reNEW releases its Annual Report 2024

Our global consortium focuses on translating stem cell science into therapies at its three research nodes in Copenhagen, Leiden, and Melbourne. We made significant strides in advancing its scientific research, enhancing engagement and communication efforts, and fostering collaborative partnerships to develop potential products during our third year of operation.

“The one word that captures 2024 for reNEW is progress,” said Professor Melissa H. Little, the CEO of reNEW. “The critical mass and increased opportunities created within reNEW has proven to be extremely powerful… Internal and external partnerships enable us to create more than the sums of the parts.”

Our researchers are currently involved in 52 targeted research projects engaging all three nodes in various constellations. They are also involved in four clinical trials.

Growing global visibility
reNEW is by now well known within the international stem cell communities.

“More than 120 reNEW staff participated at the ISSCR2024 meeting in Hamburg and six junior researchers at the European Summer School on Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, where reNEW also contributed to the teaching faculty,” Little said.

Workshops on organ-on-chip technology and pluripotent stem cell gene editing together with commercial partners were also hosted throughout 2024.

Groundbreaking stem cell research published by reNEW
In 2024, reNEW’s researchers published 105 publications, out of which three stood out for their groundbreaking contributions to their respective fields:

A world-first blood stem cell breakthrough led by Associate Professor Elizabeth Ng in collaboration with Professors Andrew Elefanty and Ed Stanley at reNEW Melbourne, was published in Nature Biotechnology. As for Professor Joshua Brickman and his group at reNEW Copenhagen, their research published in Cell revealed that the last cell specified in preimplantation development can remember how to make an embryo from scratch. A study from the lab of Professor Ton Rabelink at reNEW Leiden introduced a new perfusion method, extending the viability of donor kidneys outside the body for days, rather than hours, ultimately improving the outcome of kidney transplants. This method was highlighted in Nature Communications.

Valuable exchange of researchers continues
The highly successful international exchange program between our three nodes launched in 2022 continued. Since then, reNEW has supported 68 exchanges, totaling 1,088 days. These stays allow participants to learn new techniques, transfer technologies within and between teams, and attend workshops and conferences.

We are confident that changing the incentives around research will drive outcomes. You can read more about our exciting journey in our Annual Report 2024 found here.

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