UKSCB Releases Stem Cell Lines for Development

The United Kingdom Stem Cell Bank (UKSCB) at the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC) announced on Feb. 27, 2017 that it would be releasing its first stem-cell lines suitable for development. In a press release, UKSCB said the stem cells would be available to researchers developing novel cell-based medicines for clinical trials.

The stem cell lines are produced and authenticated under European regulation and are therefore suitable for use as starting materials in manufacturing therapies for clinical trials, UKSCB said. Each cell line will be supplied with a certificate of analysis and UKSCB said it was in the process of compiling a starting materials dossier for each cell line, which would be available in the future.

“Regenerative medicines are a game-changer-they have the potential to fully repair damaged tissues and organs, offering new solutions and hope for people with conditions that could not previously be cured,” said Christian Schneider, director of NIBSC, in a statement. “At the heart of regenerative medicines are stem cells, as they can generate cells to repair many different tissues and open the door to novel therapies for currently untreatable disease.”