Singapore: Australia-based Cynata Therapeutics has made a breakthrough by devising a technique to mass manufacture stem cells from a drop of blood. The current method of stem cell manufacturing relies on deriving cells from bone marrow or fat cells, which is a risky and painful procedure.

Dr Ross Macdonald, CEO, Cynata Therapeutics, said, "The new process will help in tackling a wide range of diseases through the use of stem cells as it allows production of stem cells in large quantities, by using a minimally invasive procedure."

Dr Macdonald stated that human trials for the method will begin soon and the new method was developed after a decade of research at the University of Wisconsin. The procedure has been validated at the Waisman Biomanufacturing facility, he added.

"At this stage, we have not assesed the regulatory framework in Australia. The markets in the US, Europe and Asia are far more attractive, but Australia will certainly follow," he mentioned.