World’s First Stem Cell Drug Prochymal Now Approved

Stem cell research continues to grow in a wide dimension with health experts seeing better chances of making a bone marrow transplant medicine to become available for the public. Just recently Health Canada gave clearance to Osiris Therapuetics, Inc. to market their stem cell drug, Prochymal. This is the world’s first stem cell drug to become available in the market. Prochymal is used as a stem cell therapy drug for acute graft versus host disorder (GvHD) among children. The condition afflicts about 80% of children diagnosed with the condition within weeks. Cancer experts are pleased to see the developments on the modern stem cell technologies with the birth of the first stem cell drug that is now available for children who are beginning to lose hope with their condition. Oncology experts are optimistic that this first step towards the availability of the off-the-shelf stem cell therapy drug to physicians will enhance their ability to fight off cancer and other bone marrow diseases. According to Business Wire, Prochymal met the Health Canada’s notice of compliance with condition pathway that allows therapeutic products to be under clinical trials. An expert advisory committee recommended the approval of the stem cell therapy drug after indicating its efficacy and safety. The drug is viable to use among children with GvHD who are unresponsive to steroid therapy.