Histogenics Names CMO

Histogenics Corp. , a regenerative medicine company focused on developing musculoskeletal products, has named Gloria Matthews, D.V.M., Ph.D., as its chief medical officer. 

Matthews brings more than 20 years of global research, development and surgical experience in orthopedics and cartilage repair to Histogenics, and in her new role, will oversee all clinical and medical affairs activities at the Waltham, Mass.-based firm.  She is an accomplished scientist, educator, guest speaker and surgeon with broad ranging expertise in orthopedic and rheumatologic diseases, among other therapeutic areas, and has significant functional experience in cellular and gene therapy, biomaterials and growth factors, according to the company.

“We are delighted to welcome someone with Dr. Matthews’ background and experience to the Histogenics executive team.  Her scientific acumen, development and clinical experience with the leading cartilage regeneration therapies and clinical sites are welcomed by our internal teams and investigators in our ongoing Phase 3 trial of NeoCart,” stated Adam Gridley, president and CEO of Histogenics.  “With deep relationships both as a clinician and an educator, we’re excited to have Dr. Matthews join as at this exciting juncture to lead our ongoing trial, and to develop and drive additional future development programs for therapies in the musculoskeletal space. In addition, her experience with strategic oversight of various United States and global development programs across biologics, drugs and devices will be critical as we further build our pipeline through internal development or strategic alliances.”

Prior to Histogenics, Matthews most recently served as senior director and global head of bone and joint disease research and Development at Genzyme.  During her tenure at Genzyme, Matthews was involved in clinical and preclinical development and/or postmarket support of cell, gene, growth factor, small molecule, and biomaterial based products in the orthopedic and rheumatologic space, including Carticel, MACI, Synvisc, Synvisc One, and an early clinical development stage Trk inhibitor for osteoarthritis.

Her active research areas include cell and molecular biology of osteoarthritis and cartilage repair as well as orthopedic imaging. Matthews sits on the board of directors for the Orthopaedic Research Society for which she chairs the Executive Finance Committee as treasurer. She chairs the Musculoskeletal Committee of the American Society for Gene and Cell Therapy and also serves on the National Institutes of Health’s SBIR Scientific Review Group/Grant Review Committee (study section), the Strategic Alliance Committee of the Osteoarthritis Research Society International, the fNIH Osteoarthritis Biomarkers Working Group, and as a reviewer for the Osteoarthritis Initiative Bioresource Allocation Committee.  Matthews has also established several high-profile collaborations in medicine, academia and industry, and is a published inventor and researcher.  She received her D.V.M. and Ph.D. from Cornell University and became board certified by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons following an equine surgery and sports medicine residency at Tufts University.

Histogenics’ regenerative medicine platform combines expertise in cell processing, scaffolding, tissue engineering, bioadhesives and growth factors to provide solutions that can be used individually or in concert to treat musculoskeletal-related conditions. Histogenics’ first investigational product candidate, NeoCart, leverages its platform to provide an innovative treatment in the orthopedic space, specifically cartilage damage in the knee.