Comments on: Mixed Feelings on State Funding for Stem Cells http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2007/06/08/mixed-feelings-on-state-funding-for-stem-cells/ Business + Technology in the Exponential Economy Mon, 23 Nov 2009 06:44:11 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Willy Lensch http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2007/06/08/mixed-feelings-on-state-funding-for-stem-cells/comment-page-1/#comment-23 Willy Lensch Wed, 20 Jun 2007 19:43:20 +0000 http://www.xconomy.com/wordpress/2007/06/08/mixed-feelings-on-state-funding-for-stem-cells/#comment-23 I found the Nixon/Peabody meeting to be very interesting. V/C has been circling stem cells for a while and it looks like they'll continue to simply peek in from beyond the campfire, at least for now. Paydays in the near term will likely involve established companies that can cash-in on basic stem cell research (like lab supply houses) but I don't think that it's much of a new market. The use of human embryonic stem cells for screening large libraries of compounds generates buzz, including from Pfizer, but as yet, there is no "killer application" (at least that I have seen). There are some kinks to work out, it's still early for a lot of this, but keep watching. Do I think that state money is going to be the kiss of death here? No, I don't think so. The Devil is in the details and while the various states interested in funding research all appear to have an element of "economic stimulus" including a return on their investment, thoughtful strategies for dealing with any resulting IP can work out provided they are not heavy handed (limited or no march-in rights, reasonable royalty sharing…). Without investing in "R" there will be no "D". State funding can go a long way towards seeding innovative research. When the feds finally figure out a way to change their restrictive policy regarding embryonic stem cells, the leaders within the field will no doubt include players who got their stake from state's initiatives, commercial entities included. I found the Nixon/Peabody meeting to be very interesting. V/C has been circling stem cells for a while and it looks like they’ll continue to simply peek in from beyond the campfire, at least for now. Paydays in the near term will likely involve established companies that can cash-in on basic stem cell research (like lab supply houses) but I don’t think that it’s much of a new market. The use of human embryonic stem cells for screening large libraries of compounds generates buzz, including from Pfizer, but as yet, there is no “killer application” (at least that I have seen). There are some kinks to work out, it’s still early for a lot of this, but keep watching.

Do I think that state money is going to be the kiss of death here? No, I don’t think so. The Devil is in the details and while the various states interested in funding research all appear to have an element of “economic stimulus” including a return on their investment, thoughtful strategies for dealing with any resulting IP can work out provided they are not heavy handed (limited or no march-in rights, reasonable royalty sharing…). Without investing in “R” there will be no “D”. State funding can go a long way towards seeding innovative research. When the feds finally figure out a way to change their restrictive policy regarding embryonic stem cells, the leaders within the field will no doubt include players who got their stake from state’s initiatives, commercial entities included.

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