The Stem Cell Revolution: How Dr. Neil Riordan Is Changing the Future of Medicine

From his father's groundbreaking vitamin C research to pioneering umbilical cord stem cell therapy, Dr. Neil Riordan's journey represents the cutting edge of regenerative medicine

When fitness icon Larry North sat down with Dr. Neil Riordan in his Southlake, Texas clinic, the conversation that unfolded wasn't just about cutting-edge science—it was about hope, healing, and the future of medicine itself. For over two decades, Dr. Riordan has been at the forefront of a medical revolution that promises to transform how we treat everything from autoimmune diseases to degenerative conditions. His work with umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells has helped thousands of patients worldwide, earning him recognition as one of the field's true pioneers.

But Dr. Riordan's story doesn't start in a laboratory in Panama or a clinic in Texas. It begins with arrows in his father's back and the courage to challenge medical orthodoxy.

A Legacy Built on Courage: The Riordan Family's Medical Revolution

Growing up as the son of Dr. Hugh Riordan was, by Neil's own admission, an education in bravery. While other kids' fathers worked conventional jobs, Neil watched his dad face ridicule from the medical establishment for advocating intravenous vitamin C for cancer treatment decades before it gained scientific acceptance.

"As my brother says, you can recognize a pioneer by the arrows in his back," Neil reflects with a mixture of pride and vindication. "My father certainly had a few."

Those arrows were unwarranted. Today, prestigious institutions including Thomas Jefferson University, the University of Iowa, and even Johns Hopkins have started clinical trials using the very intravenous vitamin C protocols that once labeled Dr. Hugh Riordan as practicing "quackery." The elder Riordan's pioneering work on vitamin C's preferential toxicity to cancer cells led to a 1997 patent for cancer treatment, vindic ating decades of research.

This legacy of scientific courage runs deep in the Riordan bloodline. Neil spent fourteen years at the Riordan Clinic in Wichita, working alongside his father on groundbreaking cancer therapies, including dendritic cell vaccines designed to boost the immune system's ability to fight malignancies. But it was the pursuit of non-toxic therapies for cancer patients that would eventually lead him to discover the remarkable potential of mesenchymal stem cells.

The Science That Changes Everything: Understanding Stem Cells

Before we dive deeper into Dr. Riordan's work, let's demystify what makes stem cells so revolutionary. Think of stem cells as your body's master repair crew—cellular commanders that orchestrate healing wherever damage occurs.

Not All Stem Cells Are Created Equal

Dr. Riordan is quick to distinguish his work from the controversial embryonic stem cell debate. "We want to exclude embryonic and fetal stem cells from this conversation entirely," he emphasizes. "From both an ethical and scientific standpoint, we've never utilized or even studied embryonic or fetal stem cells."

Instead, his focus is exclusively on what's classified as "adult" stem cells—a category that includes cells collected after a full-term healthy birth. These umbilical cord-derived cells offer a painless collection procedure and faster self-renewal properties compared to other stem cell sources, making them ideal for therapeutic applications.

Within the adult stem cell category, there are two major types:

1. Blood-Forming Stem Cells (Hematopoietic)

These cells, found in bone marrow, create the components of your blood. They're the ones used in bone marrow transplants for cancer patients—but here's the critical distinction Dr. Riordan wants everyone to understand: these cells aren't treating the cancer. They're a rescue mission.

"When you hear about a cancer patient being treated with stem cells, they're actually being treated with chemotherapy and/or radiation," Dr. Riordan explains. "The goal is to get a high enough dose to kill the cancer, but it also kills your bone marrow's ability to produce blood cells. The stem cells in that scenario are a rescue, not a treatment."

2. Repair Stem Cells (Mesenchymal)

This is where Dr. Riordan's expertise shines. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are the body's natural repair specialists, found throughout your tissues—in fat, bone marrow, and every organ. These are the cells that promote tissue repair, modulate immune responses, and accumulate in damaged or inflamed regions to orchestrate healing.

But here's the catch: as we age, we have fewer of these crucial cells, and the ones we do have become less effective. "My cells, at 57 years old, will divide once every 50-60 hours," Dr. Riordan notes. "Umbilical cord cells divide every 24 hours."

That difference might not sound dramatic until you run the numbers. After 30 days, one umbilical cord stem cell dividing every 24 hours produces a billion cells, while Dr. Riordan's own cells would yield only 200-300. It's not just about quantity, either—younger cells also produce more of the regenerative factors that reduce inflammation and stimulate tissue repair.

The Duchenne's Breakthrough: Compassion Meets Innovation

One story from the interview particularly illuminates Dr. Riordan's impact. He describes treating a young man with Duchenne's muscular dystrophy, a devastating condition that progressively weakens muscles and typically proves fatal by the mid-20s.

