Since the discovery of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) in 2006, a large and thriving research products market has emerged, largely because the cells are non-controversial and can be generated directly from adult cells. It is clear that iPSCs represent a lucrative market segment, because methods for commercializing this cell type are expanding every year and clinical studies investigating iPSCs are swelling in number.

Therapeutic applications of iPSCs are also emerging. In 2013, RIKEN launched the worlds first study of an iPSC-derived cell therapy product, treating the first patient in 2014 with iPS cell-derived retinal sheets.Numerous studies with iPSCs have also been undertaken in Japan, with iPSC-derived treatments being used for the treatment of Parkinsons disease, heart disease, spinal cord injury, and platelet production.

In a world-first achieved in 2016, Cynata Therapeutics received approval to launch the worlds first formal trial of an allogeneic iPSC-derived cell product (CYP-001) for the treatment of GvHD. Riding the momentum within the CAR-T field, Fate Therapeutics is developing FT819, its off-the-shelf iPSC-derived CAR-T cell product candidate.

While the therapeutic progress is exciting, other methods of commercializing iPS cells have also expanded exponentially.

Since the discovery of iPSC technology nearly 15 years ago, exponential progress has been made in stem cell biology and regenerative medicine.

New pathological mechanisms have been identified and explained, new drugs identified by iPSC screens are in the pipeline, and the first clinical trials employing human iPSC-derived cell types have been initiated.

What do you think the next 15 years will hold? Let us know in the comments below.

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Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (iPS Cell) Applications in 2020