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| April 3, 2009. Frankfurt, Germany. Innovation requires perseverance and, above all, necessary capital. This point was clearly communicated at the first Investors Conference hosted by the German Society for Regenerative Medicine. High caliber presenters from basic and clinical research, industry and politics engaged in a dialog about the necessity and possibilities of financing in one of the most dynamic high potential areas of modern medicine. |
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Regeneration instead of repair is no longer a vision but a reality that takes more and more shape today. Presentations by high caliber experts from research, clinical development and industry delineated the promise of various research approaches, clinical procedures and medical products.
Through this event, the German Society for Regenerative Medicine (GRM) aimed to further establish and expand existing networks. RegMedInvest was to connect innovative ideas, scientific institutions ready to launch high quality products into the market with industrial players as well as financial investors. The choice of the two moderators exemplified this connection. They led the event competently and facilitated lively discussion. Professor Konrad Kohler, Head of the Center for Regenerative Biology and Medicine in Tübingen, Germany and Firus Mettler, a Private Equity and Investment Manager were able to effectively embrace the different groups present at the event.
Scientists, clinicians and the industry participating in RegMedInvest were in agreement that the “promise” of regenerative medicine has to be seen realistically. Professor Andreas Zeiher of Frankfurt University’s Cardiology Unit welcomed the regulatory framework established by the European Union even though such rules seem to pose a challenge to the progress of projects in regenerative medicine. “However, those regulations will prevent that commercial interest will prevail at the expense of patients fear”, Professor Zeiher said.
Attendees at the Conference all agreed that the crucial issue currently in regenerative medicine is the lack of capital and apparent hesitation on the side of potential financial investors. Therefore, this conference aimed to give potential investors and political representatives a comprehensive overview of regenerative medicine and thereby bringing across the need for perseverance this field requires, similar to pharmaceutical research.
The government is required to show decisive action in this field, says Mrs. Cornelia Pieper. She attended the Conference in her role as Vice Chairperson of the Education and Research Committee of the German Parliament and as Vice Chairperson of the German Liberal Party. In addition to confirming her support for this field she also presented tangible proposals: “Our party is committed to include significant tax incentives for research and development in its government program since the German research based industry needs support similar to the support available internationally. Compared to other industrial nations, Germany is currently at a disadvantage. Tax credits in Germany amount to 5.8% compared to more than 10% in the US and the UK.”
Mrs. Nicola Beer, State Secretary for European Affairs in the State of Hessia remarked that the growing market in healthcare cannot be neglected for the long run, as it represents a significant industry with 4.3 million jobs in Germany. This employment potential cannot be lost to other countries. Regenerative Medicine in particular with its focus on stem cell research represents an enormous growth potential.
The Director of Heidelberg University Medical Center and world class hematologist Professor Anthony Ho regretted in his presentation that patient benefit has taken a backseat in the public discussion on regenerative medicine to legal and regulatory issues. A constructive dialog between politics, industry and research institutions would greatly accelerate the progress of new therapeutic approaches. “ … we are equally dependent on the support of the German government, potential investors as well as organizations such as the GRM.”
The Head of the Translational Center for Regenerative Medicine in Leipzig, Germany, Professor Frank Emmrich illustrated in his presentation two biological principles for body function: the ability of regeneration on one hand; and the ability of specific adaptation to external circumstances, both mechanisms provided by nature to sustain and conduct life. “These two natural resources useful to mobilize the body’s own ability to cope with circumstances will become more prevalent in the primary and secondary segments of the market for health care. Considering the enormous need in geriatrics, pandemic and endemic diseases and aspects of quality and costs of care, the benefits of resource based health care approaches are obvious compared to symptomatic treatment.”
Therapies currently in development are effective and may prove not to be more costly in the long run as compared to standard treatments, said Professor Heike Mertsching, Department Head at the Frauenhofer Institute for Cell Systems in Stuttgart, Germany and Scientific Spokesperson of GRM. In her opinion, new therapies might be able to offset some of the high costs associated with lifelong drug therapy. Treatments pursued by Professor Mertsching are human cell based. With the help of tissue engineering and the knowledge of cells, specific, efficient scaffolds and tests systems could be developed that prove to be useful in pharmaceutical research.
Professor Zeiher continued to say: “Research performed at university medical centers today will yield products that need financing down the road. It is for this reason that I am soliciting our industrial partners to consider alternative models of collaboration.”
The President of V-Care Biomedical, Professor Andreas Emmendörfer, added: “The reach of regenerative medicine extends beyond human medicine. Veterinary medicine offers commercial potentials as well. Based on simpler regulatory requirements it takes less time until products (e.g. mesynchimal stem cells for the treatment of tendon injuries; skin cells and cartilage cells) can be made commercially available to customers. Insight and experience gained with animals can be applied in human subjects particularly since the regulatory bodies (EMEA) require relevant animal models.”
Dr. Kai Pinkernell of Cytori Therapeutics said: “Regenerative medicine has already produced a lot of results. A forum like the one here is important in order to present these results to commercial groups interested in meaningful investment alternatives. This is important as Germany is making first steps to invest risk capital in areas such as Biotechnology”.
“It has been an excellent event with highly attractive presentations. Obviously this is an area that will certainly be in the spotlight for many more years. Expectations of the participants were met and the prospects of this area of research are exciting,” summarized one of the participants in this Conference that was very well attended.
The follow-on to RegMedInvest 2009, organized by the German Society for Regenerative Medicine (GRM) will be held every Spring in Frankfurt, Germany. Regenerative Medicine will continue its dynamic and exciting path. Products and technologies are going to continuously advance. The Future of Medicine and the Medicine of the Future requires perseverance and therefore we look forward to see you on April 30, 2010. |
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www.regmedinvest.com
CONTACT
German Society for Regenerative Medicine
Laubestrasse 34, 60594 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
www.gesellschaft-regenerative-medizin.de or www.grm-aktuell.de
Ulrike Schwemmer, President
T +49 (0) 69-61995119
F +49 (0) 69-623617
E schwemmer@grm-aktuell.de
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| Last modified: 12.01.10 |
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