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A big boost for clinical trials of stem cell therapy

Special Correspondent

JAIPUR: Making rapid strides in clinical research, the Sawai Man Singh Medical College here has embarked on an ambitious project for stem cell therapy to undertake clinical trials for treatment of serious diseases and joined the global efforts to develop the frontier science to achieve the “miracle cure” offering new hope to patients.

A five-member team of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) visited the SMS Medical College in the last week of June to find out the scope for stem cell research in nephrology, spinal cord injuries, eye ailments, blood diseases and urology proposed by the college.

The team was presented with an overview of the proposals submitted to the ICMR.

The Principal of SMS Medical College, Ashok Panagariya, told The Hindu here on Tuesday that the project, estimated at Rs. 11 crore, would be completed in the next seven years with the establishment of a Stem Cell Research Laboratory in a 1,600 sq. feet area earmarked on the campus.

The Rajasthan Government-run medical institute proposes to link up stem cell research with the ongoing studies in bone marrow transplant and in-vitro fertilisation here.

Besides, an Advanced Research Laboratory has become operational in the college recently and has launched a study on viruses as its first project.

Dr. Panagariya, who is a renowned neurologist, said he had recently appointed an 11-member core group, headed by Adarsh Bhargava of Gynaecology Department, to look into the ethical, legal, scientific and technical aspects of stem cell research. He said the laboratory, once established in the college, would evolve a meaningful research ambience in biotechnology, genetics and stem cells and facilitate clinical trials.

“With the country’s first multi-centre study of stem cell therapy in heart attacks having been commissioned at the Christian Medical College in Vellore, we feel there is need to diversify the research. Our college can generate resources to join the nationwide efforts to develop this revolutionary field of medicine,” said Dr. Panagariya.

The ICMR team, which has already approved the project’s first phase, suggested that the SMS Medical College appoint a full-time cell biologist, involve experts from other institutions and generate monetary resources to make the project a success. Dr. Panagariya said the college would follow the norms laid down by ICMR.

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