Beer & Biotech: Pioneering a Future for Alpha Gal Syndrome
February 19 @ 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm
2 Alpha Gals are working to address and think innovatively about Alpha-Gal Syndrome (AGS), an allergic reaction to red meat and pork, that can be caused by a tick bite. Revivicor provides organs from gene-edited pigs to overcome the critical shortage of human organs for transplants. Most recently, Revivicor has begun working with Galsafe pigs as a form of human therapeutics. Come to this month’s Beer & Biotech to learn how these companies are working on innovated solutions for people with AGS.
Bios:
Dr. David Ayares founded Revivicor, Inc. in 2003 and serves as its President and Chief Scientific Officer. Based in Blacksburg, VA, Revivicor, in partnership with United Therapeutics, develops genetically engineered pigs for xenotransplantation to address the global organ shortage. The company created the first FDA-approved GE pig, GalSafeTM, and provided pigs for landmark transplants, including the first-ever heart transplant at the University of Maryland in 2022 and an LVAD+ Thymokidney transplant at NYU in 2024. Before founding Revivicor, Dr. Ayares was VP of Research and COO at PPL Therapeutics, known for cloning Dolly the sheep. He led the team that cloned the first cows with humanized milk and the world’s first pigs. Prior to PPL, he spent 7 years at Abbott Laboratories and Baxter Healthcare, developing transgenic mouse models and diabetes treatment technologies. Dr. Ayares earned his undergraduate degree from Purdue University, his PhD from the University of Illinois, and conducted postdoctoral research at MIT. For more information, please visit https://www.revivicor.com/.
Candice Matthis and Debbie Nichols are the founders of 2 Alpha-Gals, an organization dedicated to raising awareness about Alpha Gal Syndrome. Through collaboration with medical experts, they empower individuals living with this allergy, providing them with the confidence and support needed to manage their condition. 2 Alpha-Gals also offers valuable tools and resources to educate and support those impacted by Alpha Gal Syndrome, helping them navigate daily life with greater ease. For more information, please visit https://www.twoalphagals.com/debbieandcandice.