By Alan Colman, Ph.D., M.A.

In the last ten years, there has been a significant expansion worldwide in the number of scientists and funding going into medical research involving stem cells. This has generated a wealth of new, sometimes remarkable information, but in terms of a growing roster of new therapies, progress has been disappointing. Remarkably, many stakeholders continue to show great patience, which is now aligned with a more conservative but sensible prognosis about future progress on the part of the scientific community. Nevertheless, it will be essential over the next ten years to deliver on the vision and the investment. Singapore, as a major investor in relation to its size, has created a wonderful environment to pursue stem cell science. Like other stakeholders, it now expects to see this and other elements of the biomedical sector repay the premium.