After four years as Chairman of the East of England Stem Cell Network, Dr Mary Archer is handing over the reins to Dr Hermann Hauser, one of Cambridge’s best known entrepreneurs and founder of the Cambridge-based VC firm Amadeus Capital Partners.

Dr Archer, who is Chairman of Addenbrooke’s Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, has steered the Network from a government funded initiative in 2004 to a private, not-for-profit company with over 500 members. Managed on a part-time basis by ERBI’s Business Development Director Jeanette Walker, EESCN’s aim is to ensure that the East of England prospers in terms of patient benefit and economic output from stem cell science.

“Whilst this Region is recognised as a global centre of excellence in developmental and stem cell biology, EESCN’s ambition is for the cluster around Cambridge to play a major role in the translation of the fundamental science into routine patient treatments” explained Dr Archer, adding that a number of significant hurdles must be overcome if the Region is to realise this ambition. “For example, in addition to the scientific challenges, there is an urgent need for the industry to devise innovative business and investment models – the traditional biotech model doesn’t work for stem cell therapies – as well as developing novel manufacturing processes and equipment, defining clear regulatory pathways to market, and ensuring that the appropriate IP protection is in place to enable the commercialisation of the science”

Feedback from a recent EESCN workshop that explored the future of the stem cell sector in and around Cambridge suggests that much of the expertise that is needed to overcome these challenges already exists within the Cambridge region. The problem, according to Dr Archer, is that the expertise is dispersed throughout the various academic departments, research institutes, hospitals, companies and professional advisers. “Groups of experts tend to work in isolation, focussing their attention in their own area of expertise, unaware of the wealth of knowledge available in the area and so missing out on synergistic collaborations. So that’s where EESCN comes in - we provide a platform for people from all these different disciplines and backgrounds to meet, explore collaborations, exchange ideas, and share know-how as well as contacts and best-practice”.

The Directors of the Network believe that Dr Hauser, with his background both as an entrepreneur and as an investor, is the right person to steer EESCN through this exciting phase in the life of the Network. Commenting on his new appointment, Hauser said “We need to build on EESCN’s successful track record so that the academics, business executives, clinicians, policy influencers and the general public all pull together to secure the Region’s future in this challenging and fast-growing sector”.

Dr Archer confirmed that she intends to remain active in the Network as a member of the Steering Group. Alongside the new chairman, the Board of EESCN has expanded the breadth of its expertise through the appointment of Dr Richard Archer as a Director.  Richard brings considerable experience in the manufacturing sector.