Stempeutics Research, a part of the Manipal Education and Medical Group (MEMG), has received process patent from the State Intellectual Property Office of China (SIPO) for its novel stem-cell based drug Stempeucel which will initially be used for the treatment of Critical Limb Ischemia (CLI), a progressive form of peripheral arterial disease.

About 20 per cent of elderly urban Chinese suffer from peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and the prevalence in women is substantially higher than in men. CLI is a progressive form of PAD and smokers are at high risk of contracting PAD.

Commenting on the patent granted by SIPO, B N Manohar, chief executive officer, Stempeutics, said that the efforts are realised through innovative technologies and advanced R&D, patentable process development, large scale manufacturing and effective clinical trial design.

“We believe that the Stempeucel product is a game-changer offering an advanced therapeutic treatment to millions of patients suffering from this dreadful disease,” he added.

According to Chandru Chawla, head, Cipla New Ventures, China has a high prevalence of diabetes and consequently many suffer from ischaemic limb condition. The patent grant in China is yet another important milestone after the grant of the patent in the US.

Stempeutics has already submitted its application to the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) to obtain marketing authorisation approval for Stempeucel. The availability of the product in the market is subjected to DCGI approval.

Stempeutics which was set up in 2006 entered into a strategic alliance with Cipla in 2009.