Pluripotent stem-cell-derived therapies in clinical trial: A 2025 update.

Since the first derivation of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) 27 years ago, technologies to control their differentiation and manufacturing have advanced immensely, enabling increasing numbers of clinical trials with hPSC-derived products. Here, we revew the landscape of interventional hPSC trials worldwide, highlighting available data on clinical safety and efficacy. As of December 2024, we identify 116 clinical trials with regulatory approval, testing 83 hPSC products.

Clinically compliant cryopreservation of differentiated retinal pigment epithelial cells.

Background Aims: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of blindness in elderly patients within developed countries, affecting more than 190 million worldwide. In AMD, the retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cell layer progressively degenerates, resulting in subsequent loss of photoreceptors and ultimately vision. There is currently no cure for AMD, but therapeutic strategies targeting the complement system are being developed to slow the progression of the disease.

Karolinska Institutet Human Embryonic Stem Cell Bank.

The Karolinska Institutet Human Embryonic Stem Cell Bank (KI Stem Cell Bank) was established at KI, Stockholm, Sweden, when the first human embryonic stem cell (hESC) line was derived by Professor Hovatta and colleagues in 2002. Since then, the bank has grown to include 60 hESC lines. From the very beginning the aim of the bank has been derivation of hESC lines suitable for clinical use.

Derivation of FSHD1 affected human embryonic stem cell line Genea050.

The Genea050 human embryonic stem cell line was derived from a donated, fully commercially consented ART blastocyst, carrying a deletion in 4q35 with only 5 D4Z4 repeats by PGD linkage analysis, indicative of FSHD1. Following ICM outgrowth on inactivated human feeders, karyotype was confirmed as 46, XY and STR analysis demonstrated a male Allele pattern. The hESC line had pluripotent cell morphology, 92% of cells expressed Nanog, 97% Oct4, 79% Tra1-60 and 99% SSEA4, gave a Pluritest Pluripotency score of 25.

Derivation of DM1 affected human embryonic stem cell line Genea067.

The Genea067 human embryonic stem cell line was derived from a donated, fully commercially consented ART blastocyst, carrying expansion of CTG repeats in the DMPK gene, indicative of Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1 (DM1). Following ICM outgrowth on inactivated human feeders, karyotype was confirmed as 46, XY and STR analysis demonstrated a male Allele pattern. The hESC line had pluripotent cell morphology, 85% of cells expressed Nanog, 97% Oct4, 73% Tra1-60 and 98% SSEA4 and gave a Pluritest Pluripotency score of 25.