New labs for Stem Cell Sciences

Melbourne company Stem Cell Sciences (SCS) has unveiled new commercial laboratories to produce embryonic stem cells and derivative tissue.

The establishment of the Collingwood-based labs, which will have 15 staff and room to expand, forms part of the company's global strategy to deliver stem cells for use in human medicine.

Chief executive Dr Peter Mountford said the facilities would enable Stem Cell Sciences to integrate its Australian research capabilities with its global business initiatives.

"The laboratories are now fully operational and will service the demands of SCS's internal R&D programs and those of a growing list of pharmaceutical company partners," Mountford said.

"These multi-million dollar deals are not only a reflection of our unique technology, but also direct confirmation of our scientific capability."

Mountford said labs would be used to grow ES cells and produce purified populations of ES derived tissue, as well as in gene and drug discovery.

He said the expansion of SCS's Melbourne-based research underscored its commitment to supporting Victorian industry, while the recent decision by the Coalition of Australian Governments to permit the use of IVF embryos in stem cell research would enable the company to further expand its local efforts in the field.

He said the company's Melbourne research teams would complement its operations in Edinburgh and would build on the company's close interaction with the Centre for Genome Research at Edinburgh University.