"He is the first person in the US to get umbilical cord stem cells for any indication under FDA authorization," Dr. Riordan reveals. The treatment required persistence—the FDA granted them an investigational new drug designation for compassionate use after the patient had already been treated seven times in Panama.

The results? Remarkable. "Every four months when he gets those stem cells, his breathing goes up, everything improves," Dr. Riordan reports. "Now, eight years later since his first treatment, he's in better health now than he was at 22, and he's about 30 and a half."

This case wasn't just medically significant—it created a wedge, opening the door for larger clinical studies in the United States. It demonstrated that with proper protocols, safety testing, and regulatory cooperation, stem cell therapy could deliver meaningful results even for conditions considered untreatable by conventional medicine.

The Panama Connection: World-Class Research in Paradise

Dr. Riordan's work isn't confined to Texas. In 2008, he founded the Stem Cell Institute in Panama City, where his team has performed over 50,000 procedures on more than 13,000 patients from around the world. The operation includes a 16,000-square-foot ISO 9001 certified laboratory at the City of Knowledge Technology Park, where umbilical cord tissue is processed under strict medical guidelines.

The choice of Panama wasn't arbitrary. The country offers a regulatory framework that, while rigorous about safety and quality, allows for innovation that would take years longer in the United States. This has made it possible for Dr. Riordan to refine his protocols, gather extensive clinical data, and develop what he calls "Golden Cells™"—stem cells identified through rigorous retrospective analysis of the institute's most successful cases.

Larry North, who visited the Panama facility and received treatment himself for orthopedic issues stemming from decades of bodybuilding and auto accidents, describes it as "an amazing experience." His testimony is telling: "I thought I was going to have to have surgery on my knee. In the month or so since we last saw each other, I'm feeling amazing."

Breaking Down the Science: How MSCs Actually Work

One of the biggest misconceptions Dr. Riordan encounters is that stem cells somehow become new tissue—that they'll grow you a new bladder or new body parts. "These cells do not do that," he clarifies.

Instead, MSCs work through a sophisticated biological mechanism that scientists are still fully unraveling. These cells exert their therapeutic effects largely through paracrine function—secreting various cytokines, growth factors, and exosomes that facilitate cell-to-cell communication and promote regeneration.

Here's what happens when MSCs are introduced into your body:

1. They Home to Inflammation

MSCs have an remarkable ability to migrate to damaged tissue and inflamed regions. Think of them as emergency responders who instinctively know where they're needed most.

2. They Modulate the Immune System

These cells inhibit the proliferation of activated T lymphocytes, suppress inflammatory factor secretion, and regulate B lymphocyte and NK cell activity. For patients with autoimmune conditions—where the immune system attacks the body's own tissues—this immunomodulatory capacity can be life-changing.

3. They Secrete Healing Factors

MSCs produce what Dr. Riordan calls "the body's natural ibuprofen"—anti-inflammatory molecules that reduce swelling and pain without the side effects of pharmaceutical drugs.

4. They Promote Tissue Repair

Through growth factor secretion and tissue scaffolding support, these cells help damaged tissues heal more effectively than they could on their own.

Why Umbilical Cord? The Science Behind the Source

When Dr. Riordan chose to focus exclusively on umbilical cord-derived MSCs, it wasn't a marketing decision—it was based on rigorous scientific comparison.

"If you look at what umbilical cord cells secrete and their activity on the immune system and compare that to fat stem cells or bone marrow cells," he explains, "you have way more modulation potency from the umbilical cord."

The science backs this up. Umbilical cord MSCs demonstrate superior immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties compared to cells derived from adult tissues. Think of it this way: you can try to push a rock halfway up a hill with less potent cells, but you won't get it over the top. Umbilical cord MSCs provide the power needed to overcome that immunological hill.

Additional advantages of umbilical cord MSCs include:

• Painless, non-invasive collection that poses no risk to mother or baby

• Lower immunogenicity, reducing the risk of rejection

• Ability to differentiate into multiple cell types across three germ layers

• No ethical concerns, as the tissue would otherwise be medical waste

• Faster self-renewal and greater proliferative capacity than aged adult cells

Real Conditions, Real Results: What MSCs Can Treat

Dr. Riordan's clinic treats a diverse range of conditions, with particularly strong results in autoimmune diseases. The protocols include treatment for:

Autoimmune Conditions:

• Multiple sclerosis

• Rheumatoid arthritis

• Lupus

• Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis

Orthopedic Issues:

• Osteoarthritis

• Joint degeneration

• Sports injuries

• Chronic pain conditions

Neurological Conditions:

• Parkinson's disease

• Spinal cord injuries

• Stroke recovery

Other Conditions:

• Heart failure

• Autism spectrum disorder (though this remains controversial and requires further study)

• COPD and lung diseases

• Diabetes complications

Treatment typically involves intravenous infusion, allowing the cells to circulate throughout the body and locate areas of inflammation and damage. For orthopedic issues, direct injection into affected joints can also be performed.

