2016 was an eventful year in stem cell science, with significant advances that furthered understanding of regenerative systems, human biology and disease modeling, and moved forward numerous programs in clinical translation.

The ISSCR supports investment in biomedical research that advances the stem cell and regenerative medicine fields. To underscore this commitment, the ISSCR convenes meetings of leaders in industry, technology, healthcare, and private and public foundations to discuss how to advance biomedical research and investment.

Fetal tissue research has made major contributions to our understanding of biology and the development of new medical technologies, including vaccines for many diseases that have saved millions of lives. The ISSCR is providing a portfolio of examples showing how the use of fetal tissue has led to therapies that have saved lives as well as ways in which fetal tissue research continues to be necessary for medical advances.

The ISSCR supports the increase in biomedical research funding in the 21st Century Cures Act in the U.S. It also underscores concern that the bill's streamlined process for FDA review and approval of regenerative therapies include a rigorous review of scientific and clinical evidence to ensure safety and efficacy.

The ISSCR supports the increase in biomedical research funding in the current version of the 21st Century Cures Act. It also underscores concern that the bill's streamlined process for FDA review and approval of regenerative therapies include a rigorous review of scientific and clinical evidence to ensure safety and efficacy.

In comments to the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), the ISSCR supported regulation of autologous products that involve more than minimal manipulation of a patient’s cells and place strict limitations on the direct advertisement of cell-based therapies. The comments were in response to the TGA's call for input from interested parties about the regulation of autologous cell and tissue products.

The European Society of Gene and Cell Therapy (ESGCT) & ISSCR host an International Symposium to Present the Latest in Stem Cell Research, Gene Editing and Gene Therapy. Latest news and developments in research will be part of the scientific programming.

The ISSCR opposes the REGROW Act, which would allow certain cell and tissue-based therapeutics to be marketed without first providing rigorous evidence of safety and efficacy. If passed, this legislation could negatively impact the development of stem cell therapies, the integrity of the emerging regenerative medicine market, and the health and safety of people using stem cell products approved under this Act.

The ISSCR today underscored the need for careful oversight and regulation of stem cell research at every stage in the process of developing therapeutic products for patient use.

The ISSCR supports the continued assessment of the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) Guidelines for Human Stem Cell Research. We applaud the proposed end to the current moratorium on U.S. federal funding of human-animal chimera research involving the introduction of human pluripotent cells into early stage animal embryos.

ISSCR Congratulates George Q. Daley, ISSCR past president, for being named dean of Harvard Medical School. August, 2016.

The ISSCR is pleased that the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) is considering an end to the moratorium on NIH funding of human-animal chimera research (NIH Notice, 8-4-16).

This post-ISSCR 2016 meeting recap provides highlights of the annual meeting, including major speakers and topics, information about the exhibit hall and innovation forums, and areas of stem cell science that were part of the scientific program.

The ISSCR provided comments to the National Academy of Science/National Academy of Medicine Committee on Human Gene Editing regarding scientific, medical, and ethical considerations.

The ISSCR Announces Los Angeles, CA as the site of its 2019 annual meeting, noting that it's the first time the organization will be meeting in that city. ISSCR 2019 is expected to draw more than 3,000 stem cell researchers and professionals from around the globe to the Los Angeles Convention Center 26-29 June, 2019.