Bach Mai Hospital and Mescells to Study the Application of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Clinical Treatment

Under the agreement, the two sides will cooperate in scientific research and product development; staff training; the research and development of specialist techniques; and the sharing of resources for research and treatment. Clinical trial activities will be carried out only when all scientific and legal requirements and related regulations are met.

Bringing research closer to patients

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Hien, Chairwoman of the Mescells|MSC Specialized Healthcare System for Regenerative Medicine and Cell Therapy, said the cooperation between the two organizations connects the clinical capacity of a last-line hospital with a technology and research platform in the field of cells.

Accordingly, the cooperation aims to transfer techniques step by step, build capacity and bring suitable research results into practice once all professional, quality and legal requirements are met. Mescells is committed to supplying stem cells that meet the standards required for research and application.

“We believe that the ultimate value of research lies not only in the scientific results, but in the ability to bring those results to patients,” Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Hien said.

New technology must be safe, effective and accessible

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Tuan Tung, Deputy Director of Bach Mai Hospital, emphasized that alongside examination and treatment, training, scientific research and professional guidance for lower-level hospitals are important pillars of the Hospital. Researching and applying new technology, including cell technology, is one way of seeking further solutions to improve the quality of treatment.

According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Tuan Tung, bringing new technology into practice requires coordination between regulators, research and manufacturing organizations, and clinical hospitals. Products must meet standards; efficacy and safety need to be fully evaluated; and implementation must comply with the law.

“The Hospital hopes that the cooperation will not stop at research, but will move step by step towards clinical application once there is sufficient evidence, and the procedures and legal conditions are in place. The technology must have real therapeutic value, and at a cost that makes it accessible to the Vietnamese people,” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Tuan Tung emphasized.

Putting the agreement into practice soon

At the event, Dr. Nguyen Ngo Quang, Director General of the Department of Science, Technology and Training at the Ministry of Health, commended the linking of research, production and application of cell technology.

According to him, this is a new and complex field that demands a high level of expertise and strict management. All research and application activities must comply with the law, research ethics, quality standards and safety requirements, with complete procedures for patient selection, outcome monitoring and risk management.

The Ministry of Health representative asked the two organizations to set up a coordination focal point soon and draw up a plan with specific tasks, responsibilities, timelines and deliverables, so that the agreement is implemented in substance after signing.

“The ultimate goal is to bring advanced, safe and effective technology to Vietnamese patients as soon as possible, at a reasonable cost and on an appropriate scale,” Dr. Nguyen Ngo Quang emphasized.

Taking this guidance on board, Bach Mai Hospital said it would soon work with Mescells|MSC to draw up a specific implementation plan.

Source: Bach Mai Hospital