Regenerative Medicine in China: The Capacity, Capability and Reliability

Abstract

Regenerative medicine (RM) is an emerging interdisciplinary field of research. Its clinical application focuses on the repair, replacement and regeneration of cells, tissues, or organs by approaches including stem cell transplantation, tissue engineering, and colonel treatment. RM has become a hot point of research in China and other countries. China has developed the research quickly and impressed the world with numerous research findings in stem cells, tissue engineering, active molecules and gene therapy. China’s main and local governments have attached great importance to RM and given strong support in relevant policies and funding. About 3.5 billion RMB has been invested in this field. Since 1999, China has established more than 30 RM centers. Important directions are induced differentiation of induced pluripotent stem and embryo stem cells as well as somatic stem cell differentiation potential and their application in trauma, burns, diseases of aging and nerve regeneration. The products ActivSkin and bone repair scaffolds have been approved and are applied in the clinic, and similar products are being studied. About 10 engineered growth-factor drugs for repair and regeneration have been approved and are used in the clinic. Gene therapy, therapeutic clone and xenotransplantation are widely of the strategies being studied. China cooperates with many advanced countries in RM research and benefits from their cooperation. However, China needs to develop standards, regulations and management practices suitable for the healthy development of RM. Aspects that should be strengthened include sound administrative systems, laws, and technical specifications and guidelines; conservation of stem cell resources; emphasis on training and retention of talented stem cell researchers; and reasonable allocation of resources, diversification of investment and breakthroughs in genetic and tissue engineering, etc areas. Finally, broad and deep international cooperation is necessary.