Keith March has dedicated his career to bringing new medical approaches to patients. His publications include more than 85 manuscripts. He was the editor of the first book dedicated to cardiovascular gene transfer. Dr. March’s research has resulted in more than 40 worldwide (19 U.S.) patents, with…
more others pending. He invented the Closer, a widely-utilized patented suture-mediated closure device, used to close the puncture wound in an artery following heart catheterization. This device allows a patient to "walk off the table" after a catheterization without requiring prolonged bedrest. Abbott Vascular, an affiliate of Abbott Laboratories, acquired the company that developed this technology in 1999 and the Closer approach is used annually worldwide in 500,000 patients. He has served as a scientific advisor to numerous pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device companies. His laboratory focuses on vascular biology, with a particular emphasis on the function and translational study of CD34+ stem cells found in the adipose tissue, which his laboratory identified as peri-vascular cells with critical roles in vasculogenesis, angiogenesis, and adipose tissue regulation. Dr. March is recognized as a leading expert in the field of adult stem cell research, particularly that involving adipose-derived stromal stem cells. In 2008, he became chair of the NIH/NHLBI DSMB that oversees cell therapy trials in the areas of heart, lung, and blood diseases. In addition to his research roles, Dr. March has served as the president (2007) of the International Federation of Adipose Therapeutics and Science (IFATS); and serves as the Chief Medical Advisor for the Cell Therapy Foundation. In both affiliations, he has worked to advance collaboration as well as awareness about the significance of adult stem cells.
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