Stem cells are a kind of cells that have the potential of multi-differentiation, self-renewal and secreting various cytokines to participate in the repair of damaged tissues and organs. With the rapid progress of scientific research, stem cells have been widely used in the treatment of diseases in China, and have achieved exciting results. It is worth noting that in recent years, stem cells have been mentioned many times in the national two sessions and various public platforms. Today, this article will give you an inventory of the country's public attitude toward stem cells and their industrialization.

 01 Two sessions: Vigorously promote gene therapy research and development and stem cell industry

At 9 am on March 5, 2024, the second session of the 14th National People's Congress opened at the Great Hall of the People. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and is a key year for achieving the goals and tasks of the 14th Five-Year Plan. The National Two sessions held in this important year have attracted the attention of all parties.

Life Science, Cell Industry, Stem Cell Technology, Longevity Technology....... These key words were mentioned and suggested by NPC deputies and CPPCC members. Stem cells, in particular, have become an important topic at the 2024 two sessions.

With the rapid development of medical science and technology, stem cell and gene therapy has become one of the most potential and revolutionary treatments in modern medical field. Ding Liming, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, put forward the proposal on vigorously promoting stem cell production and gene therapy drug research and development, aiming to promote China's research and development progress in this field and improve the country's competitiveness in the global biomedical field.

The proposal mainly includes the following suggestions:

We will strengthen the supply of industrial policies

The government should introduce more favorable policies to encourage enterprises and scientific research institutions to invest in the research and development of stem cell and gene therapy drugs, and provide financial support, tax relief and other preferential measures

Guide domestic capital investment

By setting up special funds and guiding social capital, we will attract more funds to invest in the research and development of stem cell and gene therapy drugs, and form a diversified and sustainable funding mechanism

We should uphold the principle that science knows no borders and deepen international cooperation

On the premise of complying with international rules and human genetic resources management requirements, strengthen cooperation with foreign scientific research institutions and enterprises, and jointly promote the development and application of stem cell and gene therapy drugs to release foreign investment restrictions

Allow foreign investment in the field of CGT (Cell and Gene Therapy, cell and gene therapy) in China, promote the synchronous competitive development of domestic and foreign enterprises, and accelerate the deep integration of industrial chain, supply chain, capital chain and talent chain.

This is not the first appearance of life science in 2024, as early as the beginning of the year, stem cells as an important research direction of life science, several times on the stage of the two sessions.

02 Science and Technology Daily published: stem cell research or medical technology revolution

Recently, "Science and Technology Daily" published an article about stem cells, at a scientific meeting, many scientists have published their views on the "new star" stem cell technology of regenerative medicine, and agreed that stem cells will trigger a new round of medical technology revolution.

In the 21st century, science and technology are developing rapidly. With the continuous breakthrough of disruptive biotechnology such as gene editing and synthetic biology, and the continuous cross-integration of stem cell research and new technologies such as artificial intelligence, it has revolutionized the research paradigm of regenerative medicine and will bring industrial changes in the field of life and health.    

03 The Science and Education Department of the National Health Commission solicited proposals for key projects of "stem cell research and organ repair"

In order to do a good job in the establishment of key special projects under the national key research and development Plan and give full play to the advantages of relevant units and experts in the field in the condensation of the needs of special projects, on February 2, 2024, the Science and Education Department of the National Health Commission issued a notice on the collection of six key special project proposals such as "research on the prevention and treatment of common diseases".

Among them, "Stem Cell Research and Organ Repair" is one of the key special projects, focusing on the key scientific issues of stem cell development and organ repair, the basic theories and key technologies of stem cell fate regulation, organ formation and aging mechanism, organ function remodeling and manufacturing, gene editing and regulation methods, etc. And carry out frontier exploration of organ regeneration regulation drugs, bioartificial organs, disease organoid models, etc., to provide innovative theories and technologies for the repair and replacement of important tissues and organs and the diagnosis and treatment of major diseases.

The overall positioning of the "Notice" focuses on the major national needs in the field of health, with the goal of leading the frontier of life science, serving people's life and health, and improving the development quality of the health industry.

Six key projects, including research on prevention and treatment of common diseases, protection of reproductive health and women's and children's health, diagnosis and treatment equipment and biomedical materials, research on key technologies for biosafety, cutting-edge biotechnology, stem cell research and organ repair, will be set up.

Stem cells are like "seeds of life", which can be differentiated into cells with multiple functions under certain conditions and have the ability to repair and regenerate organs and various tissue functions, providing new possibilities in the treatment of diseases of the immune system, nervous system, blood system, cardiovascular system, bone and joint, etc. At present, the tendency of national policy to support the development of stem cell industry is becoming more and more clear. Laws and regulations will be improved.

We believe that with the deepening of scientific research and policy support, the field of stem cells will usher in a brighter moment. In the near future, stem cell technology will benefit more patients and light the light of hope for human health!