“We have developed both short and long-term strategies for research and development in stem cell. The government, in the next two months, will release Rs 2 crore towards strengthening stem cell research in the country,” Union Minister for Science and Technology Kapil Sibal told reporters here today.

The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) will invest Rs 25 crore in the next two months for strengthening stem cell research in the country, Kapil Sibal announced.

The main features of the strategy is to promote stem cell research for therapeutic applications using adult and embryonic stem cells as well as other more readily available sources such as bone marrow, peripheral blood and umblical cord blood cells.

”The strategy includes etablishment of infrastructure, capacity building, city cluster programmes,basic reearch, centres of excellence, national and international training programmes, road map etc,” he said.

Mr Sibal said it had been decided to support both clinical and basic research on stem cells simultaneously.

Accordingly, the DBT had constituted four separate committees — Human Studies Committee for evaluation and guidance for clinical research, National Bioethics Committee to ascertain rigid ethical guidelines being followed while conducting research on human beings, Task Force on Stem Cells to evaluate basic research and also recommend funding for clinical research and Programme Advisory Committee.

On short-term strategies, he said the government would help strengthen research activities on mononuclear cells as they do not cause immune rejection.

“We will accredit four-five companies to produce drugs following international guidelines on Good manufacturing Processes so that we get quality material, which is acceptable in foreign markets as well,” Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, M K Bhan said.

“Companies would require a clearance from the Drug Controller General of India’s office before manufacturing a drug.”

Under the long-term strategies, the government is working towards creating centres of excellence across the country to help carry out Mesenchymal stem cell based research programme, he said. Link