title: Progressing a human embryonic stem-cell-based regenerative medicine therapy towards the clinic.
abstract: Since the first publication of the derivation of human embryonic stem cells in 1998, there has been hope and expectation that this technology will lead to a wave of regenerative medicine therapies with the potential to revolutionize our approach to managing certain diseases. Despite significant resources in this direction, the path to the clinic for an embryonic stem-cell-based regenerative medicine therapy has not proven straightforward, though in the past few years progress has been made. Here, with a focus upon retinal disease, we discuss the current status of the development of such therapies. We also highlight some of our own experiences of progressing a retinal pigment epithelium cell replacement therapy towards the clinic.
authors.affiliation: Pfizer Neusentis, Granta Park, Cambridge CB21 6GS, UK paul.whiting@pfizer.com.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Whiting
authors.affiliation: Pfizer Neusentis, Granta Park, Cambridge CB21 6GS, UK.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kerby
authors.affiliation: The London Project to Cure Blindness, Division of ORBIT, Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London EC1V 9EL, UK.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Coffey
authors.affiliation: The London Project to Cure Blindness, Division of ORBIT, Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London EC1V 9EL, UK.
authors.forename: Lyndon
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: da Cruz
authors.affiliation: Pfizer Neusentis, Granta Park, Cambridge CB21 6GS, UK.
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: McKernan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D064987:Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy / Q000639:trends; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000637:transplantation*; D006801:Humans; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000628:therapy; D044968:Regenerative Medicine / Q000639:trends*; D055213:Retinal Pigment Epithelium / Q000166:cytology / Q000637:transplantation; D057170:Translational Research, Biomedical
keywords: pluripotent stem cell; regenerative medicine; retina