UCSF's Kriegstein Participates in Roundtable with Prime Minister Tony Blair

UCSF's Arnold Kriegstein, MD, PhD, director of the UCSF Institute for Regeneration Medicine, participated in a small roundtable lunch meeting yesterday at Genentech Inc. with biotechnology leaders from the region and British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Kriegstein, the only academic at the gathering, was seated across the table from Blair, who he said was engaged, lively and led the meeting himself. "He wasn't there with policy advisers," says Kriegstein. "He was accompanied by Martin Uden, Consul General, and members of the delegation, but he directed the meeting - he asked the questions, made comments and took notes. He was very much in charge." Blair asked the panelists what Britain and he, himself, could do to foster advances in biotechnology, and Britain's role in it, regarding such areas as stem cell research, the neurosciences, oncology, infectious diseases, vaccines and monoclonal antibodies. He was particularly interested in stem cell research, says Kriegstein. "He wanted to know what he could do to support the eventual commercialization of products from stem cell research," says Kriegstein. And Blair asked Kriegstein about the potential benefits and limitations of stem cell research. Kriegstein outlined the broad scope of ongoing research at UCSF and other academic institutions, particularly in California, and emphasized that stem cell research is still at a very early stage. Arthur Levinson, PhD, the CEO of Genentech, noted that the present is just the right time for industry to become involved in order to make an impact, says Kriegstein. Panelist Zach Hall, PhD, president of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), discussed the leadership role assumed by the state of California in driving stem cell research forward through the creation of CIRM, says Kriegstein. CIRM is administering the $3 billion in general obligation bonds for stem cell research authorized by voters with the passage of Proposition 71 in November 2004. The biotechnology industry was represented by leaders from Amylin Pharmaceuticals Inc., Cell Genesys Inc., Entelos Inc., Gilead Sciences Inc., Genentech, PDL BioPharma Inc. and StemCells Inc. Blair asked what areas, other than health care, biotechnology could impact in the future. The biotechnology panelists said great growth could be expected in biofuels (alternatives to gasoline), genetically engineered foods to increase the food supply in the developing world, and strategies for combating pollution and addressing environmental problems more generally. "Many ideas were put on the table," says Kriegstein. "It was a worthwhile exchange, and a memorable time." For more information about the UCSF Institute for Regeneration Medicine, visit the website. Photo/Christine Jegan