News
In-utero stem cell therapy for fetal spina bifida repair is safe, study finds BHR Biosynex appoints
A phase 1 clinical trial published in The Lancet has shown that combining stem cell therapy with standard fetal surgery before birth is a safe and promising approach to treat myelomeningocele, a severe form of spina bifida. This is the first time live stem cells have been used on a fetus’ damaged spine, which could potentially lead to better health outcomes for babies compared to traditional fetal surgery. Spina bifida is a congenital condition in which the spinal cord does not develop properly, leaving part of it exposed. This can cause lifelong health challenges, including paralysis, difficulty walking, and issues with bladder and bowel control. Current treatments involve surgery during pregnancy to close the spinal opening, which can reduce some complications but often does not prevent all neurological problems. In the trial, six pregnant women with fetuses diagnosed with spina bifida underwent standard fetal surgery plus an additional step where surgeons applied cells from the placenta - called placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells (PMSCs) - directly onto the exposed spinal cord during the surgery. These cells are known for their ability to reduce inflammation, promote healing, and protect nerve tissue.
All six babies, who were born between July 2021 and December 2022, had their spinal repairs intact and showed no signs of infection, abnormal tissue growth, or tumour formation. Post-birth MRI scans confirmed that brain abnormalities associated
with spina bifida, called hindbrain herniation, were reversed in every case.
In addition, the infants experienced no serious adverse effects attributable to the stem cell treatment during the trial and through follow-up care. The children in this trial will be carefully monitored, with regular check-ups and assessments, until they turn six. This long-term follow-up will help researchers confirm that the stem cell treatment remains safe and improves children’s mobility, health, and quality of life as they grow.
Additional large-scale, long-term clinical trials
are underway to further refine surgical techniques and treatment protocols. These studies aim to confirm that children who receive this therapy experience benefits at birth, improved mobility, and a better quality of life. Throughout this process, regulatory agencies will work closely with the research team to carefully monitor safety and effectiveness. The researchers aim to establish this stem
cell therapy as a safe and standard option for fetal repair of spina bifida, providing new hope for families affected by this condition worldwide. They say these results represent a major milestone in the field of in-utero stem cell treatment for birth defects, paving the way for future advances using stem cells during fetal surgery to address other congenital conditions. Visit:
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/ lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(25)02466-3/fulltext
new UK & Ireland country manager
BHR Biosynex, a leading provider of point- of-care diagnostic solutions and home-use healthcare products, is pleased to announce the appointment of Adam Martin as Country Manager for the UK & Ireland. Adam will be responsible for leading BHR
Biosynex’s commercial strategy across the UK and Ireland, overseeing continued growth across point-of-care testing solutions for healthcare professionals alongside the company’s expanding portfolio of home-use, self-care and OTC healthcare products. This includes supporting the ongoing introduction of additional Biosynex Pharma brands into the UK & Ireland market. He brings extensive experience in healthcare sales leadership, market development and strategic partnership building, with a strong track record of driving growth.
Adam Martin commented: “I am proud to be joining such a great company at a pivotal time and to be leading such an experienced, incredible team. Point-of-care testing is being utilised across the UK and Ireland healthcare system in increasing varied locations and the addition of the OTC and self-test products compliments the offerings to both healthcare professionals and consumers. We are in for an exciting journey.”
Extra funding to advance Scotland’s robotic ambitions
Fresh government investment into robotic surgery adoption across NHS Scotland is expected to further transform patient outcomes and ease waiting list pressures. InnoScot Health, an organisation that works in partnership with NHS Scotland to support innovation, says the game-changing investment of £25m to date has been vital to efficiency by easing waiting times and freeing up inpatient beds, while allowing for more advanced treatment than was previously possible. The organisation’s Executive Chair, Graham
Watson, said: “It is great news that NHS Forth Valley has now secured £2.5m of government funding to follow other health boards by introducing Da Vinci robotic-assisted surgery (RAS). This is expected to enhance the delivery of complex surgery across colorectal, gynaecology and urology services, including cancer care. Since the Scottish Government first revealed plans five years ago to
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start rolling out the adoption of surgical robots, significant progress has been made, including 10,000 patients benefitting from RAS – a milestone for NHS Scotland which was announced this time last year. Every board which has been able to enjoy the benefits of RAS has similar success stories to report. The direction of travel is now clear – transforming patient outcomes, easing waiting list pressures, enhancing equity of access – and eventually RAS will become the standard for many operations, supplementing the country’s expert
surgeons. There is so much potential, including AI integration to enhance imaging, analyse patient data for optimal personalised approaches, and support more autonomous, complex, and remote procedures.” Another milestone was celebrated by University Hospital Hairmyres (UHH) last year when its surgical team completed its 500th procedure since RAS was introduced to the hospital in 2022. NHS Ayrshire and Arran has been a pioneer in robotic- assisted gynaecology surgery after launching the programme in 2023, delivering cutting-edge, minimally invasive treatment to more than 400 women since then, with more than 95 per cent able to return home the same day. Scotland has also led the way in executing the first clinical cases of robotic aortic valve replacement (AVR) through a tiny incision in the neck, and this approach could potentially be applied to a wide range of cardiothoracic procedures.
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