Healthcare >> CEO Interviews >> May 17, 1999

R. Douglas Armstrong – Aastrom Biosciences Inc (astm)

R. DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG is Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Aastrom Biosciences, Inc. He joined Aastrom in June 1991 as its President and Chief Executive Officer, and as a Director. In 1999, Dr. Armstrong was elected Chairman of Aastron's Board of Directors. In July 2004, the duties and responsibilities of President were transferred to the company's new Chief Operating Officer, allowing Dr. Armstrong, as CEO, to increase focus on strategic activities and issues, investor relations, the Board of Directors, and Aastron's European subsidiary, Zellera AG, for which he is also Chairman of the Supervisory Board. From 1987 to 1991, Dr. Armstrong served as Executive Vice President and Trustee at the La Jolla Cancer Research Foundation (LJCRF), now named the Burnham Institute, a scientific research institute located in San Diego, California. Prior to joining the Burnham Institute, Dr. Armstrong held various faculty and staff positions at the Yale University School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, LJCRF and the University of Michigan. Dr. Armstrong received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry from the University of Richmond in Richmond, Virginia, and completed his Doctorate in Pharmacology and Toxicology from the Medical College of Virginia. Additionally, Dr. Armstrong was a participant in the formation of Telios Pharmaceuticals, Inc., has served on the Boards of both biotechnology companies and a venture capital fund, and currently serves as the Chairman of the Board for the Center for Cell Therapy. Profile
TWST: First, give us a background summary, enough of a historical sketch

on the company that would put us into context as to what you see as your

business, and what you see as your company today.