Regenerative medicine is an exciting sector that’s still largely unknown to the public.

As defined by the Medical Research Council, ‘regenerative medicine is an interdisciplinary field that seeks to develop the science and tools that can help repair or replace damaged or diseased human cells or tissues to restore normal function’.

The liver is the only organ in the human body capable of regenerating itself spontaneously – even after serious injury – but in the future, any part of the human body will be capable of doing so.

Our own cells will also be able to treat and cure diseases and conditions of the blood and immune system, as well as restore the blood system after treatments for specific cancers.

Advances in science and greater investment are pushing the boundaries of regenerative medicine. Once only imaginable in science fiction, the latest applications include engineered skin tissue to treat burns victims, custom-grown bones for implants and joint replacements, personalised dietary treatments using gut bacteria and just recently, the world’s first 3D vascularised engineered heart was created using a patient’s own cells and biological materials.

However, the use of living cells as therapies presents real and difficult-to-solve supply chain challenges which need to be overcome before regenerative medicine can truly deliver on its curative promises.

Understanding the potential of regenerative medicine

Regenerative medicine is one of, if not the most, exciting advancements in modern science which has far-reaching benefits for big pharma, healthcare systems and patient outcomes.