Shaping the Future of Regenerative Medicine

In November, voters approved a new $5.5 billion bond measure that extends the life of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine. The measure passed with far less fanfare than the original proposition that established the institute in the midst of a national controversy over embryonic stem cell research. With the passage of the new measure, the institute is expanding its work in emerging areas of regenerative medicine including cell and gene therapies and increasing its focus on translational research and clinical development. We spoke to Jonathan Thomas, chairman of the Independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee, which oversees the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, about the progress CIRM has made to date, what the new funding will enable, and how the institute hopes to help shape the future of regenerative medicine.