An Indian firm is starting clinical trials for an off-the-shelf stem cell treatment for heart attacks and arteries in the limb, the first of its kind in the country, local tabloid Mail Today said Tuesday.
The treatment, started by Bangalore-based firm Stempeutics Research, involves injecting cells developed from adult bone marrow into the patient so that they move to the heart and heal its muscles, helping it beat better, said the report.
The cells can be administered through an injection, on demand from doctors through a hotline. Stem cells are immature, unprogrammed cells that can grow into different kinds of tissues, according to the report.
The report said the cells will be supplied to distributors across India and abroad.
In similar trials, a U.S. biotech company Osiris Therapeutics has two major products, one associated with Crohn's disease and another associated with bone marrow transplant.
Last month, the company published results for trial evaluating Prochymal, a treatment for continued heart damage in patients who have experienced first heart attack. Also, an Australian company is expected to come up with two similar products.
For the Indian product, after large-scale trials are complete, the product is expected to hit shelves by 2011, according to the report.
"We have already done pilot studies and two clinical trials will start soon," the paper quoted Stempeutics president B.N. Manohar as saying.
The Indian Council of Medical Research and the Drug Controller General of India have already approved protocols from the company.
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