At the end of August, we celebrated the ribbon-cutting for Xytogen, the BioTech company John founded four years ago in Silicon Valley. This ceremony fulfilled a dream our son has long harbored to bring his work back to his hometown. He couldn't have been happier.
The event turned out to be rather a big deal. Staff members from our state assemblyman's office presented a certificate thanking John for bringing BioTech to the north state. Professors who taught John in his MBA program came, as did the dean of his department and the university provost, scientists and physicians, and about 80 others.
We always knew John was bright, creative, and driven, but we could never guess what he'd do with all of that. We certainly didn't expect this.
Our son took a winding career path to find his way into BioTech. After working several years in orthopedics, he became interested in regenerative medicine. He was especially curious about the potential for stem cells, ethically derived from adult fat tissue, to soothe and heal. He began working with highly skilled scientists to investigate the possibilities.
What developed was Factor Five, a "pharmaceutical." Stem cell proteins form the basis for a serum, a cream, and an eyelash treatment scientifically proven to slow or even reverse the aging process in facial cells and increase the length and volume of eyelashes and brows.
The company has taken off. The products, now available mostly through dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and estheticians, have been hugely successful. For John, skin care is a way in to the field. His goal is to develop burn and wound treatments to reduce suffering throughout the world.
At the official grand opening, I learned new things about stem cells. John's staff conducted tours through the building, introducing the company and the products in the large reception/conference room and then taking visitors into the lab. There, with the delicate stem cells carefully sheltered, post-doctorate PhDs who work with Xytogen explained something of the science for how and why the treatments are so effective. It's impressive.I'm pleased for my son and for his family, who now have Dad working closer to home. I'm thrilled for the community to have the burgeoning field of BioTech growing here in our backyard. Mostly, I'm one proud mama, not just of John, but of each of my children. Stick around. I'm likely to share more of that pride in the future.
When Susan isn't bragging about her kids and grandkids, she writes swoon-worthy small town romances. Her latest series is "Seasons of Destiny." Watch for Amber in Autumn, coming soon.
