FDA examines stem cell medicines

The Food and Drug Administration said Tuesday it is investigating stem cell-based medicines to make sure they are safe.

The FDA pointed to a growing interest in regenerative medicines, which can be used to produce cartilage, bone, and even fat, and help patients more readily recover from health conditions.

“For this reason, the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research assembled seven of its laboratories into a consortium to develop tests and techniques that will help answer these types of questions as these products move through the development process,” the FDA wrote.

This comes the same day that the FDA approved a new stem cell-based therapy from BioTime.

“Ensuring the safety of effective regenerative medicine products can be challenging,” the FDA wrote.