Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
a training course in particular reprogramming techniques for people
new to iPSC work (
http://www.stemgent.com
). There are two
options for the beginners course, with students able to choose
between working with mouse or human tissues. StemGent also offer
an advanced course that focuses on specific aspects of reprogramming
in mouse models (
http://www.stemgent.com
). The StemGent Human
iPS Cell Training Course comprises four days of practical and
theoretical work (
http://www.stemgent.com
). The learning outcomes
cover evaluating and selecting systems of reprogramming, laboratory
skills, experience with iPSCs and identifying, isolating, culturing and
testing iPSCs (
http://www.stemgent.com
).
Cellular Dynamics International and StemGent are only two
examples of companies offering training programmes in iPSCs.
Competition in this market can be expected to grow in the short
term, although there must be a limit to how many people need to be
trained in iPSC techniques. The comparative simplicity of producing
iPSCs has produced substantial outputs in a short space of time, so
it might be expected that an emerging competition for market share
will keep costs down while at the same time still providing a source
of income for companies with the facilities to provide this service.
iPSC training programmes like these thus have all the hallmarks
of a successful business model for companies already engaged in
developing products for this new industry (Magretta, 2002;
Rasmussen, 2010). Adding an in-house training programme to the
product repertoire of the company is a low-cost strategy for creating
additional value out of the resources in the laboratory. The facilities
are already there for the creation of the core product lines so there
is no additional infrastructure cost to the company. The skill set is
also already there in the employees who make the iPSCs. Combining
the two and offering a new product is thus an excellent way of
generating income in the short term.
A good business strategy is also about having insight into what
kinds of products might be created and where demand for them
might lie (Magretta, 2002). Understanding the motivations of the key
players in the supply chain is an important component to building a
successful business strategy (Magretta, 2002). From this point of
view, Cellular Dynamics International and StemGent can be considered
