Stem Cell Plant to Bring Treatment to Thousands

TheraVitae to build semi-automated GMP cell manufacturing plant in Bangkok, Thailand.

Bangkok (PRWEB) October 13, 2005 -- TheraVitae, Ltd submitted plans to Thailand’s Board of Investment (BOI) for the construction of its first semi-automated GMP adult stem cell manufacturing facility in Bangkok, Thailand. The plant will enable TheraVitae to increase production of its autologous stem cell products in order to meet growing demand while simultaneously reducing the overall price of therapy to both hospitals and patients.

According to TheraVitae CEO Dr. Valentin Fulga, the factory is a significant step forward for the company and for Thailand as a leading country in the practical application of stem cell therapy. “We are reaching the capacity of our current laboratory to manufacture our VesCell™ product to treat heart disease. In order to meet this growing demand as well as to produce future products already in the pipeline, a large-scale automated production facility is required,” said Fulga. TheraVitae Founder Don Margolis explained the choice of Thailand saying, “The indispensable help of leaders in the Thai medical community such as Chaophya Hospital and Bangkok Heart Hospital has enabled us to make Thailand the world capital for stem cell treatment of heart disease. It only makes sense to locate our first large-scale cell manufacturing facility here.”

Completion of this large-scale facility will open a new era of stem cell therapy. “We see a future where our facilities are able to serve demand for all cellular products world-wide,” commented Fulga, “the need for cord banking and bone marrow harvesting should virtually disappear overnight once everyone has ready access to their own stem cells through a simple blood donation. This follows our basic mission to make stem cell therapy cost-effective and available to all.”

About VesCell

VesCell consists of a patient’s own adult stem cells harvested from approximately ½ pint of the patient’s own blood and is used to treat heart disorders. Once harvested, the cells are differentiated and expanded in vitro at the TheraVitae laboratories in Israel and are ready for implantation in about one week. The cellular product is a viable alternative for patients who either cannot undergo or choose not to undergo the standard revascularization treatments such as Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG).

About TheraVitae

TheraVitae is a private, multinational company focused on using stem cells from the patient's own blood in order to treat a variety of disorders, especially cardiovascular diseases. The company has developed a proprietary stem cell technology called VesCell that is currently being used by hospitals in Thailand to treat patients with heart disease. TheraVitae is based in Bangkok, Thailand, Kiryat Weizmann, Israel, and Hong Kong.

TheraVitae, Ltd.

36/72 PS Tower, 21/Fl.,

Sukhumvit 21, Klongtoey Nua,

Bangkok 10110

Thailand

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