Can we assure quality without stifling innovation?

The emergence of regenerative medicine raises new questions about the best ways to ensure the safety and efficacy of stem cell therapies for patients. The Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT) believes minimum requirements for cellular therapy for regenerative medicine will promote patient safety, protect the research environment, and aid in the swift advancement of regenerative therapies from bench to bedside. The standards development process has demonstrated that consensus on minimum requirements advances the field. FACT's accreditation process and newly established "Common Standards for Cellular Therapies" can help meet unmet needs in regenerative medicine that will drive commercialization of new cell therapies.