In this field the France tries to position itself

The proximity of the revision of the bioethics law, scheduled for early 2011, raises the pressure on embryonic stem cells. On one side, researchers, industry and the Academy of medicine boarded the niche to claim a liberalization research into these cells, capable of giving birth to all types of functional cells of an organ, a muscle or a vessel. On the other, some pressure groups who sacralisent the embryo claim, on the contrary, a hardening. Citizens and members of the majority seem to rather for the maintenance of the status quo. On the national Advisory Council on ethics, he refuses to take a position. His last opinion, dating from the December 1, merely provide "reflection".

Timing is critical, because the new law include more automatic review clause, thus freezing the principles it sets out for years. This is why researchers are committed to the current regime of prohibition (with exception) a licensing scheme. The lack of visibility of the current legislation feed, according to scientists, the timidity of foreign investors. But research on embryonic stem cells is in a bad position in France

To date, according to the report of the Academy of medicine, biomedical Agency issued 50 permissions against 8 refusal. Marc Peschanski, Scientific Director of the Institute of the stem cells for the treatment and study of monogenic diseases (I-Stem), "we took a fatal delay for the French legislation has allowed that as of end 2004, and under certain conditions, research on embryonic stem cells while overseas teams worked already for a long time".

A clinical trial in France

It is clear that the United States, Great Britain, Israel, Singapore and China are very far before both in patenting research effort. According to many experts, despite a high-level academic research, the hexagon does catch not its fundamental research. Also the France tries to build on the next step, that of clinical research. The three only clinical trials to date, two take place in the United States and the third will start in France. For the treatment of heart failure, this test will be conducted by Philippe Menasché unit of cell therapy in cardiovascular pathology of the Georges-Pompidou hospital in Paris. "We turned to embryonic stem cells because we had failed with other strategies, he says." But each disease will dictate the choice of the type of cells to use.

Because embryonic stem cells are not the only ones to have therapeutic potential. Some adult stem cells, particularly those found in the bone marrow or umbilical cord blood, were also the capacity for differentiation, more limited but which allows the different blood cells.

New molecules

But the iPS, a third type of cells with the same properties as embryonic stem cells, that are today the most hope. Invented in 2007 by the Japanese scientist Shinya Yamanaka, they are obtained by reprogramming adult differentiated cells. "Most of the French teams work today simultaneously on different types of cells, to test several strategies", observes Thomas Martinelli, co-author of a study, in 2010, by Bionest Partners on behalf of the Entreprises du médicament (LEEM).

Can we then expect French successes in cell therapy "What is the type of stem cells used, progress remains dependent on the research on embryonic stem cells, this is why the France is disabled, considers Marc Peschanski." And if the Act does not change, it is the train of industrialization that we miss.

The market of Cellular therapy is indeed being open with the therapeutic vaccine Provenge, marketed by Dendreon in the United States since last may, for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer. Several world leaders in the pharmaceutical industry (GlaxoSmithKline, Roche, AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Novartis and Sanofi-Aventis), simply to make the technology watch, are starting to invest. The major challenge is to go on a standardized and reproducible production.

In this field, the France tries to position itself. I - Stem has signed a partnership with Roche to introduce it to its screening technology broadband. The Swiss group hopes, through this new tool, identify new molecules able to combat the degenerative diseases of central nervous system (Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases). Another example, the CellMill project, including I-Stem and the French company Cellectis, specializing in genome engineering, through its subsidiary Ectycell. It is to develop a platform capable of producing of iPS in industrial way, taking into account the genetic diversity of individuals. "The France has been delayed, but there are opportunities to be seized, said David Sourdive, Director General of Cellectis.". In France, we have the methodology, talent, clinicians and the culture of graft. Then it is now or never be positioned.

Lack of private capital

Today, companies French involved in cellular therapy together about 300 employees and are mainly concentrated in Ile-de-France. But "rock with I-Stem or Ectycell examples are the trees that hide the forest," said Thomas Martinelli. The United States or Britain welcome more collaborations of this kind. It is Sanofi-Aventis, the French tenor of the pharmacy, not associated to the Salk Institute in San Diego But if the regulatory brake has played and still plays, it does not explain everything. "The lack of projects for industrial purposes and private funding type venture capital also penalized the establishment of a branch in France", continues Thomas Martinelli.