Stem cell research is one of the areas in the medical sector that is undergoing immense expansion. One-third of the world’s stem cell research programmes are to be found in Sweden and more than half of these are in Gothenburg on the west coast of Sweden. Gothenburg is also the home of distinguished research facilities and world-leading companies such as AstraZeneca, Cellartis and Vitrolife.

Bearing this in mind GöteborgBIO is arranging an international stem cell seminar entitled “Stem Cells in Therapy – Advantage Gothenburg”.

The region’s position and future development -The seminar will spotlight the region’s position in the sphere of stem cell research in an international perspective, and underscore the opportunities available as well as the scope for future development in this area, with special focus on results achieved and potential for cooperation.

The programme will take up European, national, scientific and industrial perspectives presented by speakers who are leading international opinion-shapers.

Stem cells – an area offering considerable potential - The keynote speaker is Sir Ian Wilmut, the renowned British embryologist, who is perhaps best known for having cloned Dolly the sheep in 1996. He is currently Director of the Centre for Regenerative Medicine at the University of Edinburgh. His presentation entitled “Stem Cells for Development of New Therapies – An Area of Immense Potential” will focus on the development opportunities presented by stem cells.

Future paths discussed in panel debate -The programme will end with a discussion on future development possibilities for Gothenburg’s biomedical cluster. The panel brings together participants from the worlds of industry & commerce, academia, the health-care industry and various public-service organisations.

The presentations will be held in English while the subsequent panel discussions will be held in Swedish.

 More information and registration via www.goteborgbio.se (see the regional life science calendar)

Seminar title: “Stem Cell Therapy – Advantage Gothenburg”

Time: Wednesday December 1, 2010, 13.00 – 19.00
Place: Wallenberg Conference Centre, Medicinaregatan 20A, Gothenburg, Sweden

Press contacts:

Eva-Carin Tengberg, Assistant Director, GöteborgBIO, eva-carin.tengberg@goteborgbio.se,

phone + 46 (0)708 69 42 32

Gunilla Ekholtz, Head of Public Relations, GöteborgBIO, gunilla.ekholtz@goteborgbio.se,

phone + 46 (0)766 45 29 19 or +­­­­­­­­­­­ 46 (0)727 42 17 74

Helene Jaktling, Public Relations Officer, GöteborgBIO, helene.jaktling@goteborgbio.se,

phone + 46 (0)730 66 09 22

Picture: Professor Sir Ian Wilmut