India is facing a rising incidence of metabolic, degenerative and autoimmune disorders, largely due to changing lifestyles and increasing environmental pollution. Conditions such as heart disease, stroke, chronic respiratory ailments, kidney disorders, diabetes and long-term inflammatory diseases are becoming more common, placing a significant emotional and financial strain on individuals, families and the healthcare system. In this context, growing evidence from global preclinical research and early-stage clinical studies indicates that stem cell–based therapies could offer promising solutions where existing treatments fall short.
To strengthen regenerative medicine within the public healthcare system, Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS), Hyderabad, has inaugurated a Stem Cell Laboratory Centre of Excellence. The facility was formally opened on Monday by Health Minister C. Damodar Raja Narasimha, in the presence of senior NIMS clinicians and representatives from Tulsi Therapeutics, the private partner that has set up the laboratory in collaboration with the institute.
Tulsi Therapeutics founder Sairam Atluri explained that the centre’s main role is to produce clinical-grade stem cells that may eventually be used in patients under strictly regulated clinical trials. He noted that the laboratory must first obtain clearance from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation before any treatment can begin. Once regulatory approvals are secured, the initial clinical trials are planned for patients with liver failure.
The Health Minister described stem cell therapy in simple terms, likening stem cells to seeds capable of growing into large trees. He said stem cells possess the unique ability to develop into different types of cells and tissues, offering the possibility of regenerating damaged organs and addressing diseases that currently have limited treatment options.
He also highlighted that stem cell therapies are presently available mainly in select private hospitals, where costs often run into several lakhs of rupees. The new centre at NIMS, he said, aims to make such advanced treatments more accessible and affordable, particularly for patients who rely on government-run healthcare facilities.