Stempeutics Research, a group company of Manipal Education and Medical Group (MEMG), has partnered with Global Consortium of cell therapy companies seeking European Commission Funding to Fight Against Corona! (FAC!).

Under this partnership, Stempeutics will export its stem cell product Stempeucel (subject to regulatory approvals) for treating critically ill COVID-19 patients with lung disease.

First the product will be clinically tested and upon successful outcomes, it intends to export the product on a regular basis. In this connection, Stempeutics will sign up an alliance with Educell Ltd, Slovenia.

Currently, no specific drugs or vaccines are available to cure the patients with COVID-19 infection. Mortality in COVID-19 infected patients with the inflammatory lung condition ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome)is reported to approach 50%, and is associated with older age, co-morbidities such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), higher disease severity, and elevated markers of inflammation.

Current therapeutic interventions (with the exception of ventilators/respirators which are in very short supply) do not appear to be improving in-hospital survival. Hence, there is a large unmet need for a safe and effective treatment for COVID-19 infected patients, especially in severe cases.

A promising new therapy for the ARDS, the terminal stage of COVID-19, using MSCs can quickly (2-4 days) reduce inflammation of the lung tissue, and allow patients Regenerating Hope, A venture of Manipal Education & Medical Group, to more quickly come off of ventilatory support and hopefully fully recover with less significant lung damage.

Stempeucel is an allogeneic, off the shelf, pooled mesenchymal stromal cells having anti-inflammatory and immune-modulatory properties which prevents the over activation of the immune system.

Stempeutics is also working closely with agencies in India for making these solutions available in India.