In his new role, Mr Wirth will lead the company’s first human clinical study for acute SCI using InVivo’s proprietary scaffold without drugs or cells.

Prior to his work with Geron Corporation, Mr Wirth held appointments at Rush-Presbyterian St. Luke’s Medical Center and at the University of Chicago.

From 1997 to 2002, Mr Wirth led the team at the University of Florida that performed the first human embryonic spinal cord tissue transplants in the US, demonstrating the feasibility and safety of implanting embryonic spinal cord cells into patients.

Frank Reynolds, InVivo CEO, said: “We believe Dr Wirth’s confidence in our biomaterials for the treatment of SCI represents a shift in how spinal cord injuries will be treated going forward. Whether providing neuro-protection or supporting cells for regeneration, we believe that biomaterials will be at the forefront of the first effective treatments for the spinal cord.”

Mr Wirth said: “I’ve been impressed with the cutting-edge work and laboratory data developed by the InVivo team, and I firmly believe the use of InVivo’s platform of implantable biopolymer scaffold technologies is the future of SCI treatment.

“I am honored to join a group of world renowned scientists including 2008 Millennium Laureate Bob Langer and 1993 Nobel Laureate Sir Richard Roberts. I am focused on lending my expertise toward further development of this revolutionary technology. It has already shown outstanding promise in the lab, and in my opinion has enormous clinical potential.”

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