Indian biotech firm Stempeutics Research gets US Process Patent for its novel stem cell drug

Bengaluru: Bengaluru based Stempeutics Research has been granted a US process patent for its stem-cell based drug Stempeucel by the United States Patent and Trademarks Office.

Backed by the Manipal Education and Medical Group and drug maker Cipla, Stempeutics makes stem cell-based drugs or regenerative medicine. It enables living, functional tissues to repair or replace tissue or organ function lost due to age, disease, damage or congenital defects.

"The patent granted is a strong recognition for Stempeutics for its sustained excellence of scientific and clinical work," said B N Manohar, chief executive of Stempeutics.

The company said the drug will initially be used for the treatment of Critical Limb Ischemia (CLI) as it directly addresses the root cause of the disease, unlike other drugs which typically treat the symptoms and not the disease itself.

CLI is a progressive form of peripheral arterial disease, which blocks the arteries in the lower extremities, resulting into reduction of the blood flow. Insufficient supply of blood flow results into the development of sores and wounds in legs and feet and severe pain. If left untreated, patients may finally have to undergo amputation of the affected limb.

"We believe that the Stempeucel is a game-changer offering an advanced therapeutic treatment for millions of patient suffering with this dreadful disease," said Manohar.

Chandru Chawla head of Cipla New Ventures, an investment arm of Cipla said the investment in Stempeutics demonstrates their commitment of bringing the next generation of biologics in order to address unmet medical needs.

"With this novel Stempeucel technology, we are supporting Stempeutics discovery of this first-of-its-kind regenerative medicine," said Chawla.

Stempeutics has already submitted its applications to Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) to obtain marketing authorisation approval for Stempeucel and is waiting for the approvals.

Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.