Mister Stem Cells April 24, 2007

Posted by TheraVitae in : VesCell in the News , trackback

His patients frequently go from wheelchair to golf course, from sickbed back to work, from sentence of death to a healthier and longer life. This is what motivates the dynamic leader of Theravitae, Thailand, Narin Apichairuk, better known as Jimmy.

Bangkok Heart Hospital is a fitting place to be interviewing the leader of a biotechnology company. Its state-of-the-art facilities look more like a five star hotel than a hospital and it bristles from reception to operating theater with the latest in high tech care for patients. He’s very much at home in this setting as he comes from a medical family and his company’s stem cell technology places it at the forefront of cutting-edge care for patients with failing hearts or Peripheral Artery Disease.

Born in the USA of Thai parents, Jimmy graduated in Health Administration from the University of Illinois and then returned to Bangkok to study Business Administration at SASIN. “I’ve always been a techno geek, fascinated by the latest in technology. I’m intrigued at how new technologies can be accepted and integrated into the daily lives of people, he enthused. “To be at the forefront, to be a pioneer, the first to know and to be able to witness the miraculous is energizing and fuels my passion.”

However, his career path did not start with the medical applications of the latest in research and technology. He has an entrepreneurial flair and exercised that in the pursuit of starting new companies leading to the opportunity to become President of Theravitae. Now he gets his buzz not only from technology but from applying technology to saving lives. “It has changed my life, helping people to walk, to be free of pain and to live a fuller, richer life. I know I am here on earth for a short time only. My mark will be that I played a role in saving, extending and significantly improving the quality of life for many people. It gives my life meaning.”

Theravitae is changing lives by is helping no-option heart patients return to a quality of life they thought they had lost forever. When some are told by a cardiologist that a heart transplant is their last hope, as they have exhausted conventional medical and surgical treatment, and faced with the reality that heart donors are few and far between, these patients reach out for whoever they believe can help them. Others come because they are tired of living a severely restricted life due to heart disease.

Adult stem cell therapies are not new. Bone marrow stem cells have been used for years to help leukemia patients. Jimmy’s company, on the other hand, uses an easier method of obtaining stem cells. In a painless and simple procedure, the stem cells are collected from the patients’ own blood, just like an ordinary blood donation. The blood is sent to a laboratory where the stem cells are removed from the blood then multiplied to produce over 1000 times the original amount of stem cells. Then the patient’s own stem cells are injected back into the failing heart muscle or blocked artery. Here they go to work repairing damaged tissue and revascularizing the area, thus improving blood flow. The results are increased blood flow, less pain and an improved quality of life.

Thailand currently leads the world in providing stem cell therapies for heart patients. “Theravitae currently uses four hospitals for their patients; Bangkok Heart Hospital, Chaophya Hospital, the Phayathai Hospital group and Rama 9 Hospital. These partner hospitals provide a level of expertise and care that is truly world-class,” Jimmy said. He further mentions that the new laboratory will supply stem cells to offices in Singapore and Taiwan. Being in rapid expansion, the company is excited that their treatments will be offered in regional hospitals as well.

“As more people learn about stem cells and due to our successful treatment of hundreds of patients, the demand for our services is sky-rocketing,” Jimmy said. “We have presented our clinical trial study to the American Heart Association, where 80 percent of patients experienced symptom reduction and were more energetic and active than before stem cell therapy. Not only do our patients gain functionally in their daily lives and activities, but clinical tests support their improvement. This is fantastic news as our company exists to improve the quality of life of all our patients and to save as many lives as possible.”

Theravitae as a company is being propelled into rapid growth and development as the word spreads that adult stem cell therapy is a safe and effective mainstream medical therapy. “Just in the last few days we have signed a contract to build the largest stem cell factory in the world and it’ll be right here in Thailand! By the end of June we will have a 2000 square meter facility located at Amata Industrial Estates that can produce 7,000 individual stem cell treatments. That means that we could potentially treat 7,000 seriously ill people each year. The lab will employ up to 300 people and that is of immense importance to us. We want to be able to give something back to our community,” he said. Other moves in the pipeline include listing on the SET in the second quarter of 2008, investments from partner hospitals and more excitingly new therapies for MS, stroke (CVA), Parkinsonism and diabetes.

At present most patients come to Bangkok from overseas. Thus, they contribute to what is a rapidly growing local medical tourism industry. “Medical tourism earns a growing amount in foreign exchange for Thailand and it will continue to grow. Hospital care and treatment is prohibitively expensive in many countries and Thailand is blessed with hospitals, equipment and staff expertise that most countries envy. We have US-trained doctors guided by the ethical standards of the Medical Council of Thailand. We are very lucky to be able to provide the best,” Jimmy said.

Jimmy’s life has certainly changed, but he retains his warmth, openness, and good humor. Despite his punishing schedule he radiates an energy and commitment that is contagious. He talks in machine gun bursts about a recent symposium that attracted some 250 attendees, mainly doctors, to share their knowledge and to learn more about using adult stem cells to treat diseases. He is constantly called on his mobile and manages a whirlwind list of appointments with doctors, scientist and government officials On top of this he has to make administrative decisions and leads a team in the office, but he does not forget to meet and listen to the stories of as many patients as he can, because, “They are so appreciative of what we are doing to help them and their stories are so touching. They keep me motivated.”

He left the writer feeling exhausted as he spun off to another appointment. And it’s all about caring for seriously ill people with integrity and compassion – giving them the realistic hope that they can be helped, right here and right now. He so rightfully deserves the title of “Mister Stem Cells”.

Jon Whyte