Experts share what they believe are the solutions to key manufacturing challenges, such as lowering cost of goods and centralized manufacturing, in the cell and gene therapy sector.

While there, he found that when human bone marrow cells were treated in a unique way and implanted into an animal brain, the treated cells migrated throughout the brain and differentiated into human neurons. He also found that when these treated cells were implanted into a rodent eye with a damaged retina, the cells migrated to the area of damage and differentiated into new photoreceptor cells. Another discovery by Sugaya identified a small molecule that significantly increased the number of stem cells in the hippocampus and cortex of aged rats.

Hoping to unfreeze investor attitudes toward the industry, biotechs are embracing product strategies with the enthusiasm of religious converts. Platforms are out; so, increasingly, is discovery. The clinic is in. Targacept and Layton Bioscience are both embracing this philosophy, which enabled their deal in which Targacept bought rights to a marketed small-molecule from cell therapist Layton.