Workshop explores the challenge of taking stem cell therapy to market

The NSW Stem Cell Network is hosting a workshop to address the future of stem cell research in Australia and the gap in taking innovative stem cell therapies to patients. To be held on 29 November at the Sydney Convention Centre, the topic of the workshop is ‘Innovating the Marketplace with Stem Cells’.

Over 100 clinicians, scientists, policymakers, investors, IP lawyers, patient advocates, and pharma and biotech executives are participating in the workshop, which will take a serious look at the issue. It will investigate the history and current status of stem cells and will outline models for the successful progression of stem cell technologies in Australia.

Professor Bernie Tuch, founder and director of the NSW Stem Cell Network, said Australia is the birthplace of innovative ideas in stem cell research and therapies and has already demonstrated some commercial success. The problem is that the Australian industry is plagued by a loss of IP, talent and manufacture to countries abroad that are better supported with commercialisation and investment opportunities.

“A collective effort is needed to push this industry forward,” said Professor Tuch. “Basic researchers need to become educated as to the part they play in getting their technology to patients and interactions need to improve between Australia’s researchers, clinicians, commercial and regulatory bodies towards driving realistic solutions.

“Many countries are currently running clinical trials for which we have the expertise in Australia; many even utilise Australian technologies. We cannot miss the chance to lead this industry by sitting back and waiting.”

As a diabetes clinician and CSIRO pluripotent stem cell researcher, Dr Tuch says chronic lack of funding inhibits the Australian stem cell industry from being able to offer treatments to patients. With multiple stem cell sources and therapeutic options available for each human disease, he said, now is the time to invest in and support the clinical and commercial development of stem cell technologies.

Dr Paul Brock is an advocate of stem cell technologies in Australia and vice-patron of the Motor Neurone Disease Association of NSW. He said, “As one who spent a lot of time and energy publicly arguing for the adoption of the eventually successful federal stem cell legislation in 2002 and 2006, I have been disappointed at what has appeared to me to have been the slow take-up of Australian research projects utilising the legislative green light given to embryonic stem cell research and somatic cell nuclear transfer research by those Bills.”

Dr Tuch concluded, “Though we have strong research and brilliant minds in Australia, we have failed our stem cell industry on multiple occasions. It is time for proper planning and effective communications to promote investment in our stem cell industry and subsequent Aussie-grown products to the patient.”

Registration for the workshop is open until 15 November and can be completed online at http://www.stemcellnetwork.org.au/Workshop/MainFrameSet.html.