The Hindu Business Line : ‘Stem cell cures have still to be validated’

Bangalore, Feb. 19 Stem cell research in the country still has a long way to go in spite of many therapeutic claims. The Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR), which now governs this area pending legislation, has not received any clinical trial proposal, according to Dr Geeta Jotwani, Assistant Director-General, Indian Council for Medical Research and Chairperson of its Centre for Stem Cells Sciences.

Although numerous agencies have reported over 50 cases of successful treatment using stem cells, “We cannot [yet] consider the claims as cure or therapy”, she said at a UK-India round table on stem cell research and policy guidelines here on Monday. The medical research body is, however, formulating a trial registry.

Under a stem cell research-friendly Indian environment, several bodies such as the Manipal Hospital, L.V.Prasad Eye Institute, CCMB and IISc are chasing stem cell-based therapies for cancer, cardiovascular problems, diabetes, arthritis, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases and sight restoration.

Dr Jotwani said millions of Indians could be potential beneficiaries of these therapies in a market estimated at $26 billion in 2006 and expected to touch $96 billion by 2010-15.

A draft policy of 2006 is also addressing the many concerns on use of cells from umbilical cord blood and adult cells; accreditation and quality control as also export or import of stem cell lines, Dr Jotwani said. All investigators and their agencies should be registered with the National Apex Committee for Stem Cell Research.

Stem cell technology can cut pharma R&D cost by 25 per cent a year and save $225 million in each drug market, according to Prof Colin McGuckin of the Newcastle Centre for Cord Blood International Centre for Life.

Over the next few days, he and an expert team would explore collaboration in research and trials with South Indian agencies.

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