Chennai-based hospital group Frontier Lifeline is engaged in stem cell studies for cardiac therapy at its medical science park near Gummidipoondi, Chennai.

According to K. M. Cherian, Founder, Frontier Lifeline, which runs a 120-bed cardiac care hospital in Chennai, bio-technology is fast gaining ground in the country’s healthcare services landscape.

Last year, Frontier Lifeline set up a 360-acre medical science park – Frontier Mediville – at a special economic zone in a village called Elavur (Gummidipoondi taluk), 40 km from Chennai. The Rs 900-crore project houses a training centre which conducts diploma and BSc programmes in stem cell technology, tissue engineering and cardiac care. The research unit, on which Rs 140 crore has been invested, marks phase two of Mediville’s activities.

Sandhya Cherian, Vice-President, Frontier Lifeline, and Dr Cherian’s daughter, said ongoing research involves developing biological heart valves from pigs’ valves for use in human beings.

Pigs’ valves, which are similar to that of human beings, are processed with silver nano coating.

This works better than mechanical valves which are expensive, she said, on the sidelines of a healthcare conference.

“We have applied for recognition by the Indian Council of Medical Research for this,” she said.

Mediville’s research unit is also engaged in multiplying stem cells (from bone marrow) for treating cardiac ailments.

The science park houses a farm with pigs, sheep and buffaloes for stem cell studies.

In the next phase, a 750-bed general hospital and 250-bed bio-hospital (for alternative medicine) are being planned. Frontier Mediville plans to raise private equity funding for expansion.

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