Caltech MIT Enterprise Forum

Technologies for creating, modifying and using stem cells in the treatment of human diseases and disorders show great promise, but involve inexpensive high-risk development as well as high levels of political, legal and ethical sensitivity. In California, a state agency, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), has been chartered to encourage and fund regenerative medicine, and has committed about half of its $3 billion allocation to more than 400 projects, mainly in R&D. This sizeable investment is underpinning the formation of medical start-ups in this promising area. However, federal rules remain hostile to research in a variety of promising areas.

Given this landscape, how does one start and fund a new venture involving stem cells or other aspects of regenerative medicine? The November 12 program will focus on the business opportunities and challenges and potential strategies for surmounting them. What categories of companies are currently commercially viable? How are they being funded now? What kind of strategic relationships are available with pharmaceutical, medical device, health care organizations?