The ISSCR Launches Consortium to Support Adoption of Stem Cell-Derived Disease Models for Drug Discovery and Development
Advances in human stem cell-derived disease models have the potential to augment our predictive power for the efficacy and safety of new drugs. This technology, which complements existing approaches, is poised to reduce R&D costs and accelerate the development of new therapies for patients.
The International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) has assembled an international consortium of cross-sector thought leaders from industry, academia, and regulatory science to enable the widespread, responsible adoption.
This ISSCR initiative is aligned with recent announcements and efforts by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the European Commission. Together, these efforts mark a continuing commitment to enhance patient-centered approaches in biomedical research and drug development and stand to impact the efficiency and speed with which the new therapies are delivered.
Consortium Leadership
Shuibing Chen, PhD, Weill Cornell, USA (Co-chair)
Daniela Cornacchia, PhD, AstraZeneca, Sweden (Co-chair)
Luigi Aloia, PhD, AstraZeneca, UK
Erica Bello, PhD, Milner Institute, University of Cambridge, UK
Kapil Bharti, PhD, NEI/NIH, USA
Hans Clevers, MD, PhD, Roche, Switzerland
Magdalena Kasendra, PhD, Cincinnati Children’s, USA
Henning Kempf, PhD, GEM CELL hub at Novo Nordisk
Christine Mummery, PhD, LUMC, Netherlands
Steve Murry, PhD, Jackson Labs, USA
Li Pang, MD, FDA, USA
Hideyuki Okano, MD, PhD, Keio University, Japan
Lee Rubin, PhD, Harvard University, USA
Charis Segeritz-Walko, PhD, Novo Nordisk, Denmark
Clive Svendsen, PhD, Cedars-Sinai, USA
Carlos Tristan, PhD, NCATS/NIH, USA
Joseph Wu, MD, PhD, Stanford University, USA
Matthias Zilbauer, MD, PhD, University of Cambridge, UK
Organizations and individuals interested in joining or participating in the consortium may contact isscr@isscr.org.
About ISSCR
With nearly 5,000 members from more than 80 countries, the International Society for Stem Cell Research is the preeminent global, cross-disciplinary, science-based organization dedicated to stem cell research and its translation to the clinic. The ISSCR mission is to promote excellence in stem cell science and applications to human health.
Note: This announcement was revised on 6 October 2026 to add the names of the leadership.