Manipal Group, a leading education and healthcare enterprise, has taken a major step towards increasing its presence in the Health Care Delivery Services by setting up a new arm "Stempeutics' which will focus on the use of stem cell for its possible role in therapeutics. The Group, which already has a dedicated Stem Cell Research Centre, will see Stempeutics convert the research studies into potential products for the treatment of degenerative diseases and damaged organs. The source of stem cells currently is from patients' own active and normal cells (Autologous).

Stempeutics under the aegis of Manipal Health Systems is proactively looking at the favourable scenario created by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) which is framing guidelines on stem cell research and the ICMR is in the process to approve the use of Allogenic Mesenchymal Stem Cells (AMSC) for clinical trials. The final clearance from ICMR is expected before June end and this would be landmark consent in the history of stem cell therapy in the country.

In the wake of this supportive situation, Stempeutics is gearing up to conduct ICH/GCP based clinical trials with ICMR consent for its Autologous/Allogenic Mesenchymal Stem Cells produced at its cGMP compliant stem cell lab located on the 9th Floor of the Manipal Hospital in Bangalore, an ICMR certified facility.

Stem cell research leading to therapeutics holds great promise in the areas of degenerative diseases and in the possible restoration of damaged organs. "If we are able to ensure the approval of data generated from scientifically planned studies, then we can consciously work towards evidence-based medicine which is proof beyond doubt of the efficacy and safety of stem cell therapy for diseases which have as of now no cure," said Dr Ramananda S Nadig, COO, Stempeutics.

Primarily Stempeutics will concentrate on basic research and study the probable significance of stem cell in therapies like Myocardial Infraction (MI), stroke, spinal cord injuries, and application of limbal stem cells for corneal replacement among others. Stempeutics will design scientific studies to assess its viability in therapy. It will also look to create stem-cell lines at its state of the art cGMP complaint lab. "Our research teams are in the process of understanding the 'homing' mechanism involved in the Therapeutic aspects of these stem cells," added Dr Satish Totey, Research Director, Stem Cell Research, Manipal Hospital.

Given the credential of the Manipal Group, its foray into stem cell therapy is adding yet another dimension to better patient care, in addition to its advanced hospital infrastructure, patient pool and medico-scientific expertise to hone in the skills for stem cell research informed Dr Nadig.