Cipla partners with Stempeutics, launches stem cell therapy for knee osteoarthritis

New Delhi: Cipla Limited has announced the launch of Ciplostem,an innovative allogeneic mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) therapy for Knee Osteoarthritis (Knee OA), approved by the Drug Controller General of India(DCGI). Developed by Stempeutics Research, the therapy offers a disease-modifying treatment option targeting Grade II and III Knee OA and marksa significant advancement in Cipla’s entry into Orthobiologic medicine.

Knee OA is a chronic, progressive degenerative joint disease affecting more than 48.4 million people in India as of 2021, with a rising prevalence even among younger populations. Current standard treatments primarily offer short-term relief through painkillers, viscosupplementation, or physiotherapy,often leaving a critical unmet need for therapies that target disease progression.

Ciplostem is a single-dose intra-articular injection (directly into the knee joint) comprising 25 million ex vivo expanded, pooled, cultured adult human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs), co-administered with hyaluronic acid. Designed to work at the cellular level, this therapyreduces inflammation and pain, enhances joint function, and helps preserve cartilage quality for patients with Grade II and III knee osteoarthritis.

Commenting on the launch, Dr. Jaideep Gogtay, Global Chief Medical Officer, Cipla said, “At Cipla, our focus continues to remain on moving upthe innovation curve and delivering next-generation therapies that improve overall patient outcomes. With Ciplostem, our aim is to bring a scientificallyvalidated cell therapy option into everyday clinical practice, which significantly reduces pain, preserves joint function and enhances mobility for up to 2 yearsafter administration in knee OA.”

“At Stempeutics, our efforts have always been focused at developing therapies that address disease fundamentally. Ciplostem sets a new benchmark in regenerative medicine, reflecting years of dedicated research and robust Phase 3 evidence. We are pleased to partner with Cipla to extend the reach of this stem cell therapy in India, transforming scientific innovation into tangible patient impact,” added BN Manohar, MD & CEO, Stempeutics Research.

Through this launch, Cipla and Stempeutics reaffirm their collective focus on science- driven progress in chronic disease management, offering a next-generation joint preservation therapy aimed at improving patients’ everyday lives.