Eyeing a wider spectrum of stem cell transplantation and research in cardiac disease, LifeCell, the pioneer in private cord blood banking company, has inducted Dr Amit Patel, Director of Cardiac Stem Cell Therapies, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, USA in its Scientific Advisory Board.

The company which have recently disclosed its plans to set up a stem cell transplantation centre, to carry out transplantation for critical heart patients to be completed by the end of the year, is planning utilize the expertise of the eminent cardio thoracic surgeon, who is also a pioneer of stem cell research and therapies for cardiac disorders in its growth plans, according to the company sources.

In a press conference at Chennai, Dr Amit Patel remarked that the promising growth of pharmaceutical industry with growing number of drug manufacturing units has created a wide potential for the development of stem cell research and therapy in India than many of the developing nations.

He said that the pharmaceutical industry has a major role to play in the stem cell research and treatment regime in the country, as the combination of drugs with the system of therapy is a must for the success of medical science. "Even in the stem cell therapy, the treatment needs medication and in synergy they can provide a better treatment option for the patients," commented Dr Amit.

The stem cell is not a magic cell technology and should at the stage considered for systematic approach as supplementary or supporting therapy. India maintains a huge potential in stem cell research and treatment activities to be utilized, and the positive sign is that there are hardly any quackery by small-scale research companies in the stem cell therapy segment of India, he added.

"A huge database of various complications in cardiac problems which has been handled by Dr Amit in the last four years would be a great asset for our studies in the field. The database along with his experiences and expertise, the company's efforts to find safe procedures for enacting the system in cardiac problems has better grounds for efficacy," S Abhayakumar, Vice Chariman, Lifecell told.

The company is to launch its stem cell transplant centre, in collaboration with Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Centre (SRMC & RI) for killer diseases including cardiac problems, leukaemia, stroke, diabetes and crippling spinal cord injuries, by November 2006. As Pharmabiz reported earlier, the centre with an investment of Rs.15 crore is in an exclusive area of 15,000 sq. ft. at SRMC and the right of the intellectual property resulted from the research will be shared between LifeCell and SRMC and RI.