LifeCell’s Mesocel gets nod for clinical trial from DCGI; Therapy to treat patients with moderate to severe COVID 19
~ New therapy derived from mesenchymal stem cells of the umbilical cord tissue set to treat patients suffering from COVID 19 pneumonia and acute respiratory distress ~
Chennai, 17th September, 2021: LifeCell, India’s leading stem cell bank and diagnostic solutions provider’s latest therapy to treat COVID 19, Mesocel, today received an approval for clinical trial from the Biological Division of the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI). Derived from Mesenchymal Stem Cells obtained from donated umbilical cord tissue, Mesocel is set to treat patients suffering from life-threatening COVID19 pneumonia and acute respiratory distress. The clinical trial, to be conducted in two phases, will evaluate the safety and efficacy of Mesocel for the treatment of patients with moderate to severe COVID-19.
Mesocel is a pioneering stem cell-based therapy that could potentially treat COVID19 pneumonia and acute respiratory distress. The therapy involves 100million + expanded Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) that are obtained from donated umbilical cord tissue and are intravenously infused into pat ients in two intravenous doses. The therapy can be undertaken without need for immune matching between donor and patient.
LifeCell has set-up a manufacturing facility at its Chennai campus that will further bolster its biologics manu fa cturing capabilities. Equipped with mul tiple bioreactors of different sizes, the facility ensures uninterrupted supply of MSCs for timely and affordable treatment by using the bio-reactors to exp and the cells in a sterile environment, thereby providing significant advan tages from a cost and quality-control perspective. It is well known that MSCs isolated from the umbilical cord have a superior expansion capability comp ared to their adult-sourced counterparts. The facility meets the current good manufacturing practices (CGMP) guidelines which ensure that all manufactured biological products meet the regulatory standards set by the national as well as international agencies and also offer significant cost and quality-control related advantages.
“Over the last year, LifeCell has supported over a million Indians with quick and reliable COVID-19 RT-PCR testing. This new cell therapy utilising the potent anti-inflammatory, immune-modulating, and tissue regenerative properties of MSCs will further strengthen our fight against COVID-19 and help save lives, which is our primary objective. Interestingly, sim ilar therapies have already progressed to phase III clinical trials in other countries not just for the treatment of COVID-19 but other associated complications, thus offering great hope for Indian patients suffering from severe COVID-19.”, saidMayurAbhaya, Managing Director, LifeCell.
IshaanKhanna, Chief Executive Officer, LifeCell, further added, “LifeCell has been striving to offer its cord blood ba nking customers with several innovative industry-first launches including the novel co mmunity banking initiative and StemMatch, and FamilyFloater progra ms which offer unmatched and rapid access to matching stem cells to the families for a transplant when time matters the most. With this ap proval, LifeCell has become the first stem cell bank to get DC GI’s appr oval for using MSCs derived from the umbilical cord tissue. This has not only once again established us as the leaders but also enabled us to off er more value to our customers who shall receive complimentary access to the mese nchymal stem cells following the launch.”
About LifeCell:
Established in 2004, LifeCell is India’s first and largest community stem cell bank, enjoying the trust of over 3,5 0,000 parents. We are the only player in the industry offering comprehensive stem cell solutions including the novel initiative of community stem cell banking. LifeCell’s Diagnostics division started in 2012, offers the most advanced and comprehensive diagnostic programs for preconception, prenatal as well as newborn health in mo re than 1200 hospitals across 200 cities. We have spearheaded various biochemical, genetic, and cytogenetic te sting services including COVID detection and related patient management tests. Our innovative healthcare & diagnostic solutions are aimed at addressing the challenge of high infant & maternal mortality rates in the co untry and to provide actionable insights to help clinicians make better decisions, thus, promoting health for the generations to come.
