Miracell and Severance Hospital Sign Clinical Trial Agreement for Stem Cell Treatment of Brain Disease
[Edaily Reporter Lee Soon-yong] Stem cell specialist Miracell Co., Ltd. announced on the 22nd that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Severance Hospital.
Recently, Miracell signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Severance Hospital at its Yeoksam-dong headquarters to promote medical innovation research and development and advanced regenerative biotechnology.
The first project will be to investigate the effectiveness of blood stem cells in treating central nervous system and cardiovascular diseases using Miracell’s technology.
The research team from the Department of Neurology at Severance Hospital in Sinchon stated, “80-90% of cerebral infarctions occur when a small blood clot ruptures in the carotid artery, causing it to enter the bloodstream. This clot then grows and becomes a thrombus, suddenly occluding the cerebral blood vessel.” Therefore, they stated, “We intend to investigate the effects of administering stem cells and other components isolated from patients’ blood using Miracell’s stem cell extraction system on the regression of atherosclerotic plaques.”
The purpose of this clinical study is to verify the efficacy of stem cell therapy in models of atherosclerosis and vascular dementia. The goal is to examine the therapeutic effects of non-surgical stem cell administration in patients with mild cognitive impairment and dementia. After drawing 240 cc of venous blood from the patient, Miracell’s advanced stem cell extraction system, “Smart M-cell2,” was used to isolate and concentrate stem cells with minimal manipulation. The cells, along with growth factors, immune cells, platelets, signaling molecules, and mannitol, which enhances blood-brain barrier permeability, are then administered intravenously.
Miracell CEO Shin Hyun-soon stated, “This joint research project, conducted through an MOU with Severance Hospital, a leading medical institution in Korea, will contribute to the advancement of advanced regenerative biotechnology and the popularization of stem cell therapy. Through this research, we hope to optimize the effectiveness of stem cells in improving blood circulation and tissue regeneration, thereby increasing the cure rate for brain diseases.”
The Miracell stem cell system has already been certified by the Ministry of Health and Welfare as a novel medical technology for the treatment of acute myocardial infarction (coronary angioplasty, coronary artery bypass grafting), critical limb ischemia, and cartilage defects. It is actively being used in the treatment of these conditions. Furthermore, following the European Union’s CE marking in 2020, it received NET (New Health Technology No. 179) approval in 2021, and is currently in the process of obtaining FDA approval.
Miracell’s Smart Mcell 2, used in this clinical trial, is a cutting-edge cell extraction system that has been certified as an “Innovative Product” by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and can be supplied to national hospitals and other government institutions through the Public Procurement Service. Through this agreement, the two organizations will collaborate to develop specialized stem cell therapies for central nervous system and cardiovascular diseases, based on the identification of unmet clinical needs. Furthermore, they plan to exchange technical information, host joint academic conferences and seminars, and share research facilities and equipment.