The Regulatory Landscape: Navigating FDA Approval

This is where Dr. Riordan's frustration becomes palpable—and understandable. While other countries are streamlining their regulatory processes for stem cell therapies, the United States remains mired in a system that can take decades to bring safe, effective treatments to patients who need them now.

"Japan has put in rules and regulations that will speed things up," Dr. Riordan explains. "Germany, South Korea, and Taiwan are right behind them. They're going to allow for innovation like we've never seen before. If we don't do something in this country, we're going to be left in the dust."

Japan's approach is particularly instructive: once you prove the safety of your product, it can go to market for seven years while you demonstrate efficacy. This "conditional approval" pathway accelerates patient access while still maintaining rigorous safety standards.

The FDA's recent regulatory actions have created additional complexity. In September 2024, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the FDA's authority to regulate stromal vascular fraction (SVF) and other stem cell products as drugs, requiring full FDA approval for marketing. This ruling, while protecting patients from unproven therapies, also means that allogenic products like umbilical cord and placenta-derived cells cannot be used in the US without an appropriate Investigational New Drug (IND) application.

Currently, the only FDA-approved stem cell products in the United States are blood-forming stem cells from umbilical cord blood, used specifically for hematopoietic system disorders. For mesenchymal stem cell therapies like those Dr. Riordan champions, patients often must travel abroad for treatment—a situation he finds both frustrating and unnecessary given the safety data available.

However, there is progress. In December 2024, Ryoncil became the first FDA-approved MSC therapy for pediatric steroid-refractory acute graft versus host disease, marking a significant milestone for the field.

The Path Forward: Innovation, Safety, and Access

Dr. Riordan believes we're at a crossroads. "Stem cell therapy is right up there with vaccinations and antibiotics as far as the next leap forward in medicine," he asserts. "The truth always comes out. The effectiveness of these cells, the safety of these cells, the naturalness of these cells—all those truths will become self-evident at some point."

But how long that takes depends on policy decisions happening now. Dr. Riordan advocates for state-level innovation similar to what happened with medical marijuana. "I think Texas has a pretty good chance of that," he says optimistically, noting the economic benefits of becoming a stem cell therapy hub.

His published research supports this optimism. With over 70 peer-reviewed publications and more than 40 patents and patent applications to his credit, Dr. Riordan has contributed substantially to the scientific foundation of regenerative medicine. His books, including "Stem Cell Therapy: A Rising Tide: How Stem Cells Are Disrupting Medicine and Transforming Lives," have earned endorsements from luminaries like Tony Robbins and Peter Diamandis.

Choosing Quality Care: What Patients Need to Know

For patients considering stem cell therapy, Dr. Riordan emphasizes the importance of doing your homework. Not all stem cell clinics are created equal, and the field has attracted its share of questionable operators making unrealistic promises.

Red flags to watch for include:

• Claims that stem cells can cure any condition

• Lack of published research or clinical data

• Unclear sourcing of stem cells

• Absence of medical doctor oversight

• Pressure to pay upfront for multiple treatments

• Claims of being "FDA-approved" when treating conditions beyond blood disorders

Quality indicators include:

• Transparent sourcing from legitimate tissue banks

• ISO certification and regulatory compliance

• Published clinical data and peer-reviewed research

• Comprehensive patient screening and medical evaluation

• Realistic discussion of expected outcomes

• Proper informed consent processes

To explore treatment at the Stem Cell Institute, potential patients can visit cellmedicine.com to learn about available protocols and submit an application. Six medical doctors review every case and request medical records before determining candidacy.

A Personal Testament: Larry North's Experience

The conversation between Larry North and Dr. Riordan carries particular weight because North isn't just a journalist—he's a patient who experienced the therapy firsthand. His testimony provides valuable insight into what treatment actually entails.

"I found it an amazing experience," North shares. "I had stem cells directly into the knee, and prior to meeting you I thought I was going to have to have surgery. I don't know what's going on in my body, but I'm feeling amazing."

For orthopedic issues like North's, Dr. Riordan's protocol involves both intravenous infusion and direct joint injection. The cells home to the inflamed areas, producing anti-inflammatory factors that reduce pain and support tissue healing. While individual results vary, many patients report significant improvement in mobility and pain reduction.

The Future Is Now—But Maybe Not Here

Perhaps the most poignant aspect of Dr. Riordan's story is the gap between what's possible and what's available to American patients. While his Panama clinic has performed over 50,000 procedures with documented safety and efficacy, most Americans can't access these therapies domestically without joining expensive clinical trials.

