Aldagen's work stems from the need for tissue repair. The biopharmaceutical company develops cell regeneration therapies using adult stem cells. It uses a proprietary technology that isolates an enzyme known as aldehyde dehydrogenase, or ALDH, which it believes can target a number of diseases. Aldagen hopes its products will be used to treat hereditary metabolic diseases in children, leukemia, and cardiovascular diseases; all its drugs are in the development stage. The company does its own manufacturing and plans to do its own marketing. Venture capital firm Intersouth Partners holds about 42% of Aldagen, which filed an IPO in late 2009. The company is led by CEO W. Thomas Amick.