The Spectra Clinical Research Centre (SCRC), a unit of Apollo Hospitals group, is setting up a laboratory for stem cell research and therapy in collaboration with Histostem Company Ltd of USA.

The centre is now awaiting approval from the bioethics committee and DCGI to start the clinical research. SCRC recently signed an MoU with Histostem to provide technological support in the research work, which will start within three months in Chennai.

The centre has also signed an MoU with John Hopkins University to train clinical associates and physicians on good clinical practices. “Our country has excellent expertise in medical field and good environment like cost effective methods of research, proper utilization of Information Technology which attracts more foreign countries for contract research. We have enhanced our facilities for better results,” Jayanthi Swaminathan, Clinical Project Manager, SCRC told Pharmabiz.

SCRC, the site management team of Apollo Hospitals Group, has established offices in Chennai, Hyderabad and New Delhi. The centre also plans to establish new research units in Ahmedabad, Kolkata and Madurai. The new units will be launched within four months, sources said.

The centre is conducting clinical research on cardiology, oncology, neurology, infectious disease, diabetes and endocrinology. An Ayurvedic drug research unit is also working under the head office of the centre at Chennai. Research works for new molecules for drugs on weight reduction, hyper-cholestrolemia, anti-infectives are in progress at the Ayurveda research unit. The centre has more than 20 multinational pharmaceutical companies and about 10 contract research organizations as clients. The centre undertakes 25 per cent of the trials for US FDA approval, informed sources.