The irony isn't lost on Dr. Riordan. The very country that leads the world in biomedical research lags behind in delivering regenerative medicine to its citizens. "There's a bill being revised right now called the Renew Act," he mentions. "I don't know that it's going to make it, but we need something like it."

Until regulatory frameworks evolve, patients face difficult choices: wait for FDA approval processes that could take decades, join clinical trials with uncertain availability, or travel abroad for treatment. Dr. Riordan's work in Panama, Texas, and beyond continues to generate the safety data and clinical evidence that may eventually persuade regulators to create more accessible pathways.

Beyond the Hype: Realistic Expectations

It's crucial to maintain realistic expectations about stem cell therapy. While Dr. Riordan's results are impressive, he's careful not to overpromise. Stem cells aren't magic bullets that cure every condition. They work best for:

• Inflammatory and autoimmune conditions

• Degenerative diseases where supporting the body's repair mechanisms can slow progression

• Orthopedic issues involving joint and tissue inflammation

• Conditions where immune system modulation provides therapeutic benefit

They work less well—or not at all—for:

• Conditions requiring actual tissue replacement (they won't grow you a new organ)

• Genetic disorders where cellular function is fundamentally impaired

• Advanced degenerative diseases where too much tissue has already been lost

• Acute injuries requiring immediate surgical intervention

Success also depends on factors like age, overall health, disease severity, and treatment protocol adherence. Some patients, like the Duchenne's patient, require ongoing treatments every few months. Others may need only one or two courses of therapy.

The Riordan Legacy: More Than One Man's Work

What makes Dr. Neil Riordan's story compelling isn't just his scientific achievements—it's how he embodies the spirit of medical innovation his father championed. From Hugh Riordan's vitamin C research to Neil's stem cell breakthroughs, the family has demonstrated that challenging medical orthodoxy, when grounded in rigorous science and genuine care for patients, can change the world.

Today, Dr. Riordan splits his time between the Stem Cell Institute in Panama, the Riordan Medical Institute in Southlake, Texas, and his role as founder of Medistem Panama, a leading research facility, along with companies like Signature Biologics and Arugula Sciences. His contributions span from basic research to clinical applications, from patient care to policy advocacy.

As he continues his work, Dr. Riordan carries forward his father's legacy—arrows and all. The medical establishment that once ridiculed intravenous vitamin C now studies it at major universities. Similarly, the stem cell therapies that face regulatory hurdles today may become standard practice tomorrow.

What This Means For You

If you're considering stem cell therapy, Dr. Riordan's advice is straightforward: educate yourself, ask questions, and work with qualified medical professionals who prioritize transparency and safety.

Start by asking:

• What is the source of these stem cells?

• What published research supports this treatment for my condition?

• What are the realistic expectations for my specific case?

• What are the potential risks and side effects?

• What is the treatment protocol and duration?

• What regulatory approvals or oversight apply?

• Can you provide references from other patients with similar conditions?

Remember: enthusiasm from a provider is good, but scientific rigor and transparency are essential. The best clinics will welcome your questions and provide detailed, evidence-based answers.

The Bottom Line

Dr. Neil Riordan stands at the intersection of scientific innovation and clinical practice, advancing regenerative medicine while navigating complex regulatory landscapes. His work with umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells has helped thousands of patients and generated valuable clinical data that may eventually transform how we approach chronic diseases.

Whether stem cell therapy represents the next revolution in medicine—as Dr. Riordan believes—or becomes a valuable but limited tool in our medical arsenal remains to be seen. What's clear is that serious scientists like Dr. Riordan, working with rigorous protocols and publishing their results in peer-reviewed journals, are expanding what's possible in regenerative medicine.

For patients suffering from conditions that conventional medicine can't adequately address, this research offers hope. For the medical establishment, it offers a challenge: how to balance appropriate regulatory oversight with the need to make safe, effective therapies available to patients who need them.

As Dr. Riordan notes, "The truth always comes out." The question is not whether stem cell therapy will find its place in medicine, but how long we'll wait and how many patients will benefit when it does.

To learn more about Dr. Riordan's work, visitcellmedicine.comfor information on clinical protocols, published research, and patient applications. For those interested in the science, Dr. Riordan's books "Stem Cell Therapy: A Rising Tide" and "MSC: Clinical Evidence Leading Medicine's Next Frontier" provide comprehensive overviews of the field.

About Dr. Neil Riordan, PA, PhD:

Dr. Neil Riordan earned his Bachelor of Science summa cum laude from Wichita State University, his Master's degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, and his PhD in Health Sciences from the Medical University of the Americas. He is founder and chairman of the Stem Cell Institute in Panama, co-founder and chief science officer of the Riordan Medical Institute in Southlake, Texas, and founder of Medistem Panama Inc. With over 70 peer-reviewed publications and more than 40 patents, he is recognized as one of the world's leading experts in applied stem cell research and regenerative medicine.