India's First Stem Cell Transplant Centre To Be Operational By Year End

Sapna Dogra

LifeCell, the Chennai-based stem cell banking and research centre, has tied up with Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Centre to set up India's first stem cell transplant centre in the country, which would be operational by the end of this year.

LifeCell has roped in Anthony Finch, Director of CRYO CELL International USA, to take charge of the transplant centre in India. Finch has an experience of more than 25 years in stem cell research, transplantation and cord blood processing. He will supervise the developments of facility and ensure that quality of procedure in stem cell extraction procedure is at par with the US FDA standards.

Finch is concerned about having standards and regulatory procedures with regards to stem cell transplants. "The Government must fix certain regulatory procedure for all labs in the country, which in turn must comply with international standards," says Finch. Precision is crucial in extracting stem cells at different levels and a slight error can hamper the potential of the stem cells in curing some of the most fatal diseases, adds Finch. It is important to keep patients' interest at top priority and having a holistic approach, informs he. Incidentally, the ICMR guidelines regarding stem cell transplant have gone for cabinet approval.

LifeCell has planned an investment to the tune of Rs 60 crore. This has been earmarked for the next two years to set up stem cell transplant centres in India and abroad. "We are in talks with two of the biggest hospitals in Mumbai and with some of the hospital chains in Delhi to avail their facilities for the project," says Prasad Mangipudi, Vice President, Marketing, LifeCell.

Currently, it has 18 marketing and collection centres in India. Mangipudi is hopeful that the number will reach 31 by the end of March 2007. "We are also expanding our overseas presence by setting up centres at Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Dubai and Bangkok etc," he adds. The company estimates that about 3,000 people already have stored stem cells in the country. The cell transplant system is estimated to cure about 75 malignant and non-malignant diseases, including diabetes, leukemia and many more.