April 20, 2025

Victoria to offer stem cells for world market

The Australian state of Victoria will become a new source of human embryonic stem cells in a commercial partnership designed to raise its profile in the global biotechnology market. Premier Steve Bracks told a world biotech conference in San Francisco that stem cell research “holds great promise for treating a range of diseases”.

The collaborative effort will involve the Melbourne-based National Stem Cell Centre, Melbourne IVF and a private company, Stem Cell Sciences, which will use the stem cells to test and develop drugs. The initiative is awaiting approval by the National Health and Medical Research Council.