Thursday, December 8 2005 15:20 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Chennai: India's first exclusive state-of-the-art stem cell transplant center would become operational in the city by April 2006.

For setting up the center, LifeCell, pioneers in cord blood stem cell banking in India, and Sri Ramachandra Medical Centre (SRMC), a tertiary care multi-specialty university hospital have entered into a tie-up, S Abhaya Kumar, CEO, Asia Cryo-Cell Pvt Ltd which owns LifeCell, told reporters here.

"While LifeCell would invest Rs 15 crore in the project, SRMC would be providing an exclusive 15,000 sq.ft area in their seven-storied ambulatory facility at their premises here, "he said.

"The center will be meant exclusively for stem cell transplants and will be conducted by experienced and renowned stem cell transplant specialists from around the world", he said adding that intellectual property generated out of the center through research would be shared by both.

The center would initially focus on haematological and oncological ailments and expand to other areas in a phased manner.

"LifeCell has committed layout of Rs 40-50 crore over the next 2-3 years on stem cell banking, research and therapy," he said.

"We want to make the therapy as affordable as possible for Indians. Keeping the cost low is therefore a challenge", he said.

SRMC's Dr Krishna Seshadri, said the tie-up allowed SRMC to be part of an 'exceptionally evolving technology' as stemcells had the potential to be used in replacing defective organs in the future.

Seshadri said at present in other parts of the world stemcells have been put to many uses, including treating some metabolic conditions and for over 45 diseases it is a recognised therapy.

The technology further holds a promise to cure thousands of other ailments also, he added.

SRMC Registrar Radha Venkatachalam, said the technology was bound to revolutionize health care in the country, particularly in case of life-threatening ailments.

Abhaya said the research works at the center would adhere strictly to all protocols and usual practices in the country and that they would be seeking all necessary approvals from the Government.

He said the work on the center would commence soon and the facility was expected to become operational by April 2006.