A decade of progress: Achievements and future challenges for regenerative medicine research in the United Kingdom

Abstract

The final United Kingdom Regenerative Medicine Platform (UKRMP) conference held in Edinburgh's iconic McEwan Hall between 8th and November 10, 2023 saw a gathering of nearly 200 international delegates presenting exceptional science and celebrating a decade of this initiative. The UKRMP had the core mission to break down the major barriers to clinical translation of regenerative medicine products. UKRMP2 was established as three hubs that worked closely with industry and regulators: 1) Pluripotent Stem Cells and Engineered Cells, 2) Engineered Cell Environments, and 3) Smart Materials. In this meeting report, we outline the original aims of UKRMP, examine how it achieved critical mass, summarise the major developments that the UKRMP hubs delivered, and examine some unresolved challenges that still lie ahead in the field of regenerative medicine.