The Stem Cells Translational Medicine Industrial Base of the National Self-Dependent Innovation Demonstration Area is led byDongfang Hospital, which is affiliated withTongji University. It was approved by the Shanghai government and was recently established in the Zhangjiang Bioengineering and Pharmaceutical Industrial Park. The total investment of the industrial base is 255 million yuan, including 105 million funded by government and 150 million invested by the university and society. Under the direction of Dongfang Hospital, there are more than 40 enterprises involved in the related stem cell research.
The three major research projects of the industrial base are (1) mesenchymal stem cells treatment of cardiac failure (one of the projects of the 863 Program), (2) retinal progenitor treatment of Parkinson’s disease (one of the projects of the 973 Program), and (3) adipose tissue’s stromal vascular fraction treatment of osteoarthritis (an international cooperation project). The goals of these research projects are to promote the industrialized and clinic research and development of translational medicine and to facilitate the translation of research achievements into products.
Although the stem cell research in Shanghai has taken the forefront in the world, the conversion rate of research achievements into products is still not high. This is why the Shanghai government has decided to invest in the Stem Cell Industrial Base and has engaged the Dongfang Hospital and Tongji University to lead the establishment of the base. “Up to now, Dongfang Hospital has reserved 296 independent intellectual properties and patents. We will construct five world standard platforms based on the Shanghai Major Special Projects. The platforms are Cells Preparation, Stem Cells Reservation, Stem Cells Screening, 3D Printing of Cells for Tissue Engineering, Safety Assessment and Quality Control of the stem sells products,” said Prof. LIU Zhongmin, who is in charge of the project and the president of Dongfang Hospital.
At the verification meeting of the base, the head of the division of science and education, Shanghai Municipal Commission of Health and Family Planning said, “It’s not impossible in Shanghai to establish a stem cell industrial base even though no international stem cell standards have been set. The government will make sure that the establishment of the base is consistent with international conventions by establishing regulations, relating to ethics, safety, the assessments, and effectiveness of the project.” Shanghai is in a position to provide a favorable environment for scientists to conduct research that benefits society.
Dongfang Hospital, affiliated to Tongji University, also led the establishment of the Stem Cell Engineering Translational Medical Center in 2012. With the laboratory and clinical test samples of Dongfang Hospital, the center is exploring a new mode that integrates the education, research, industrialization and clinical applications of stem cell technologies.
Translated by May Language Studio based upon
http://news.tongji.edu.cn/classid-8-newsid-47249-t-show.html
