Press Release Source: State Government of Victoria, Australia Victoria Launches New Human Embryonic Stem Cell Line & Drives International Stem Cell Network Sunday June 19, 12:00 pm ET MELBOURNE, Australia and PHILADELPHIA, June 19 /PRNewswire/ -- A second human embryonic stem cell line to be made available to researchers worldwide without commercial or intellectual property restraints was announced by the Victorian Premier, Steve Bracks, at the global biotechnology conference BIO 2005 in Philadelphia today. MEL-2 is the second of six lines to be developed and distributed over the next two years by Stem Cell Sciences Limited (SCS), the Australian Stem Cell Centre (ASCC) and Melbourne IVF. Last year saw the launch of MEL-1, one of the world's first new human embryonic stem cell lines without commercial or intellectual property restraints, which was accepted for deposition into the UK Stem Cell Bank. "The stem cell lines are being made available to researchers without encumbrances to fast track research into treatments for diseases such as Parkinson's and diabetes," Mr Bracks said. Stem cells are of particular significance to researchers because of their ability to self-renew and to develop into any type of specialised cell in the body. Although US authorities agreed in 2001 to approve 78 human embryonic stem cell lines for federally funded research, the number of usable lines has now dropped to less than 20. And while other countries have developed lines for international research, many have extensive commercial restraints that may hinder the development of stem cell-related treatments. "Today's announcement clearly places Victoria at the leading edge of stem- cell sciences," Mr Bracks said. Minister for Innovation, John Brumby, also used the occasion to announce that Australia will take the lead on a new international stem cell research 'network of networks' thanks to $200,000 in funding from the State Government of Victoria. "The International Consortium of Stem Cell Networks aims to unify international efforts to accelerate the delivery of the therapeutic benefits of stem cell research," Mr Brumby said. The Victorian Government is providing the funding to establish a Secretariat for the Consortium at the Australian Stem Cell Centre in Melbourne. "Most of the world's major networks will participate including the US National Institutes of Health, the International Society for Stem Cell Research, and the Stem Cell Networks in Canada, Scotland, North Rhine, Norway and Israel. "This initiative ensures that Australia continues to play a key role in influencing international stem cell research decisions where we are acknowledged as a world leader," he said. BACKGROUND Australia is currently undertaking a review of existing stem cell related legislation, while the US Congress recently voted on a Bill to loosen restrictions on stem cell research. Stem Cell Roundtable at BIO 2005 The Victorian Government has undertaken important stem cell meetings at BIO 2005 culminating in a crucial round-table meeting on Sunday 19 June with Australian State Premiers Bracks, Beattie, and Rann and Victoria's Minister for Innovation, John Brumby and Victorian Minister for Health, Brownyn Pike with: -- Dr Hugh Niall, CEO from the Australian Stem Cell Centre (ASCC); -- Kirk Kleinschmidt, Director of Legislation and Research Policy, California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, a US$3 billion stem cell research initiative; -- Dr James Battey, head the National Institutes of Health's taskforce on stem cell research; and -- Professor Ron McKay, a senior investigator at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. The round table was held to determine strategies to ensure that US and Australian governments work towards common, transparent and agreed regulations for stem cell research. Melbourne, Australia - A Hub for Stem Cell Research Alan Trounson and Martin Pera's lab at Monash University was one of three international sites to discover human embryonic stem cells in 1998. Since then, the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments have supported the development of a world class stem cell hub in Melbourne with the establishment of the Australian Stem Cell Centre (ASCC) as its focal point. Melbourne's position at the forefront of international stem cell research was cemented in February 2005 with the opening of the world's largest regenerative research facilities. Based at Monash University, the Major National Research Facility (MNRF) hosts the ASCC's stem cell bank which will characterise, bank and distribute new Australian embryonic stem cell lines to Australian and eventually international collaborators. It will also bank stem cell lines received on a reciprocal basis from overseas groups. In a world-first MEL-1, a human embryonic stem cell line developed in Melbourne by Stem Cell Sciences Limited, the ASCC and Melbourne IVF, was made available to researchers worldwide free of IP or commercial encumbrances. The stem cell line has been accepted for deposition in the UK Stem Cell Bank and will be available from the MNRF. MEL-1 will raise Victoria's profile as an international player in stem cell research and will fast track stem cell research globally. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------- Source: State Government of Victoria, Australia http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050619/nysu009.html?.v=13 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn