Stem Foundation has been supporting local and national initiatives aimed at prevention of COVID transmission and treatment of COVID-19 patients.

In terms of prevention, the Foundation has distributed gloves, masks and sanitizers for free to various groups of people who were especially vulnerable to get infected.

In terms of treatment, the Foundation is currently supporting three initiatives that aimed at finding effective strategies to treat COVID-19 patients.

The first potential solution is aimed at early-stage patients with mild symptoms of the disease and without respiratory distress. This approach uses an immune-cell-derived cytokine treatment aimed at re-balancing the immune systems in COVID patients. Treatment at this stage is expected to aid the patient’s immune system in fighting the viral infection and prevent a viral overload that can take a toll on the patient’s health.

The second proposal is for mid stage disease, when patient exhibits increasing symptoms of the disease, but is not on ventilator. This approach uses convalescent plasma (CP) – the straw-coloured liquid part of blood obtained from COVID patients who have completely recovered. The theory behind using CP is that recovered patients may have significant levels of antibodies developed against the coronavirus. These antibodies are present in the plasma fraction of the blood, which can be obtained from recovered patients. Blood is separated into its components, the plasma (straw-coloured liquid) separated and infused into patients who are still suffering from the disease. The antibodies present in recovered patients will help fight the virus in un-recovered patients and improve their chances of recovery.

The third potential solution is for late-stage patients who progress to acute respiratory distress and lung inflammation and is based on the use of mesenchymal cells. Mesenchymal cells are known to possess anti-inflammatory, immuno-modulatory, and regenerative properties that can help alleviate symptoms of respiratory distress that are prevalent in late-stage COVID patients. Patients who are on assistedventilation may be helped by using mesenchymal cells. One paper was recently published by authors from multiple countries documenting the use of mesenchymal cells in seven late-stage COVID patients. The study showed marked improvement in symptoms after treatment. Another company from Israel has reported successful use of mesenchymal cells in seven patients.

The Foundation has backed these three proposals since we believe a comprehensive approach, like the one above, addresses problems associated with each stage of the disease. Each of these proposals have gone through the regulatory framework and two of the three have already been granted permission for clinical trial by the Drug Controller General India.

We request you to kindly donate to support the Foundation activities. Thank you

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