Suckhoedoisong.vn – Cooperation on Research into the Application of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Treatment

On 16 September, Bach Mai Hospital and Mescells|MSC signed a cooperation agreement on research into the application of mesenchymal stem cells in clinical treatment.

The signing of the agreement affirms the two organizations’ determination to put the direction of the Government and the Ministry of Health into practice, from technology research needs and process standardization to clinical application, with a view to building an in-depth public-private cooperation model in regenerative medicine and cell therapy in Vietnam.

Dr. Nguyen Ngo Quang, Director General of the Department of Science, Technology and Training (Ministry of Health), attended and witnessed the signing ceremony.

Information presented at the signing ceremony showed that cirrhosis and musculoskeletal diseases are groups of chronic conditions currently in need of new medical treatment options. Around the world there have been many encouraging research results in treating cirrhosis and musculoskeletal diseases with stem cell therapy. This cooperation is therefore very important for promoting and developing applied research on cell therapy, in order to bring new methods and techniques into practice and improve the effectiveness of treatment for chronic diseases, especially cirrhosis and musculoskeletal diseases.

Through the agreement, the Mescells|MSC Specialized Healthcare System for Regenerative Medicine and Cell Therapy and Bach Mai Hospital aim at four key objectives, specifically:

First, cooperation in scientific research and product development, by jointly drawing up research and development programs for cell products and preparing the scientific and legal dossiers and other conditions needed to conduct clinical trials in accordance with the law;

Supporting the development, refinement and commercialization of biomedical products resulting from joint research, in accordance with the law;

Along with jointly drawing up research and development programs for cell products and preparing the scientific and legal dossiers and other conditions needed to conduct clinical trials in accordance with the law.

Second, cooperation in training and human resource development, through jointly organizing continuing education programs, conferences and specialist scientific seminars to update knowledge and strengthen professional capacity in regenerative medicine and modern medicine, as well as exchanging experts and technicians and sharing experience in managing high-tech healthcare.

Third, application and development of professional and technical expertise, through joint research into and application of advanced solutions, technical procedures and professional models suited to practical needs, implementation conditions and the Hospital’s direction of professional development;

Jointly carrying out professional activities and high-tech medical services in accordance with the law, the actual conditions of the parties and the requirement to improve the quality of medical examination, treatment and healthcare for the public.

Fourth, sharing resources and developing the ecosystem, by jointly considering the shared use of technical infrastructure, laboratories and clinical databases for research and treatment purposes, and jointly promoting the professional image and brand of both sides through community cooperation activities.

Speeding up the early introduction of advanced technology, including cell technology, into medical examination and treatment

Nguyen Thi Thu Hien, Chairwoman of the Mescells|MSC Specialized Healthcare System for Regenerative Medicine and Cell Therapy, said: For Mescells, cooperation with Bach Mai Hospital is not just a cooperation agreement, but a connection between the clinical capacity of a last-line hospital and technological and research capacity in the field of cell technology, working together towards practical value for patients and the development of Vietnamese medicine.

“One of the areas of particular interest to us is research into and application of cell technology in liver diseases, especially cirrhosis. This is an area in which cell therapy is opening up new approaches in regenerative medicine.

Mescells hopes that cooperation with Bach Mai Hospital will not stop at research or trials, but will move towards transferring techniques, building capacity and gradually bringing cell technology techniques, processes and products into routine clinical use, once all scientific, safety and legal requirements are met,” Ms. Hien said, adding: We believe that the ultimate value of research lies not only in a scientific result, but in the ability to bring that result to patients

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Tuan Tung, Deputy Director of Bach Mai Hospital, said that gene therapy and stem cells form one of six very important development pillars of Bach Mai Hospital for 2025–2030, as approved by the Ministry of Health. The cooperation between the two organizations is an important milestone in advancing this pillar.

Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Tuan Tung emphasized that, alongside its duty of examining and treating the public as a last-line hospital, Bach Mai Hospital has always regarded the development of science and technology, training and scientific research as the “three-legged stool” that it pursues and develops together. Under the direction of the Ministry of Health, the hospital has set important directions for bringing advanced technology, including cell technology, into medical examination and treatment at an early stage.

The highest goal of this partnership is to give patients access to cell and cell technology services during the course of their treatment. Under the legal direction of the Department of Science, Technology and Training and the regulations of the Ministry of Health, the company will produce cells that meet the standards, and Bach Mai Hospital will be the place where advanced techniques are applied clinically.

Mr. Tung also hoped that the cooperation between the two organizations would not stop at research but would go straight into clinical practice.

The Deputy Director of Bach Mai Hospital also expressed the hope that the company would continue to develop technology for producing cells for use in treatment in Vietnam at a reasonable cost to the public.

If we wait for imported foreign technology, costs will be very high and only a small number of people will have access, whereas self-reliance in domestic production and application will allow a large number of patients to be treated quickly.

Ensuring safety in application

According to Dr. Nguyen Ngo Quang, Director General of the Department of Science, Technology and Training, Ministry of Health, cell technology is one of three strategic technologies that the Prime Minister has assigned the health sector to implement, with the aim of creating safe and effective products, methods and techniques for treating Vietnamese patients. The Ministry of Health is directing units to implement this urgently so as to achieve concrete results soon.

Recently, the Ministry of Health has issued guidance documents so that units, including Bach Mai Hospital, can draw up implementation plans in accordance with the proper legal procedures.

The Ministry of Health has reviewed and appraised the laboratory, the cell bank and the capacity of Mescells. Cooperation between a cell bank that meets the standards, such as Mescells, and a specialized last-line hospital such as Bach Mai will bring great benefit to the public. Once Bach Mai does this well, the model will be replicated in other hospitals.

The Ministry of Health guides and encourages Bach Mai Hospital to cooperate in conducting clinical trials of umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells for the following indications: prevention and control of rejection in patients after organ transplantation (helping to reduce dependence on expensive anti-rejection drugs); treatment of cirrhosis / compensated cirrhosis; and treatment of musculoskeletal diseases.

However, Dr. Quang noted that after signing, the units must urgently standardize their clinical trial management systems. Bach Mai Hospital is now a large organization with two campuses and many institutes and centers, so it needs a single official focal point to direct and manage compliance with the law. For its part, Mescells should soon complete the full set of quality management documentation for its cell products to meet the regulator’s requirements, moving towards international standards (GMP) and Vietnamese Standards (TCVN) to ensure safety in clinical application.

Source: Suckhoedoisong.vn