(a) the number of companies n the country doing Stem Cell Research, State-wise ;
(b) whether the Government has allocated any money for the above research;
(c) whether the State Government are participating in the research work; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE ( DR.ANBUMANI RAMADOSS)
(a) to (d): As per the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) only two companies are involved in Stem Cell Research viz. Reliance Life Sciences, Mumbai and Life Cell, Kilakottiyur near Chennai. Reliance Life Sciences established south Asia`s first Umbilical Cord Blood Repository in June, 2000. Recently Asia Cryo-Cell Pvt Ltd. based at Chennai in collaboration with Florida based Cryo-Cell International has set up its first Umbilical Cord blood Stem cell Bank `Life Cell` which has its collection centres at Ahmedabad, Delhi, Hyderabad and Mumbai, with plans to set up more centers in 24 cities in next 24 months. ICMR has also reported that as per media reports Cryo-Cell in Bangalore has recently signed agreement with Malaysia. Apollo Hospital, Chennai is also reportedly in the process of signing an Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Histo Stem Inc. Delavare, US. Government has not allocated any money to these centers.