China finalizes stem cell guidance

China finalized draft guidance released earlier this year regulating experimental stem cell research, according to state-run newspaper China Daily. The new policy, which is the first of its kind in China, will require studies involving stem cells to be conducted at Class IIIa hospitals with good clinical practices (GCP) certification.

Chen Yang, a partner at Sidley Austin LLP, told BioCentury CFDA and China's National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC) issued the guidance jointly. Yang said CFDA had previously regulated stem cell products that were part of drug applications, but not other stem cell research. ...