South Korea Establishes iPSC Cell Bank for Artificial Blood Research

South Korea has established a clinical-grade induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) master cell bank to support the development of artificial blood and other cell therapies, according to reporting in Seoul Economic Daily.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, through the Korea National Institute of Health, is leading the effort. The bank is a key outcome of a government project on cell-based artificial blood manufacturing.

Officials said they developed the bank under good manufacturing practice conditions and established 18 clinical-grade iPSC lines, including one master cell bank intended for clinical use. The resource aims to reduce development time and cost barriers in early-stage research and accelerate the path to clinical trials.