National University Ireland Galway and Center for Regenerative Medicine

The Mayo Clinic Center for Regenerative Medicine and colleagues at the National University Ireland Galway have signed a formal memorandum of understanding (MOU) to pave the way for joint clinical trials using regenerative therapies.

The MOU follows years of close collaboration with NUI Galway’s Regenerative Medicine Institute (REMEDI) and the Network of Excellence for Functional Biomaterials (NFB) and will focus on adult stem cell therapy, gene therapy, biomaterials and biomedical engineering. Furthermore, the agreement facilitates ongoing student and staff exchange between Galway and the United States.

Anthony Windebank, M.D., (N 1981, 1982) deputy director for Discovery, Mayo Clinic Center for Regenerative Medicine, and Professor Timothy O’Brien, (ENDO 1993) director of the REMEDI, were among those present at the signing in Galway.

“Both the National University Ireland Galway and the Mayo Clinic Center for Regenerative Medicine have laboratories which are compliant with current good manufacturing practice (GMP) regulations as it applies to cell manufacturing,” says Professor O’Brien. “This allows us to initiate joint trials of regenerative therapies that will produce identical cell products.”

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency are making efforts to streamline and facilitate introduction of new therapies on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. Carrying out these approval processes and completing joint studies will facilitate more rapid introduction of new therapies for patients.

“There have been many developments in stem cell technologies over the years, and we are getting to the point of bringing this new knowledge and technology to the patients,” adds Dr. Windebank. “This is a unique collaboration which emphasizes the translation of laboratory discoveries into regenerative medicine therapies for patients.”

Welcoming the agreement, Andre Terzic, M.D., Ph.D., (CV 1992) says, “Mayo Clinic has prioritized the development of regenerative medicine clinical applications as a critical strategy for meeting the future needs of patients. Sharing experience through international collaborations fosters advances in this emerging field of science and medicine” Dr. Andre Terzic is the Michael S. and Mary Sue Shannon Family Director, Center for Regenerative Medicine, and Marriott Family Professor of Cardiovascular Diseases Research at Mayo Clinic.

The signing comes on top of the recent announcement of a new $16 million agreement between Mayo Clinic and Enterprise Ireland to advance novel medical technologies originating from Mayo Clinic with the aim of creating several high-value medical technology spinoff companies.