UKM makes history with Malaysia's first successful stem cell trials for knee osteoarthritis

KUALA LUMPUR, May 5 — Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) created history when it became the first institution in the country to successfully carry out clinical trials of stem cell treatment for patients with knee osteoarthritis, thus marking a new chapter in the field of regenerative medicine.
KL Orthosports Sdn Bhd (KL Orthosports) chief executive officer Assoc Prof Datuk Dr Badrul Akmal Hisham said the treatment, which uses mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) obtained from umbilical cords, began in 2016 involving six patients and all have recovered and returned to normal life.
'Alhamdulillah, from 2016 until today, I have seen positive progress and I'm confident this treatment can be highlighted officially so that it benefits society and patients.
'As a national university, we are the only institution with proven and approved clinical trials on stem cell treatment, and we are committed to championing this cause,' he said.
He told Bernama this after the exchange of agreement documents between KL Orthosport Sdn Bhd and Celler Therapeutics Sdn Bhd and the launch of the Malaysian Stem Cell Awareness Network here today.
Also present were the Dean of UKM Faculty of Medicine Prof Dr Marina Mat Baki, Celler Therapeutics Sdn Bhd director Sasha Omar Firdaus Amir Nordin and two former knee osteoarthritis patients who received the stem cell treatment — Khairul Ikram Kamarul Bahrin and Mohammad Faizul Abdul Gaffar.
KL Orthosports is a UKM start-up company that has obtained the licensing rights to UKM's innovation, allowing it to be commercialised and widely utilised, while Celler Therapeutics Sdn Bhd is a biopharmaceutical company that has expertise in stem cell production and therapy.
Elaborating, Dr Badrul Akmal said the procedure begins with medical consultation, followed by X-ray tests and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans before the treatment is planned, including the preparation of cell stems in certified laboratories.
'After surgery has been performed, usually stem cells will be injected into the knee after two weeks and the recovery period depends on the severity of the injury,' he said.
He added that the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Ministry of Higher Education (KPT) have identified the initiative for expansion and enhancement through grants provided under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI).
'InsyaAllah, eight public universities, including medical universities and the Public University Hospital Consortium (KHUAM), will combine to conduct multi-centre trials and we will focus on about 500 patients.
'From there we will see, if it produces positive results, perhaps in two or three years these universities of KHUAM will become a place for patients to seek stem cell treatment,' he said.
Meanwhile, Sasha Omar emphasised that collaboration is essential to drug development in both the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical sectors as it helps translate scientific research into practical clinical applications.
He also referenced a recent study conducted in the region called the Asia-Pacific Osteoarthritis Registry, which found that 70 per cent of patients treated for osteoarthritis were dissatisfied with conventional treatments such as painkillers, steroids, surgery and physiotherapy.
He noted that none of these conventional treatments modify the disease in any way; they only help alleviate its symptoms.
'This is what drives us. We are here today with a mission to create better and more lasting treatments through regenerative medicine, offering a long-term solution that helps the patient's body repair damaged cartilage in their joints,' he said. — Bernama

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

The Star

3 days ago

• The Star

Dr Wan Azizah calls for stronger regional collaboration to tackle healthcare challenges

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister's wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail on Friday (June 20) called for stronger regional collaboration in the medical sector to address shared healthcare challenges, particularly the growing burden of musculoskeletal and spinal disorders across the Asia-Pacific. She said such cooperation is essential in overcoming a wide range of regional health issues, from ageing population and increasing demand for care to emerging diseases and rapid technological shifts. "Our region is home to over half of the world's population. The scale of musculoskeletal and spinal disorders is vast and growing. "From congenital deformities in children to degenerative conditions in the elderly, the need for advanced, affordable and accessible care has never been greater," she said. Officiating the 14th Combined Meeting of the Asia Pacific Spine Society (APSS), Asia Pacific Paediatric Orthopaedic Society (APPOS), and Malaysian Spine Society (MSS) (APSS-APPOS-MSS) 2025 Congress here today, Dr Wan Azizah said platform like this are vital to help drive solutions, as they promote research, foster dialogue and strenghthen regional networks that transcend borders and disciplines. As the world enters the era of digital health, artificial intelligence and personalised medicine, she noted, gatherings that pool regional expertise have become even more critical. "We must ensure that while we embrace innovation, we do not lose the human touch. Our patients are not just case numbers or MRI scans, (but) they are people with stories, families, hopes and fears. And the best medicine is one that combines cutting-edge science with deep empathy," she said. Dr Wan Azizah, who studied medicine at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, also underscored that Malaysia's role as host reflects its commitment to regional healthcare advancement and its long-standing belief in knowledge sharing and cross-border cooperation. "Our healthcare professionals have consistently demonstrated their ability to engage at the regional and global level, as researchers, practitioners and thought leaders," she said. The APSS-APPOS-MSS 2025 Congress, held from today until Sunday, convenes 1,232 delegates, including 1,014 spine specialists and 218 paediatric orthopaedic experts from across the Asia Pacific. With participation from 62 healthcare companies, the three-day congress serves as a strategic platform to promote innovation, education and research under the theme "Building the Foundation to Embrace Emerging Technologies." - Bernama

