Stem Cell Research in India: Transforming Regenerative Medicine

The regenerative potential of stem cells has turned into the focal point of research for the scientific community. Its ability to restore tissue function by repairing or replacing damaged cells has vast applications in regenerative medicine. The therapy has already seen success in the case of blood-related malignant and non-malignant disorders. However, it still faces many challenges, for instance, the source for stem cell extraction should be bone marrow or other sources. Moreover, the therapy exists in its nascent state for other disorders. Each country is exploring the potential of regenerative medicine and its use in therapy. India is not behind in this race as well. Several government and private organizations have come forward to promote stem cell research in India. This article provides all the relevant details.

Stem Cells

Stem Cell Research hold the key to treating diseases that are considered manageable at best. The therapy utilizes hematopoietic and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). The sources for Stem Cell Research in clinical trials and used in clinics include bone marrow, peripheral blood, umbilical cord, and adipose tissue. Bone marrow is present in the middle of the bone. It exists in the femur, iliac crest, tibia, sternum, etc. Among them, the iliac crest or the pelvic bone is a frequently used source of bone marrow. The procedure for stem cell extraction from bone marrow requires administration of an anaesthetic to the patient and inserting a needle into the bone to aspirate bone marrow fluid. The process follows the isolation of stem cells from the fluid. The extraction is painful, thereby suggesting the use of other sources such as umbilical cord or peripheral blood.

Private Institutions or Organizations

Numerous private players in India have contributed to the field of regenerative medicine. Advancells is the premium supplier of stem cells, offering high-quality products. Reliance Life Science have characterized human embryonic stem cell lines which are the first from India to be registered in the UK stem cell registry. Stempeucel has become India’s first allogeneic MSC product, available commercially at a global level. The products by Ossron and APceden for cancer and bone diseases are in use. Pandorum Biotechnologies has secured substantial funding while StemCures has invested in India’s largest stem cell laboratory. All these contributions are advancing the field of regenerative medicine Stem Cell Research in India.

Government Initiatives

The Government of India has formulated several schemes to encourage regenerative medicine. Through its organizations- Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Indian Council of Medical Research, the government has supported several regenerative medicine-related projects. Both agencies have dedicated lakhs of funding to Stem Cell Research in India. The Department of Science and Technology (DST) as well as the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) are also taking actions to boost scientific pursuit. The government has also established a special Task force that can oversee research on regenerative medicine by selecting suitable projects and monitoring their progress. Additionally, numerous research institutes have directed their focus towards regenerative medicine, such as LV Prasad Eye Institute, inStem, AIIMS, CMC, and NBRC, etc.

Regulatory Measures

The malpractice and misinformation regarding research and development mandate the development and enforcement of proper regulations. Therefore, the government has laid out directives under the National Guidelines for Stem Cell Research for integrating ethical considerations in research. Institutional level research comes under the purview of the Institutional Committee of Stem Cell Research, whereas the National Apex Committee-SCRT (NAC-SCRT) supervises national-level research.

Furthermore, clinical trials require approval from the Central Drug Standard Control Organization (CDSCO). It has also introduced the Cell Biology-based Therapeutic Drugs Evaluation Committee to assess the manufacturing and trial data for the safety and efficacy of regenerative medicine-based products.

Personalized Stem Cells in India

Personalized therapy provides patient-specific treatment with the goal of maximizing the therapeutic effect on the patient. It takes into account patient-to-patient variation. This approach has also ventured into regenerative medicine. It entails the profiling of the patient, donor characteristics, disease-specific details, cell transfusion, etc. It includes the integration of diverse disciplines to tailor a treatment plan for a patient, to improve the clinical effectiveness of the therapy.

Final Note

Stem Cell Research can replace the deteriorated tissue and restore its healthy state. The treatment still requires optimization of various aspects. For instance, stem cell extraction from bone marrow is predominantly used in clinical settings, but the emergence of new sources have urged the standardization of extraction protocols from them. The many difficulties with this therapy require extensive research. In the global landscape, India has been gradually expanding in the regenerative field. In India, this field is being driven by the participation of both the public and commercial sectors. It has received help from the government in a number of ways, including financial funding and regulatory guidelines. The new products from private companies have gained international recognition. In India, Advancells has been a reliable supplier of  Stem Cells and offers personalized treatment plans.