ESACT meeting overview: Back to the future

Abstract

This joint meeting of the European Society of Animal Cell Technology (ESACT) and the Japanese Association of Animal Cell Technology (JAACT), addressed the scientific and engineering principles underpinning the process of producing therapeutic proteins in animal cells. ESACT has held meetings on this topic on a regular basis since 1976. Originally the focus was on the use of large scale mammalian cell culture for the production of vaccines but over the years additional products such as monoclonal antibodies and recombinant therapeutic proteins have become increasingly important. Prior to the conference the executive committee debated the issue of how the society should progress and look to develop new growth areas. As a result of these discussions a mission statement and set of aims was produced. At the General Assembly of the Society held during the conference the ESACT members voted to incorporate these amendments into the constitution of the society. These proposals (listed in Table 1) are relevant to the theme of this meeting "Developments towards the 21 st century" and to the topic addressed by Professor Charles Cooney in his opening address. Cooney posed the question "Are we ready for the 21 st century?" and reviewed past developments in the field of animal cell technology. His conclusion was that much has been achieved: many products from animal cells have been taken to the marketplace and are now used to treat human disease. He estimated that animal cell products generated worldwide sales of around US $ 3 billion per annum. The development time for these products is around ten years, however, so if we wish to consider the products which will be available in the 21st century we must consider those that are currently being developed. We can't afford to be complacent about past success because this long lead-in time means that the future is very near. Past successes which were identified included the development of the technology for growing cells on Table 1. The revised mission statement for the European Society for Animal Cell Technology