French innovative clusters link for R&D collaboration in stem cell engineering

Three of the leading biotech clusters in France are joining forces to harness the potential of stem cells for the development of health care advances. The new consortium has received significant government funding for a three-year R&D project, which will focus on the use of iPSCs, or induced pluripotent stem cells.

By developing the technology to create custom iPSCs, (adult cells reprogrammed to a stem cell-like state), the partners will be able to provide pharmaceutical and cosmetics companies with an unlimited, non-controversial, supply of human cells that meet an unmatched standard of quality, and ultimately speed up the process of therapeutic innovation.

The number of organizations coming together in collaboration between companies and research institutes is unprecedented. Co-sponsored by three major French clusters - Alsace BioValley (Strasbourg), Cancer Bio Sante (Toulouse) and Medicen (Paris) ' the project, named SHIP-In, has a total budget of $6.5 million, and has secured financial support from the French government totaling $3.1 million.