From Lab to Industry: Awareness of the translational potential of Extracellular Vesicles by the ISEV Translation, Regulation and Advocacy Committee (ISEV-TRA).
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are critical mediators of cellular communication, with significant potential for disease diagnosis, therapeutics, and other industrial applications. However, translating EV-based innovations into real-world products faces substantial challenges, particularly concerning regulatory frameworks and scientific gaps. To address these issues, the International Society for Extracellular Vesicles (ISEV) established the Translation, Regulation, and Advocacy Committee (ISEV-TRA) to create an environment that facilitates the translation of EV research into practical societal applications. This reporet presents the results of the first survey conducted by the ISEV-TRA, assessing the degree to which EVs have been translated into society applications, awareness of EV potential, and the current use of EVs across various industry sectors. Respondents included individuals from Academia, Industry, and dual affiliation (Academia-Industry), provided an initial perspective on EV research and its translational status. The survey highlights the growing interest in EV-based products, suggesting that there is an important wave of efforts to develop these products. Several spin-outs created by academic researchers are focusing on EV-based products, a key trend in the field, while large companies are showing increasing interest in EV-based technologies. The expectations and suggestions for the newly established ISEV-TRA underscore the need for a unified approach to accelerate the translation of EV-based technologies into practical applications. The ISEV-TRA is well-positioned to play a key role by providing essential resources, organizing workshops, and promoting interdisciplinary collaboration, ultimately driving the commercialization of EV-based innovations.