Alan Lewis, PhD, to become Interim Vice President of Research and Development

Alan Lewis, PhD, to become Interim Vice President of Research and Development

Alan Lewis has agreed to provide strategic advice to CIRM’s senior management team as the interim VP of Research and Development. In this capacity, Lewis will focus on identifying strategic opportunities and developing action plans to fulfill the mission of the Institute.

Lewis brings more than 30 years of biopharmaceutical experience to his role at CIRM. “His many years of experience in developing therapies for patient benefit in both for-profit and non-profit organizations will be valuable to CIRM as we expand our program to include clinical projects,” said Patricia Olson, Executive Director of Scientific Activities at CIRM.

Lewis was formerly president and CEO of ViaCyte (formerly Novocell), overseeing the company’s efforts to generate an implantable, stem cell-based therapy for diabetes. ViaCyte has four CIRM awards, worth more than $25 million. After leaving ViaCyte in 2009, Lewis served as president and CEO of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International, which funds research and advocates for a cure for Type 1 Diabetes.

Lewis will work 2-3 days per week, taking direction from the President and the Executive Director of Scientific Activities.