The International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) today announces the launch of its new ISSCR CDMO Directory , a web-based screening resource designed to help researchers identify contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs) with capabilities relevant to advancing stem cell research toward clinical applications.
Available to the ISSCR’s nearly 5,000 members worldwide, the directory provides a centralized resource for exploring manufacturing capabilities of potential partners. The initiative reflects the Society’s strategic commitment to strengthening clinical readiness and providing researchers with practical tools and resources to help navigate the complex path from scientific discovery to clinical translation.
Developed under the leadership of the ISSCR Manufacturing, Clinical Translation, and Regulatory (MCTR) Committee, the directory addresses an important challenge facing researchers as they move toward clinical development including identifying manufacturing organizations with the expertise, infrastructure, and capabilities aligned with their specific needs. CDMOs interested in participating may submit their information through the ISSCR CDMO questionnaire .
“Moving promising stem cell research toward clinical applications requires researchers to navigate an increasingly complex manufacturing landscape,” said Ricardo Baptista, Ph.D., co-chair of the ISSCR working group leading the project. “The CDMO Directory provides a practical starting point for understanding available manufacturing capabilities and identifying organizations that may be appropriate partners. By making this information more accessible, we hope to help researchers make informed decisions as they prepare for the next stages of translation.”
Through the directory, ISSCR members can search and filter participating CDMOs based on capability criteria and review detailed organizational profiles for potential manufacturing partners. Each profile is developed from information submitted by the participating organization, including relevant capabilities.
The resource is designed to facilitate initial screening and direct engagement rather than provide formal evaluations or recommendations. A companion guidance document, currently in development, will offer additional considerations to help researchers approach the process of selecting a CDMO.
“Supporting clinical readiness means ensuring that researchers have access not only to scientific and regulatory guidance, but also to resources that help them address the practical challenges of translating their discoveries,” said Zoe Hewitt, Ph.D., co-chair of the ISSCR working group leading the project. “This directory is an important addition to the ISSCR’s efforts to bridge research and clinical development, helping our international community better understand the manufacturing landscape and begin meaningful conversations with potential partners.”
The CDMO Directory is an informational resource. All organizational profiles are self-reported, and the ISSCR does not independently verify, rank, assess, or endorse participating organizations. Inclusion does not constitute an ISSCR recommendation, and the directory is not a paid advertising or placement platform. Member privacy is maintained, with inquiries initiated directly by researchers.
About ISSCR
Across more than 80 countries, the International Society for Stem Cell Research ( @ISSCR ) is the preeminent global, cross-disciplinary, science-based organization dedicated to advancing stem cell research and its translation to medicine.