German regenerative medicine not being commercialised, say experts
Although Germany is a leading player in developing regenerative medicine, it must do more to remove administrative and business barriers preventing useful research being commercialised, claims a report published by the German Ministry for Education and Research.
Although Germany is a leading player in developing regenerative medicine, it must do more to remove administrative and business barriers preventing useful research being commercialised, claims a report published by the German Ministry for Education and Research.
Treatments such as skin replacement products for chronic wounds, cell therapy liver repairs, and repairing bone defects could be worth Euro 150m annually in a few years, predict the report's authors, consultants Capgemini. Their study has found that while Germany 'has done the scientific ground work, investing €230m since 1990..some research is not being turned into products or therapies.'
The paper says some problems are caused by the way in which costs are refunded through German health insurance funds, tough national approval procedures for medical products, and burdensome requirements for clinical studies.