New Straits Times

3 days ago

• New Straits Times

Dr Wan Azizah: Stronger regional unity needed to tackle Asia-Pacific health woes

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister's wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail today called for stronger regional collaboration in the medical sector to address shared healthcare challenges, particularly the growing burden of musculoskeletal and spinal disorders across the Asia-Pacific. She said such cooperation was essential in overcoming a wide range of regional health issues, from ageing population and increasing demand for care to emerging diseases and rapid technological shifts. "Our region is home to over half of the world's population. The scale of musculoskeletal and spinal disorders is vast and growing. From congenital deformities in children to degenerative conditions in the elderly, the need for advanced, affordable and accessible care has never been greater," she said. Officiating the 14th Combined Meeting of the Asia Pacific Spine Society (APSS), Asia Pacific Paediatric Orthopaedic Society (APPOS), and Malaysian Spine Society (MSS) (APSS-APPOS-MSS) 2025 Congress here today, Dr Wan Azizah said platform like this were vital to help drive solutions, as they promote research, foster dialogue and strengthen regional networks that transcend borders and disciplines. As the world enters the era of digital health, artificial intelligence and personalised medicine, she said that gatherings that pooled regional expertise had become even more critical. "We must ensure that while we embrace innovation, we do not lose the human touch. Our patients are not just case numbers or MRI scans, (but) they are people with stories, families, hopes and fears. And the best medicine is one that combines cutting-edge science with deep empathy," she said. Dr Wan Azizah, who studied medicine at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, also underscored that Malaysia's role as host reflected its commitment to regional healthcare advancement and its long-standing belief in knowledge sharing and cross-border cooperation. "Our healthcare professionals have consistently demonstrated their ability to engage at the regional and global level, as researchers, practitioners and thought leaders," she said. The APSS-APPOS-MSS 2025 Congress, held from today until Sunday, convenes 1,232 delegates, including 1,014 spine specialists and 218 paediatric orthopaedic experts from across the Asia Pacific. With participation from 62 healthcare companies, the three-day congress serves as a strategic platform to promote innovation, education and research under the theme "Building the Foundation to Embrace Emerging Technologies."

Barnama

3 days ago

• Barnama

Dr Wan Azizah Calls For Stronger Regional Collaboration To Tackle Healthcare Challenges

KUALA LUMPUR, June 20 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister's wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail today called for stronger regional collaboration in the medical sector to address shared healthcare challenges, particularly the growing burden of musculoskeletal and spinal disorders across the Asia-Pacific. She said such cooperation is essential in overcoming a wide range of regional health issues, from ageing population and increasing demand for care to emerging diseases and rapid technological shifts. 'Our region is home to over half of the world's population. The scale of musculoskeletal and spinal disorders is vast and growing. From congenital deformities in children to degenerative conditions in the elderly, the need for advanced, affordable and accessible care has never been greater,' she said. Officiating the 14th Combined Meeting of the Asia Pacific Spine Society (APSS), Asia Pacific Paediatric Orthopaedic Society (APPOS), and Malaysian Spine Society (MSS) (APSS-APPOS-MSS) 2025 Congress here today, Dr Wan Azizah said platform like this are vital to help drive solutions, as they promote research, foster dialogue and strenghthen regional networks that transcend borders and disciplines. As the world enters the era of digital health, artificial intelligence and personalised medicine, she noted, gatherings that pool regional expertise have become even more critical. 'We must ensure that while we embrace innovation, we do not lose the human touch. Our patients are not just case numbers or MRI scans, (but) they are people with stories, families, hopes and fears. And the best medicine is one that combines cutting-edge science with deep empathy,' she said. Dr Wan Azizah, who studied medicine at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, also underscored that Malaysia's role as host reflects its commitment to regional healthcare advancement and its long-standing belief in knowledge sharing and cross-border cooperation. 'Our healthcare professionals have consistently demonstrated their ability to engage at the regional and global level, as researchers, practitioners and thought leaders,' she said. The APSS-APPOS-MSS 2025 Congress, held from today until Sunday, convenes 1,232 delegates, including 1,014 spine specialists and 218 paediatric orthopaedic experts from across the Asia Pacific.