The implementation of novel collaborative structures for the identification and resolution of barriers to pluripotent stem cell translation.

Increased global connectivity has catalyzed technological development in almost all industries, in part through the facilitation of novel collaborative structures. Notably, open innovation and crowd-sourcing-of expertise and/or funding-has tremendous potential to increase the efficiency with which biomedical ecosystems interact to deliver safe, efficacious and affordable therapies to patients. Consequently, such practices offer tremendous potential in advancing development of cellular therapies. In this vein, the CASMI Translational Stem Cell Consortium (CTSCC) was formed to unite global thought-leaders, producing academically rigorous and commercially practicable solutions to a range of challenges in pluripotent stem cell translation. Critically, the CTSCC research agenda is defined through continuous consultation with its international funding and research partners. Herein, initial findings for all research focus areas are presented to inform global product development strategies, and to stimulate continued industry interaction around biomanufacturing, strategic partnerships, standards, regulation and intellectual property and clinical adoption.

Organization profile: genetics policy institute.

Genetics Policy Institute (GPI) is a nonprofit, public interest organization recognized as a leading promoter and defender of stem cell research and other cutting-edge medical research targeting cures. Since GPI's inception in 2003, its mission has focused on establishing a positive policy, regulatory and societal framework to enable research to flourish, under the highest ethical and medical standards. We seek to accelerate the discovery and development of lifesaving cures, therapies, diagnostics and research technologies, with an overarching goal to alleviate human suffering from chronic afflictions.

It's about change...regenerative medicine in the Obama era.

During his campaign, US President-elect Obama pledged to use an executive order to overturn federal-funding limits on research into human embryos that are created during fertility treatments imposed by President Bush. Robert Klein, Chairman of the Governing Board of California's stem cell funding agency, Governor Jim Doyle, and Bernard Siegel, Executive Director of the Genetics Policy Institute, discuss the implications of the new administration for regenerative medicine research in the USA.