Stemcells

Stempeutics Launches its Second State-of-the-art Lab

The Group will open a centre in Malaysia soon

Stempeutics Research Private Limited, a Bangalore based stem cells company is expanding its footprints both nationally and internationally. Backed by Rs 50 crore funding from Manipal Education and Medical Group (MEMG), Stempeutics focuses on research, therapeutics and therapy in the field of regenerative medicine. It has inaugurated its second stem cell research and therapeutics facility at the Manipal University campus. The state-of-the-art facility located at Shirdi Sai Baba Cancer Hospital is conceived to further leverage the research and clinical experience gained and address the needs of patients for conditions like dilated cardio- myopathy, end-stage liver disease and osteoarthritis. The first lab was established in Bangalore in 2006. Stempeutics manufacturing facility at Manipal is cGMP (current Good Manufacturing Practice) compliant. The facility is spread across 5000 sq ft. It has been designed to meet the future plan of accreditation requirements of the USA Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT) and the manufacturing process will adhere to current Good Tissue Practice (cGTP). Current focus is on bone marrow derived adult mesenchymal stem cells. Initial emphasis is on autologous cell therapies - where the bone marrow is aspirated from the patient, stem cells are isolated and upscaled and then injected back to the patient. So far, the Bangalore facility has conducted pilot studies on 100 plus patients covering various diseases. The company aims to develop allogenic stem cell therapy in the near future so as to make this therapy more affordable, readily available off the shelf and also to be used in critical conditions. Stempeutics is the first company to employ a global hybrid model whereby it offers both autologous and allogenic stem cell therapy for various diseases. Stempeutics has made a strategic move to operate in Malaysia. The company was awarded the BioNexus status by Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation. It is the first international company to be awarded with BioNexus status in the field of stem cells research and therapeutics. Dr Ramdas Pai, Chancellor, Manipal University said, "Stem cell therapy is showing promising results for various diseases and it is currently used where the conventional therapies could not cure the disease. Keeping in mind the overall disease burden of various medical conditions and the potential for stem cell therapy globally, we are setting up our third lab at Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. Malaysia Lab will be operational in August 2008. With the expertise of the clinicians at Kasturba Medical College at Manipal and Mangalore, we will stand to gain and realise the clinical value of stem cells." Stempeutics has filed six patents in India and five international patents. sBN Manohar, President, Stempeutics Research said, "While the initial foray of Stempeutics is in bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells, Stempeutics is investing heavily on its R&D to bring out some innovative products (like tailor made progenitor cells) in the near future based on adult stem cells. It is also investing money on its long-term goal of leveraging human embryonic stem cells for therapeutics purpose. Towards this goal Stempeutics will work closely with Manipal Assisted Reproduction Center in Kasturba Hospital for establishing human embryonic stem cells lines for advanced research. We want to become an undisputed leader in the stem cells area in this part of the world."

EH News Bureau