Over the decade, stem cell research has emerged as a new and innovative field in the life sciences. These cells have become prominent as novel candidates for medical therapies with a potential to change the way therapy happens in human body.
Stem cells are found in most, if not all, multi-cellular organisms. These cells are self renewable and essentially the building blocks of human body and is pluripotent (cells can form any cell types-over 200). Some of the much talked about indications for stem cell technology include replaceable tissues/organs, repair of defective cell types, acute myocardial infarction, stroke, spinal cord injury, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, bone marrow transplants and skin grafts resulting from severe burns.
Stem cell research was started way back in 1954 as John Enders received a Nobel Prize in Medicine for growing polio virus in human embryonic kidney cells and gained momentum since 1960s around the world.
Advantage India
The Government of India had felt that there was a need for regulatory framework on ethical, social and legal issues while promoting stem cell research & therapy to follow world-class standards of ethics regulation and engage all stakeholders and the society at large in terms of getting their consensus. With this intent, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) under the Ministry of Science and Technology and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) jointly formulated “National Guidelines of Stem Cell Research and Therapy 2007” to lay down general principles on ethics of stem cell research and therapy. One of the salient features of the guidelines is the classification of stem cell research under permissible, restricted and prohibited categories. These guidelines address both ethical and scientific concerns to encourage responsible practices in the area of stem cell research and therapy. For marketable products, clearance from Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) is necessary since stem cells are akin to biological drugs. It has also set standards for the collection, processing and storage of cells intended for clinical use
India has made great strides in stem cell research in recent years creating several cell lines and published more than 100 publications in the stem cell field. Therefore, India has a distinct opportunity to focus the stem cell research as no country so far has a clear advantage on stem cell research and therapy; there is enough evidence to prove that India is at par with the developed nations in the global arena.
Global Market Watch has reported that the largest growth in terms of drug discovery applications using stem cells is expected from Asia- Pacific during 2009-2015. India and China are poised to play a key role in the scientific, clinical and commercial development of stem cell research in this region. As per the report, India is a significant contributor to the global market for stem cells and is growing at a rate of 15%. Further, in India, the stem cell research market is expected to touch estimated $ 540 million by 2015. The therapy business segment is about $ 10 billion in the next couple of years. According to Stem Cell Global Foundation, the stem cell banking business will grow more than 35% over the next year to 140 crores.
India may be still at a nascent stage as compared to some countries like U.K., however, has a huge population base with genetic versatility, patient demand is high. Moreover India is well positioned to emerge as a significant player in the global stem cell research and clinical application with its vibrant biopharmaceutical companies, a large intellectual pool of scientific talent and a mature information technology industry.
Indian researchers and doctors are particularly working in the clinical application of stem cells in ophthalmology, cardiology, diabetes, and spinal cord repair. There are more than 40 research institutes, hospitals and firms involved in stem cell research in India. Government of India recognized stem cell research as niche area and initiated the process by allocating funds for infrastructure development and operational activities.
With such a tremendous growth potential, stem cell research raises many ethical, legal, scientific and policy issues that are of concern to the policy makers and public at large. ICMR has proposed a sizeable “stem cell priority fund” to finance research activities in this promising therapeutic area. Excellent groundwork is being carried out at public and private research institutes under the sponsorship of DBT; ICMR etc. have set up an exclusive centre for stem cell research, therapy and storage.
The way forward to strengthen regulations
ICMR is all set to tighten the regulations by establishing National Apex Committee (NAC) for effective monitoring and review the crucial research on stem cell therapy.
The National Apex Committee for Stem cell Research and Therapy (NAC-SCRT) will monitor and review the stem cell research, technologies, techniques and clinical practices. Once it starts operating, all institutions conducting stem cell research have to compulsorily register under it besides having their own institutional committee on stem cell research and therapy (IC-SCRT). Further, the National Apex Committee will serve to register all the stem cell research centres, available stem cell lines in India, including the newly developed ones, and ongoing clinical stem cell trials in the country. Further, stem cell storage and banking will come under the purview of regulatory framework
Thus, the Indian Government is playing a proactive role in guarding research ethics. To evolve consensus on the 'Guidelines for Stem Cell Research Regulation', ICMR had public consultations in various regions among stakeholders on this document. Various stakeholders participated in the consultation. Evolving consensus on the document is essential because even though stem cell research holds promise for improving health through regeneration and restoration of damaged organs by various injuries and disease, it also raises several ethical, legal and social issues.
Conclusion
As stem cells are considered the next big thing in modern therapeutics around the world, India has the advantage of large patient pool, a wide spectrum of diseases, highly skilled clinicians, young paramedical, world class researchers and favourable regulations, besides government support and funding that will significantly help the country to develop as a global player in stem cells market. India should aim to develop much needed therapies to many chronic diseases prevalent in its population, and to make progress towards becoming a knowledge driven economy.
However, it is equally important to make stem cell treatment less expensive so that it is affordable to common man. Further, a concrete stem cell policy will facilitate to put all research institutions under radar prescribing establishment of facilities for good manufacturing practices (GMP), Good Lab Practices (GLP) and Good Tissue Practices (GTP). Since the research guidelines cannot be legally enforced,it is unclear what recourse could be taken against those found operating outside these guidelines. A penalty provision for non-compliance with the guidelines should also be clearly indicated.
The author is Partner, Corporate Law Group, New Delhi