Patenting of Stem Cells and Processes Involving Stem Cells According to the Rules of the European Patent Convention

摘要

STEM CELLS ARE UNDIFFERBNTIATED CELLS that Can divide over a long period of time regardless of their origin and therefore can self-renew, without thereby differentiating, but can also differentiate into specialized cells after appropriate stimulation, On the basis of these properties, it is hoped that sooner or later, it will be possible to use human stem cells for treatment of diseases caused by defective or inadequate functioning of certain cells. The best-known examples of such diseases are Parkin son's, juvenile diabetes, and myocardial diseases. In 2001, The Han-delsblatt had estimated the economic potential of human stem cells at US360 billion dollar. Because more potential fields of use continue to be added; for example, screening and testing of active substances, the actual economic potential is probably now far higher.