Stem Cells Inhibit Aging

The mass production of stem cell antiaging serum will begin in 2019. The product is claimed to be of similar quality and yet cheaper than those produced abroad. The center was registering its stem cell metabolite products at the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM).

KOMPAS/IQBAL BASYARI

Research, Technology and Higher Education Minister Mohammad Nasir (far left) witnesses the process of using anti-aging formula from stem cells at the Stem Cell Research and Development Center of Airlangga University in Surabaya, East Java, on Wednesday (11/7/2018).

SURABAYA, KOMPAS – The mass production of stem cell antiaging serum will begin in 2019. The product is claimed to be of similar quality and yet cheaper than those produced abroad.

Airlangga University Stem Cell Research and Development Center head Purwati said the center was registering its stem cell metabolite products at the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM). Once the registration is complete, the products will have a distribution license and mass production can begin at local drugmaker PT Phapros.

“After six years of research, the antiaging serum will be mass produced and distributed in early 2019,” Purwati said during the inauguration of the research and development center in Surabaya on Wednesday (11/7/2018).

Stem cells have the ability of asymmetrical division, which results in daughter cells that are different from the parent cell. There are two types of stem cells, namely autologous (derived from the same individual) and allogenic (derived from other individuals) (Kompas, 5/2/2018).

The antiaging formula created by Unair and the Dr. Soetomo General Hospital in Surabaya is claimed to be effective in inhibiting cell aging by inhibiting inflammation, stimulating cell rejuvenation, triggering collagen production and preventing cell death. The product is in the form of a serum to be dabbed on the face. “It is done under doctor’s supervision,” Purwati said.

Placenta

The stem cells used in the product are sourced from placenta, from babies and pregnant women. Before they are used to create the antiaging serum, the stem cells are first examined to ensure they are clean and free of bacteria and viruses. The stem cells are obtained through surgery. The locally produced antiaging serum is estimated to be five times cheaper than similar foreign products.

KOMPAS/IQBAL BASYARI

Research, Technology and Higher Education Minister Mohammad Nasir makes an inscription to inaugurate the Stem Cell Research and Development Center of Airlangga University in Surabaya, East Java, on Wednesday (11/7/2018). The center will focus on the development of downstream stem cell products.

The antiaging product has a huge market as many people want to have a youthful appearance. Industrial research by Unair’s School of Economics and Business shows that potential revenue from the product is Rp 18.6 trillion (US$1.29 billion) in 16 years. “We will be ready to produce 300 liters in 2019. Production may increase every year due to high demand,” Purwati said.

Stem cells are a new hope in medicine as international medicine development has switched from synthetic materials to biological ones. “This is in line with Industrial Revolution 4.0,” she said.

As of now, more than 600 patients are undergoing therapy with stem cells at Surabaya’s Dr. Soetomo General Hospital. Most of them are diabetes patients, whose health has improved by between 30 percent and 100 percent due to stem cell treatments.

Research, Technology and Higher Education Minister Mohamad Nasir said stem cell development had contributed to healthcare development. Since 2016, the ministry has helped stem cell research through development funding for research, laboratory infrastructure and human resources.

The budget for stem cell development has increased from Rp 2.9 billion in 2017 to Rp 9.3 billion in 2018. “We are focused on stem cell research to produce quality products that are similar to foreign products,” Nasir said.

(SYA)