Coffman Proposal on Stem Cell Research in 21st Century Cures Act

Press Release

U.S. Representative Mike Coffman (CO-06) today lauded the final passage of the 21st Century Cures Act noting that the legislation added language to advance regenerative medicine, better known as stem cell research, taken from a bill previously introduced by Coffman. Advances in stem cell research have the potential of revolutionizing medicine by taking a patient's own stem cells, harvesting those cells, and injecting them back into the patient in order to regrow tissue or organs.

In March, Coffman introduced the Reliable and Effective Growth for Regenerative Health Options (REGROW) Act. Key elements of this bipartisan, bicameral bill, including updated FDA guidance and regulations as well as requiring FDA to work with stakeholders to establish scientific standards for regenerative medical treatments, for the purpose of accelerating clinical trials, were incorporated into the final version of 21st Century Cures.

"As someone who has long advocated for the increased use and availability of regenerative medical treatments, I am pleased that some of the key requirements for accelerating the use of regenerative medicine have been included in 21st Century Cures," Coffman continued. "The development of regenerative medical treatments is one of the most exciting aspects of modern medicine. These products, developed from adult stem cells, show potential to fully restore or establish normal function in damaged human cells, tissues, or organs. Fighting and defeating diseases is not a partisan issue. It's an issue we can all support together."

Coffman worked extensively with the Charles C. Gates Center for Regenerative Medicine to ensure regenerative medicine's inclusion in 21st Century Cures. Located in Aurora, Colorado, the Gates Center is focused on the research and development of regenerative medical treatments with the intent to deliver these groundbreaking treatments to patients as soon as possible.

"We at the Gates Center for Regenerative Medicine are heartened by today's passage of the 21st Century Cures bill--specifically the inclusion of provisions that will help provide an accelerated regulatory pathway for regenerative therapies," said Dennis Roop, Ph.D., Director Gates Center for Regenerative Medicine. "We want to thank Congressman Mike Coffman and his staff, in particular, whose unremitting and diligent efforts in conjunction with House and Senate colleagues and others helped ensure that regenerative medicine was addressed and included in this legislation. We hope this will lead to groundbreaking therapies in this promising field and allow the United States to compete on an international scale in developing therapies for those with as yet unmet medical needs."

Source