Regenerative medicine is opening powerful new doors for those seeking to overcome chronic pain and injury without major surgery. By working with the body’s own repair systems, it offers patients renewed hope for restored mobility, reduced discomfort, and a return to the activities that matter most.
R3 Stem Cell stands as a global leader in this transformative field, with over 90 Centers of Excellence across eight countries and more than 30,000 procedures performed in the past decade. Under the visionary leadership of CEO Dr. David Greene, MD, PhD, MBA, the company has earned a reputation for excellence, integrity, and patient-centered innovation that has attracted prominent global icons as ambassadors, including renowned actors and athletes who trust R3 to help them maintain peak performance.
R3 Stem Cell delivers advanced stem cell and exosome therapies designed to harness the body’s natural regenerative elements, stem cells, growth factors, cytokines, and exosomes, to repair damaged tissue and promote genuine healing. These personalized, outpatient treatments go beyond symptom relief, helping patients rediscover the freedom to play with their children, hike, swim, golf, and enjoy daily life with greater vitality.
Distinguished as the only U.S. company with Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval for a Global Observsational Safety Database for Umbilical Cord Stem Cell Therapies, R3 offers more than 20 customized protocols. With an 85% patient satisfaction rate and a strong commitment to safety, quality, and affordability, R3 continues to set the standard in regenerative medicine. Through ongoing research and ethical practices, the company is dedicated to helping individuals reclaim their lives.
At CIO Bulletin, we had the distinct honor of interviewing Dr. David Greene, Founder and CEO of R3 Stem Cell. During the conversation, he shared the vision, values, and purpose that continue to shape the organization's journey. Under his leadership, and with the unwavering commitment of his team, R3 Stem Cell is advancing safe, clinically effective, and accessible regenerative therapies, setting new benchmarks for innovation and patient-centered care in regenerative medicine.
In Conversation with Dr. David Greene, MD, PhD, MBA
R3 Stem Cell has become a recognized name in regenerative medicine worldwide. Looking back, what inspired the company's inception, and what defining vision continues to guide its journey today?
Actually, the inspiration came while I was attending Arizona State University's Executive MBA Program. We had to create a fake company for our Entrepreneurial class, so it ended up being R3 Stem Cell. All of my professors whom I ran the company by said I should make it a real company, so I did, and that was 15 years ago!
The defining vision was to bring stem cell therapy to the masses, meaning it shouldn’t be just for the 1% who can afford a super expensive treatment. It should be available to a large percentage of the population at a reasonable price point and the highest quality imaginable.
I knew I was doing well with that vision when a patient said to me years ago that I had created the "working man's" stem cell clinic, because he was a truck driver and could afford the treatment.
R3 offers a comprehensive portfolio of regenerative therapies and professional training programs. Which innovations or services do you believe have been the biggest game changers, and what sets them apart in the global market?
There have been quite a few, such as our proprietary Regenerative Trifecta cocktail, which includes stem cells, exosomes, and PRP. That was something we came up with that has provided excellent outcomes for patients that last long term.
Another one is our hands-on medical training courses. I noticed that most competitors were utilizing cadavers or animal meat rather than real patients. So we started booking real patients to come in during the training, and they receive either free treatment or a large discount to be model patients. And each attendee gets a free procedure too!
With a global operation, we had to set quality control standards to protect patient safety. That was critical on several levels. One is for patient comfort and risk minimization. Another is for brand protection; we cannot risk damaging the R3 brand by cutting corners on how we process the stem cells.
Your network spans multiple countries while maintaining consistent standards of care. What leadership principles have enabled R3 to scale globally without compromising quality or patient experience?
Our team is very diligent in maintaining the quality of the patient journey. The tech stack we’ve developed over the past decade helps tremendously as well, with automation wherever possible. And with the potential of AI, it is continuously evolving to increase patient engagement and satisfaction.
We have dedicated concierges for each country who work directly with each patient. Those concierges are hardworking, compassionate individuals, most of whom have been with R3 for years. They receive incentives, so they are very dedicated to attention to detail and diligent patient communication.
With regard to the quality and safety of the biologics, we have stuck with the quality control standards set forth by the U.S. FDA, which is considered the gold standard.
Trust is one of the most valuable assets in healthcare. How has R3 built credibility through clinical research, physician education, and patient outcomes over the years?
Over 10 years ago, I began R3’s YouTube channel and started publishing accurate educational content on regenerative medicine. Now the YouTube channel has over 1,500 educational videos, along with hundreds of patient success stories.
A couple of years ago, we started working with celebrity ambassadors such as actor Dennis Quaid, ESPN’s Big Perk, World Champion Boxers Butterbean and Shannon Briggs, Super Bowl Champion Vernon Davis, WWE characters, and more. Those ambassadors have done fantastic, and they really trust R3, which conveys itself amazingly to prospective patients.
As the only U.S. company with Institutional Review Board approval for amniotic and umbilical cord tissue investigations, how is R3 contributing to the broader scientific understanding and credibility of regenerative treatments?
We started our research team years ago, and currently there are ten individuals contributing. We have published 13 peer-reviewed research studies over the past few years, with many more in production. When our providers ask questions about things like needle size for stem cell delivery, the safety of IV treatments, or stem cell effectiveness for various conditions, that’s how we come up with the topics.
R3 Stem Cell is now the first global company to receive IRB approval for an Observational Safety Database. This will continue to produce data that will lead to further credibility.
