The Canadian Stem Cell Network

1
The Canadian Stem Cell Network

• Michael A. Rudnicki, Ph.D.
• Scientific Director
• Presentation to the
• California Institute for Regenerative Medicine

2
Stem Cell Pioneers, SCN Members Till McCulloch
3
Canada has a Workable Regulatory Framework

• CIHR guidelines regulate all research in publicly
  funded institutions
• Allow research on stem cells derived from surplus
  IVF embryos
• Does not permit creation of embryos for research,
  or cloning
• An Act Respecting Assisted Human Reproduction
• Primarily regulates activities of IVF clinics
• As an extension, regulates conditions under which
  embryos may be donated for stem cell research
• Provisions reflect CIHR guidelines
• Consistently 75 public support for hESC
  research

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Networks of Centres of ExcellenceMission
Statement (1989)

• To mobilize Canadas research talent in the
  academic, private and public sectors and apply it
  to the task of developing the economy and
  improving the quality of life of Canadians

• Program Criteria
• Excellence of the Research Program
• Development of Highly Qualified Personnel
• Networking and Partnerships
• Knowledge and Technology Exchange and
  Exploitation
• Management of the Network

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Stem Cell Network

• The Stem Cell Network was established in 2001
  with funding from the Network of Centres of
  Excellence, a Canadian Federal Agency (37
  million over 7 years)

• 24 Universities Hospitals
• 74 Research Groups,,
• 18 Companies,
• 8 Government Departments Agencies
• 28 Other Groups (NGOs, International Partners)

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Stem Cell Network Management Team
F. Gleeson Chair Board of Directors
M. Rudnicki Scientific Director
J. Rossant Deputy Scientific Director
D. Lyall Executive Director
J. Galipeau Therapeutic applications
T. Caufield Ethics and Regulatory issues
J. Piret Stem cell bioengineering
S. Weiss Stem cell biology
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Mission

• The mission of the Stem Cell Network is to be a
  catalyst for realising the full potential of stem
  cell research for Canadians.

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Approach

• The Network will achieve this by working with
  its partners to
• Implement an innovative and collaborative
  research program that will develop key enabling
  technologies
• Attract, train and retain top stem cell
  researchers and entrepreneurs for Canada
• Translate research outcomes into clinical
  applications and commercial products
• Advance stem cell research under an ethical and
  legal framework that has widespread public
  support.

9
Management ofResearch Program

• Clear role for RMC in monitoring research
  progress biannual reviews
• Integrated work plans will ensure goal-directed
  research towards specific milestones and
  deliverables.
• All Project Leaders will be supported by project
  managers (dedicated and shared) to ensure that
  milestones and deliverables will be met on time
  and on budget.
• Partnership commitments will be actively secured
  through central support of Project leaders.

10
Research Strategy

• The Stem Cell Network has defined 4 Strategic
  Programs that will have high impact commercial,
  clinical, and social outcomes.
• Stem Cell Applications Cellular Therapy
• Stem Cell Therapeutics Drug Discovery
• Tools, Reagents Diagnostics
• Stem Cells Public Policy
• The Stem Cell Network funds Core and Catalyst
  research projects to address important research
  problems within the 4 Strategic Programs.

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Strategic Planning Workshop 20/12/04
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Strategic Program Overview
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Core Projects Review Process
RFA 2/2/05
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Core Projects Review Process
LOI 28/3/05
Feedback Workshops Teleconferences
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Core Projects Review Process
Review 22/6/05
Proposal Submission 29/5/05
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International Scientific Review Panel

• Baetge, Edward Industry
• CyThera Inc.
• Greely, Henry ELSI
• Stanford Law of School
• Lemischka, Ihor Cell biologist
• Princeton University
• Miller, William Bioengineer
• Northwestern University
• Schneider, Michael Clinician
• Baylor College of Medicine
• Moreno, Jonathan ELSI
• University of Virginia
• Reichardt, Louis Neuroscientist

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Review Criteria

• Relevance to a SCN strategic program
• Research excellence
• Project Management
• Networking Partnerships
• Knowledge Exchange Technology Transfer
• Highly Qualified Personnel

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Core Projects Review Process
Recommendation
Rankings Advice
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Core Projects Review Process
Board Approval 25/7/05
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Core Projects Ongoing Review
Bi-annual Progress Reports
Feedback Budget Revisions
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12 Core Project Leaders
Andrade Gene expression
Caulfield ELSI
Galipeau CARENet
Hassell HTS Cancer
Mendez Parkinsons
Keiffer HTS Diabetes
Lillicrap Hemophilia
Jervis Cell Tracking
Morshead Stroke
Piret hESC
Rossi Skeletal Muscle
Wallace Retina Cornea
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12 Core Research Projects
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SCN Research Portfolio
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16M in Research Funding
Stem Cell Public Policy 1M
Tools, reagents Diagnostics 4,2M
Stem Cell Applications Cellular Therapy 8,5M
Stem Cell Therapeutics Drug Discovery 3.3 M
SCN investment
Partners investment
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How SCN promotes commercialization

• Research program emphasizing
• clinically/commercially relevant research
• collaborative projects to stimulate/share IP
• Developed enabling mechanisms
• IP Toolkit
• IP protection fund and catalyst grants
• Enhanced capacity to exploit IP, through
• Commercial partnerships/research contracts
• Aggregate Therapeutics Inc.

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IP Toolkit

• Option Agreement template
• License Agreement template
• Non-Disclosure Agreement template
• Mutual Non-Disclosure Agreement template
• Material Transfer Agreement
• Services Agreement
• Collaborative Research Agreement

Angus Livingstone Managing Director, UBC
TTO Chair, SCN TTO Working Group
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• Owned by 16 leading Canadian academic
  institutions and hospitals and 37 leading stem
  cell researchers
• Right of first look at all publicly funded
  research
• Can act as IP integrator across institutions no
  need to deal with multiple parties
• Strong management team with biotech and pharma
  experience

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-thank you-

• To contact Michael Rudnicki
• E-mail mrudnicki_at_ohri.ca
• Tel [phone]
• Fax [phone]
• Web www.stemcellnetwork.ca