Text of Remarks by David Higgins, Stem Cell Agency Board Member

Here is the text of comments by David Higgins, a member of the governing board (the ICOC) of the California stem cell agency, in connection with changes in the September meeting of that board. By law, Higgins is appointed as a patient advocate for Parkinson’s disease. He made his comments in response to questions from the California Stem Cell Report.

“It is my understanding that the September ICOC meeting was switched to a phone format because the modest agenda planned made the cost associated with having this meeting ‘on the road’ questionable.

“In my year at CIRM I have only encountered enthusiasm and support for patient advocacy - both from the staff as well as the board. Patient and patient advocate participation in the process is welcomed. CIRM is first and foremost about patients. There will be differences in opinion on how best to allocate CIRM’s financial resources, but there are no difference of opinion on the importance of patient advocacy and the value of interactions between the public and the ICOC.”

Scientist/Parkinson's Advocate With Biotech Background Appointed to California Stem Cell Agency Board

A retired San Diego scientist with a background in the biotech industry was named this week to the 29-member governing board of the $3 billion California stem cell agency.

David Higgins
Parkinson's Association photo

David Higgins, who is also president of the San Diego Parkinson’s Association, was appointed by State Controller John Chiang, replacing Joan Samuelson, who resigned from the board earlier this year.  Samuelson had been a member of the board since 2004.

Higgins fills a slot designated for a patient advocate for Parkinson’s Disease. He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2011.

The stem cell agency press release yesterday on the appointment emphasized Higgins’ personal and family perspective on the affliction. Chiang was also quoted as saying,

“As a trained molecular biologist, his involvement in drug development and business operations places him in a unique position, understanding both science and process.”

Higgins has worked at Invitrogen, Chiron and Idun Pharmaceuticals. Most recently he was executive vice president for business development and head of U.S. operations for BioMedica, Inc., a UK-based gene therapy company.

Higgins is currently a business/scientific advisor to iDiverse, Inc., a Del Mar, Ca., a gene technology firm that markets to biopharmaceutical firms as well as companies involved in fuel ethanol and industrial enzymes.

Higgins brings a perspective not found elsewhere on the board because of a variety of community service activities.

He serves on the executive committee of the Center for Ethics in Science and Technology in San Diego. He was once president of the board of the ACLU for San Diego and Imperial counties. He also served as foreman of the San Diego County Grand Jury, a 19-member citizens watchdog group, in 2006-7..

Higgins said in the CIRM press release,

“One thing I feel strongly about is that, yes I’m the Parkinson’s patient advocate on the board, but first and foremost I’m an advocate for everyone and I want to make sure that we spend our money wisely, and that we use our resources to identify and nurture the most promising stem cell projects across all target diseases.”

Higgins earned his Ph.D. in molecular biology and genetics from the University of Rochester followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at the National Cancer Institute.

The agency's board now has three vacancies on it left by the departure of Marcy Feit, Michael Goldberg and Robert Birgeneau.