The UK has world-leading stem cell research expertise and a supportive regulatory framework, positioning it well for commercial opportunities. In the short term, research tools and differentiated cell lines could be used in drug discovery. However, stem cell therapies remain a long-term prospect due to challenges of safety, efficacy, and regulatory approval that must still be overcome.

1. EXPORTS & INTERNATIONAL
MARKETS
The UK is recognised as a world leader in stem cell research.
How can the UK’s strengths be translated into commercial opportunities in a global
market?
UKTI required an overview of the stem cell sector, both in the UK and worldwide, in
order to assess how they should support UK stem cell companies overseas.
What are the UK’s strengths in the area?
The supportive regulatory framework, allowing researchers to work with
embryonic stem cells within clear legislation, is a key advantage. This policy has
facilitated world-class research, and UK scientists have recognised expertise

2. What are the commercial opportunities for the stem cell
sector?
1. Therapeutics: The hope is that stem cells could be used to treat degenerative
disorders or to generate replacement tissues and organs. It is important to be
realistic: there are many challenges to overcome, including issues of safety,
efficacy, clinical application and regulatory approval. Stem cell therapies
remain a long-term prospect.
2. Research applications: Differentiated cell lines generated from stem cells
could be used in drug discovery, for screening assays and toxicity testing. If
pharma companies adopt this technology, it could offer real commercial
potential in the short-term.
3. Enabling technologies: Research tools and consumables, cell banking,
and technology for clinical production, will all be required to support
stem cell work. This is likely to be a growing area with significant value in
the medium-term.

3. What are the prospects in a global
market?
The opportunities and threats posed by US, Asia, Europe
and Scandinavia are assessed. Asia, with significant
government investment, has impressive infrastructure and
world-leading expertise. The US, which had been
hampered by federal restrictions, is now contributing large
sums of money to the field and could become dominant.
Scandinavia also has strong research, combined with
government and commercial backing. The UK needs to
gain benefit from global collaborations and international
activities in order to maintain its competitive advantage.

5. KEY PLAYERS & THEIR PROFILE
Company Description
Spin-out from University of
1.AXORDIA Sheffield.
‘Stem cell technologies for
www.axordia.com discovery and therapy’
Aim: to develop hES technology, to
create cell lines, reagents and
Founded -1999 diagnostic
markers of stem cell propagation,
differentiation and safety to
generate shortterm revenue. In the
longer term they will develop cell
replacement therapies

6. Spin-out from the Paterson
2.EPISTEM Institute for Cancer Research,
Manchester.
FOUNDED 2000 Pre-clinical contract research
company, specialising in
epithelial tissue and stem cell analysis
EpiStem offers a wide range of in vitro
and in vivo assays, providing advice
and analysis to biotech and
pharmaceutical companies. Much of
their business is international.

7. 3. CereStem Ltd Spin-out from King’s College
London.
FOUNDED 2002 Aim: to identify and
characterise human growth
factors that promote
proliferation and
differentiation of
therapeutically important
stem cell populations,
including liver, retinal and
cardiac cell lines.

8. 4.CELL CENTRIC Virtual company, spin-out
from University of
Cambridge.
‘Unlocking epigenetics’
FOUNDED 2003 Aim:commercial
exploitation of epigenetics
and mechanisms that control
cell functionality and fate.

9. Future prospects
Areas of agreement Owing to its accessibility, the cornea constitutes an easy
anatomical target for stem cell regeneration. On this basis, limbal epithelial
stem transplantation is the only ocular cell-based therapy already in use in the
clinical setting.
Areas of controversy Regeneration of the retina, a less accessible and
complex neural tissue, currently constitutes a major challenge. Investigations
into the potential use of stem cells for retina regeneration have generated
variable data and no therapies have yet been designed for human treatments.
Growing points Despite the present limitations, it has been progressively
accepted that various stem cells may have potential use for the development of
cell-based therapies to restore retinal function.
Areas for research development There is need to understand the cell
requirements and environmental conditions that may promote functional
integration and long-term survival of stem cells within the diseased retina. At
present, this constitutes a major area of research.