The global market for stem cell-based drugs is expected to reach US$12.5 billion in 2019 on strong demand from people suffering from incurable diseases, the head of a local drug firm said Tuesday. Kim Hyun-soo, CEO of FCB Twelve Co., which is expected to receive government permission to market the world\'s first stem-cell drug in early July, said in a press conference that the market is expected to grow rapidly in the coming years, fueled by demand from patients.