Biotechnology and health: Issues and perspectives

Cell therapy is a technological breakthrough in medicine. It is essential in many fields, including oncology with CAR-Ts or in regenerative medicine for cardiovascular diseases, diabetes or musculoskeletal conditions with mesenchymal stromal cells. These therapeutic cells are called Advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs) and include all processes including cells manipulated to obtain reprogramming (iPS), to induce gene expression or, by genome editing, to modify the expression of a gene. Finally, it is essential to develop new 3D printable cellular supports. These biomaterials in the form of bio-inks can be printed and take the desired shape of the target tissue before being colonized by the cellular elements necessary for their biological functions and thus replacing the failing organ. All these new technologies generate innovation and the development of the biomedicines of tomorrow. The creation of a national sector around biotechnologies and access to industrial bio-production platforms is essential if we wish to control access to these treatments and their costs. Finally, it is essential to have recourse to highly qualified health personnel for the handling, administration, and monitoring of biomedicines in our hospitals. These new biotherapies will profoundly modify the care of patients in all areas, change medical practices but with a considerable societal impact. Thus, the development and clinical research on cellular biotherapies constitute essential challenges in health but with a significant ethical, societal, and economic impact for Europe. (c) 2022 l'Academie nationale de medecine. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.