R3 is also known for partnering with renowned athletes, entertainers, and public figures. Beyond visibility, how have these collaborations helped advance awareness and confidence in regenerative medicine?
These collaborations provide social proof and generate trust in our brand. They aren’t just public figures; they are real patients who agree to share their stories. People can relate to them because a lot of the medical issues are consistent with what they are facing. To be honest, though, more people actually relate to the non-celebrity success stories!
Innovation often requires balancing scientific advancement with ethics and responsibility. How does R3 ensure it remains at the forefront of regenerative medicine while maintaining the highest standards of safety, transparency, and compliance?
I appreciate the question because I’m the kind of person who loves to see the food being made in a restaurant. So with the literal transparency of glass, that’s how I view what we’re doing with regenerative therapies. We’re very open with our pricing. I do a lot of videos explaining the costs, along with our Price Match Guarantee.
When it comes to safety and quality, I do a lot of videos explaining the U.S.A. FDA-level testing we accomplish and what it means. I also do videos on what people should look out for as red flags with regenerative clinics. In addition, I explain how R3 is compliant with federal regulations. We have attorneys in every country where we operate who provide guidance.
With thousands of patients treated worldwide, could you share one remarkable success story that best illustrates the life-changing impact of R3 Stem Cell's regenerative therapies?
Patient Success Stories
There are actually two, a child and an adult.
Patient Success Story 1: Emiala
The Challenge
The child is Emiala, a 7-year-old child in South Africa with Autism.
The Transformation
Within three months after treatment, his whole life changed. His mother began crying while speaking about how his communication, behavior, and eating had improved dramatically after treatment. He doesn’t pull anyone’s hair anymore, his ADHD has resolved, he’s speaking more and understanding social cues, and he’s eating the same foods as the rest of the family.
A Memorable Moment
I got emotional just hearing the story!
Patient Success Story 2: Mandy
The Challenge
The adult is Mandy, a nurse practitioner in Tennessee, U.S.A. She was dealing with multiple sclerosis, and failed many attempts with conventional therapies. She was stuck in a wheelchair, unable to work, and her doctor told her she might only live for a few more months.
The Treatment Journey
So she decided to come to R3 in Nashville and receive stem cell and exosome treatment.
The Outcome
It worked so well that within a few months, she could walk as much as she wanted. She went back to work and even took her daughter to Disney World, where she walked around!
Her associated psoriasis and eyesight issues resolved and she got tearful speaking about how her life had changed. Cases like Mandy’s are why R3 exists.
Looking ahead, what emerging technologies, treatments, or educational initiatives are you most excited about, and are there any upcoming launches or developments that your patients and partners should watch for?
Yes, we have hired a university team to work on Natural Killer Cell technology. The immunotherapy is going through testing to validate its effectiveness for various cancer cell lines. Not only will it be extremely cost-effective, but it will be amazing as a treatment in conjunction with conventional cancer treatments.
One amazing evolution of immunotherapy is that not only does it work well for cancer, it also has a role in treating autoimmune syndromes. NK Cell therapy has been very safe to date, so I’m excited for our technology to come to fruition.
Finally, what legacy does R3 Stem Cell aspire to leave, not only within regenerative medicine but across the broader future of global healthcare?
I frequently talk about the “Value Triangle” that R3’s mission stands for. The three parts of the triangle include quality, safety, and affordability. We have achieved the goal of scaling the business while maintaining a quality experience for patients that is safe and cost-effective. I’d like to continue building the business into more countries and become the Marriott of stem cell therapy.
I’d like to stay at the forefront of regenerative medicine with clinical therapies, research, and operating stem cell laboratories that will improve the quality of life for patients globally.
The Stalwart Leader Behind R3 Stem Cell's Success
Dr. David Greene, the Founder and CEO of R3 Stem Cell, is an Ivy League-trained orthopedic surgeon who switched to the business side of medicine over 15 years ago. He started R3 Stem Cell while in business school at Arizona State University in 2011, and now R3 is the largest provider of regenerative therapies globally. He subsequently achieved his PhD in stem cell biology in 2020.
According to Dr. Greene, “Prior to going into medicine, I was a professional sports photographer. There were years when I would cover 100 college and pro games, including MLB, NFL, and ACC basketball. My work appeared in Sports Illustrated, USA Today, Wheaties boxes, and on thousands of trading cards. Eventually, though, I felt the world of medicine would lead to a larger impact on society.”
Dr. Greene has grown R3 Stem Cell to 90 Centers of Excellence in eight countries, which have performed over 30,000 stem cell procedures since its inception. Patients aretreated for many issues such as autism, arthritis, diabetes, stroke, back pain, spinal cord injury, autoimmune diseases, as well as premature ovarian and organ failure.
As the company grew, Dr. Greene decided to complete the vertical integration of regenerative medicine. He created two GMP tissue processing labs, which focus on the manufacturing of umbilical cord-derived biologics. They are located in Scottsdale, Arizona, and Pakistan (for R&D). R3 Medical Training was created, where R3’s providers and others globally come to receive CME-accredited training in regenerative medicine.
R3 has published over 10 peer-reviewed research papers and is in the initial phases of starting clinical trials. With over 150 employees worldwide, the vibrant company has been named Stem Cell Global Company of the Year for five years running by Corporate Vision, IE100, and others.
Dr. Greene lives in Scottsdale, Arizona, with his wife, Debbie, of 13 years and their four children.
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