[Medical Times] June 22, 2018
Stem cell therapy selected as a research project generating results among 44 projects in 12 fields.
Catholic Kwandong University International St. Mary’s Hospital (Director Kim Young-in) announced on the 21st that stem cell-based regenerative therapy has been selected as a nationally recognized health and medical technology research and development project.
In December of last year, the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Korea Health Industry Development Institute selected stem cell therapy as a high-yield research project among 44 projects in 12 fields.
Chae Dong-sik, Director of the International St. Mary’s Hospital Cell Therapy Center, where this research will be conducted, stated, “The selection of this research project was due to the fact that International St. Mary’s Hospital has established and operates a bio-convergence research center and a cell therapy center.”
Professor Chae Dong-sik (Orthopedic Surgery) has been conducting clinical trials on the treatment of degenerative knee arthritis using autologous bone marrow and adipose-derived stem cells since 2015, targeting patients aged 50 and older.
Professor Chae’s clinical trial, now in its fourth year, focuses on regenerating lost knee cartilage using autologous stem cells, which do not require separate culture. Professor Chae stated, “Using Miracell’s Smart Prep 2 BMAC system, a new medical technology, autologous bone marrow stem cell transplantation has resulted in cartilage regeneration of over 70%, with no adverse effects to date.”
The research team at International St. Mary’s Hospital plans to develop a complex, enhanced stem cell treatment using a new tissue regeneration technology and apply it to an animal model.
The goal of this research project is to apply animal models to stem cell therapy clinical studies, progressing to Phase 1 clinical trials, and evaluate their efficacy and safety.
The research team will optimize technologies to eliminate incomplete regeneration and develop a complex, enhanced stem cell treatment (at the International St. Mary’s Hospital Bio-Convergence Research Center). They will also develop evaluation techniques for incomplete regeneration that occurs with existing stem cell treatments and apply them to Phase 1 clinical trials (at the International St. Mary’s Hospital Cell Therapy Center).
Furthermore, the team plans to develop animal models and establish standards for verifying efficacy and safety (at the Chonbuk National University College of Veterinary Medicine). Professor Chae Dong-sik said, “If this research is successful, it will contribute to improving national health by developing a treatment for degenerative knee arthritis with improved side effects. Furthermore, it is expected to elevate the national status in the field of stem cell and tissue regeneration by securing complete technology.”
Reporter Lee Ji-hyun news@medicaltimes.com