Tissue initiative attracts first corporate transplant; CellSource credits Tissue Engineering Initiative for move.

SHADYSIDE - The Pittsburgh region, famous for its organ transplants, just received a transplant of its own.

CellSource, one of San Diego's fastest-growing private firms, has moved here with plans to initially hire about 43 people locally. Six executives have relocated from California.

The draw?

The research capabilities of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and a unique network known as the Pittsburgh Tissue Engineering Initiative.

"We are melding academia with industry," said John Johnson, a 54-year-old entrepreneur who is CellSource's president and chief executive officer.

In a region straggling to grow and retain entrepreneurs, the move by CellSource has raised some hopeful eyebrows, particularly because it is well past the start-up stage and is a revenue-producing company.

"I …