UK Invests in Regenerative Medicine

An initiative in the UK will invest £75 million ($120.2 million) into translational science, with the aim of transforming biological understanding into clinical impacts that will benefit patients and the UK economy. The strategy will assess current medical capabilities and outline knowledge gaps and translational barriers that must be overcome.

The UK’s Medical Research Council (MRC), Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, Economic and Social Research Council, and the Technology Strategy Board are all involved in the project. Together, the partners have developed the Strategy for UK Regenerative Medicine, which outlines objectives and a delivery plan.

In a press statement, Rob Buckle, head of regenerative medicine at the MRC, said, “The Strategy for UK Regenerative Medicine provides a coherent framework for research and development activity in this area over the next five years to ensure that we build upon our existing strengths to deliver the regenerative therapies of the future.”

Part of the strategy will be a £25-million ($40.1 million) investment in a Regenerative Medicine Platform, which will work closely with the Technology Strategy Board Cell Therapy Catapult Center, established last year to bridge the gap between business, academia, research, and government in the area of cell therapies.

The strategy will build on existing investments in centers of excellence in stem-cell biology, medical imaging, tissue engineering, and manufacturing science. In particular, there will be a focus on early-stage translation. Buckle added, “Regenerative medicine has the potential to revolutionize patient care in years to come and UK scientists are at the forefront of this rapidly evolving field. But without continued investment and careful planning, this privileged position could be at risk.”