches the development of cells and drugs, leading to a wide spectrum of medical applications.