Kuala Lumpur: Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) created history when it became the first institution in the country to successfully carry out clinical trials of stem cell treatment for patients with knee osteoarthritis, thus marking a new chapter in the field of regenerative medicine.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, KL Orthosports Sdn Bhd (KL Orthosports) chief executive officer Assoc Prof Datuk Dr Badrul Akmal Hisham stated that the treatment, which uses mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) obtained from umbilical cords, began in 2016. The trial involved six patients who have all recovered and returned to normal life. Dr. Badrul expressed confidence in officially promoting this treatment to benefit society and patients, highlighting UKM’s commitment as the only institution with proven and approved clinical trials on stem cell treatment.
He shared this information following the exchange of agreement documents between KL Orthosport Sdn Bhd and Celler Therapeutics Sdn Bhd and the launch of the Malaysian Stem Cell Awareness Network. Present at the event were key figures, including the Dean of UKM Faculty of Medicine Prof Dr Marina Mat Baki, Celler Therapeutics Sdn Bhd director Sasha Omar Firdaus Amir Nordin, and two former knee osteoarthritis patients who received the treatment.
KL Orthosports, a UKM start-up, has obtained licensing rights to UKM’s innovation, facilitating its commercialization and broader utilization. Meanwhile, Celler Therapeutics Sdn Bhd, a biopharmaceutical company, specializes in stem cell production and therapy. Dr. Badrul elaborated on the procedure, which starts with medical consultation, followed by X-ray tests and MRI scans. The treatment plan includes preparing stem cells in certified laboratories, with the cells typically injected into the knee two weeks post-surgery. Recovery time varies based on injury severity.
The initiative has garnered support from the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Ministry of Higher Education (KPT), receiving grants from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) for expansion. Plans are underway for multi-centre trials involving eight public universities and the Public University Hospital Consortium (KHUAM), targeting about 500 patients. Positive results could position these universities as hubs for stem cell treatment within two to three years.
Sasha Omar underscored the importance of collaboration in drug development within the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical sectors, facilitating the translation of scientific research into clinical applications. He cited the Asia-Pacific Osteoarthritis Registry study, which revealed dissatisfaction among 70% of patients with conventional treatments like painkillers, steroids, surgery, and physiotherapy, as these do not modify the disease but only alleviate symptoms. The mission is to develop better, long-lasting treatments through regenerative medicine, providing a long-term solution to repair damaged cartilage in joints.