Tissue Engineering – Does It Have A Commercial Future?

Significant challenges must be addressed if tissue engineering companies are to deliver commercially viable products, says Cambridge Consultants Ltd (CCL).

Research conducted by the Cambridge-based technology company has identified that unless these challenges are met, it is unlikely engineered tissue products will become a commercially viable treatment option of the future. Several key barriers are faced by companies to achieving successful commercialisation.

Both tissue engineering and regenerative medicine are seen as technologies which can deliver solutions to many problems caused by injury, disease or old age. Whilst some analysts anticipate that the global market could be worth in excess of $30 billion in 10 years, CCL’s latest report shows that the task of successfully bringing a tissue engineered product to market is still not without its problems.

Interviews with a number of the leading companies in the tissue engineering and regenerative medicine industry, including three of the top five players, identified that many challenges are still to be faced. These include the development of cost efficient scaleable processes; guaranteeing product viability; proving the benefits of these products to the medical community; and satisfying the regulators.

Dr Stephen Blatcher, senior bioengineer at CCL commented on the results, "A key message from this survey is that companies must be careful not to be seduced by the science of regenerative medicine, they must carefully think through the whole process and business requirements that must be met."

Specific issues covered in CCL’s report include the effects of scaffold selection on both product & process requirements, understanding the advantages and disadvantages of process automation, maintaining quality throughout the entire process, from raw material to end product, and issues affecting product shelf life.

Dr Blatcher concludes, "Commercialisation of tissue engineered products will only become viable if these challenges are addressed. Companies must have a good understanding of how factors other than the core science will affect their business. As the market develops, additional factors, for example the impact of patent litigation, will come into play and companies must be fully aware of potential risks."

Based on the findings of this survey, CCL can recommend a number of tools and methodologies to address the key technical challenges identified in this research.

Notes for editors

Cambridge Consultants Limited (CCL) designs and develops innovative new products, processes and systems. CCL enables clients to turn business opportunities into commercial successes, whether launching first-to-market products, or expanding existing markets through the introduction of new technologies.
With a team of over 200 engineers and scientists, CCL is able to offer solutions across a diverse range of industries including healthcare, telecoms, industrial and consumer products, automotive and aerospace.