2012 Will See Larger Market for Stem Cell Technologies

The market for stem cell technologies will surge to over USD 700 million in 2012, and given some positive trends could reach over one billion dollars, according to a recent healthcare market report.

Market research publisher Kalorama Information (New York, NY, USA) cited newly permitted US usage and accompanying research funding in its forecasts, published in its new report. “Whether we see a worst case or best case scenario in the stem cell market depends on a number of factors,” said Bruce Carlson, publisher for Kalorama Information. “A likely scenario is that developers will continue to expand the utilization of ethically acceptable adult stem cells, and that patents and royalty payments will not seriously inhibit financial incentives. We also anticipate that at least a portion of current technologies under development will prove safe, clear regulations and show substantial benefits over current therapies.”

According to the report, cell therapies are now largely limited to a few diseases, particularly oncologic disorders such as leukemia, multiple myeloma, and non-Hodgkins lymphoma, although a number of noncancerous diseases such as aplastic anemia, immunodeficiency, and lupus are also increasingly addressed with stem cells. Kalorama finds that cord blood banking is also a source of revenue growth. With a readily available supply of stem cells that does not require yet-to-be developed technologies to utilize, umbilical cord blood is one of the least controversial sources of stem cells and many people support the idea of routinely collecting cord blood at birth.

The United States had been among the most vocal countries in its opposition to embryonic cell research, with several bills vetoed during the 2000 to 2007 time period that would have lessened restrictions on federal funding. In 2009, the Obama Administration issued Executive Order 13505, “Removing Barriers to Responsible Research Involving Human Stem Cells,” which set out to expand the US National Institutes of Health (NIH; Bethesda, MD, USA) support for the exploration of human stem cell research. As a result, NIH stem cell research funding from 2003 through 2010 has steadily increased, especially in the past two years.

Kalorama Information, a division of MarketResearch.com, supplies independent medical market research in diagnostics, biotech, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and healthcare; as well as research services.

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