Govt support to stem cell research helped establishment of facilities in 40 institutions: Minister

New Delhi, February 28, 2022:

In an effort to support the research and development in regenerative medicine in the country, the Government of India has helped setting up state-of-the-art stem cell research facilities in 40 premier health research and educational institutions. It has also spent around Rs. 8.13 crore through Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in the last three years under certain projects.

Various policy initiatives it has taken over the last few years are also to support the research activities, said the ministry of health and family welfare (MoHFW).

The Government of India has conducted stem cell research through various departments/institutions by supporting basic as well as clinical research through national funding agencies like the ICMR, Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Department of Science and Technology (DST).

“The work done in this field has resulted in the establishment of state-of-art infrastructure at over 40 premier health research and educational institutes in addition to supporting industry initiatives in India,” said Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar, minister of state in the MoHFW.

The total funds released by Indian Council of Medical Research during the last three years under Stem cell research in fellowships and Ad-hoc projects, is around Rs. 8.13 crore, said the minister recently in the Parliament.

ICMR has released the National Guidelines for Stem Cell Research (NGSCR) 2017 which were framed in harmonization of international guidelines. Government has supported the ethical and scientific conduct of stem cell research through guidelines for stem cell research. Government supports using hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) for hematological disorders, as standard of care, as per NGSCR-2017.

ICMR has also released Evidence Based Status of Stem Cell Therapy for Human Diseases for creating awareness and understanding regarding experimental use of stem cells under the purview of clinical trials.

The Government has also notified the New Drugs and Clinical Trial Rules, 2019 for regulation of clinical trials and New Drugs including cell & stem cell derived product, gene therapeutics product and xenografts for human use, which contains various provisions for improving transparency and accountability for the approval process and to promote research and development of the new drugs.

The Department of Biotechnology has supported projects for basic biology of stem cells; early and late translational research; developing gene editing technology for potential therapeutic applications and creation of animal models for various human diseases. The funds released by the DBT during the last three years and the current year in this area is Rs. 73.46 crore, said the Minister. Pharmabiz