Overview

The press release dated Thursday, 10 September 2026 announces that a Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI)‑approved allogeneic bone‑marrow mesenchymal stem cell therapy, manufactured by Stempeutics Research and supplied by Cipla Ltd, has been introduced into clinical practice at Dr. Kamakshi Memorial Hospitals in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

Clinical Context

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is described as a common cause of pain, stiffness, reduced mobility and loss of function. Conventional management includes medication, physiotherapy, lifestyle changes and intra‑articular injections, while advanced disease often requires knee replacement surgery. For patients with mild to moderate disease (Grade II and Grade III), preserving the natural joint is preferred where clinically appropriate.

Key Personnel and Approach

Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Deepak Kumar K S, Chief Consultant – Orthopedic Surgeon, Knee Replacement and Mako Stryker Expert at Dr. Kamakshi Memorial Hospitals, advocates a “knee‑preservation‑first” strategy and evaluates each patient before considering replacement. He collaborated with Dr. Sathish Kumar Thangamani, Senior Assistant Professor at Stanley Medical College and consultant at the same hospital, who holds a fellowship in Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine. Together they administered the innovative allogeneic bone‑marrow‑derived mesenchymal stem cell therapy to carefully selected OA patients.

Therapy Details

The therapy leverages the anti‑inflammatory, immunomodulatory and cartilage‑protective properties of mesenchymal stem cells. It is positioned as a regenerative option situated between conservative care and surgical intervention, specifically for Grade II and Grade III knee OA patients. Individual treatment decisions remain dependent on disease severity and clinical assessment.

Regulatory Significance

The DCGI approval represents the first regulated stem‑cell therapy for knee osteoarthritis to be made available in Tamil Nadu, expanding the continuum of care in regenerative medicine.

Availability

Patients can access the therapy at Dr. Kamakshi Memorial Hospitals; further information is available on the hospital’s website (www.drkmh.com).