Dr Yvonne Holt, Chief Medical Officer at Next Biosciences, next to a cryogenic tank used to safely store cord blood and cord tissue for future therapeutic and regenerative medicine applications
SOUTH African patients are increasingly turning to regenerative medicine and cell-based therapies derived from umbilical cord tissue in the hope of addressing chronic, degenerative and immune-related conditions that can be difficult to treat with conventional medicine.
Once considered experimental, these therapies are now the subject of expanding clinical research globally. The field of regenerative medicine focuses not only on managing symptoms, but on exploring whether the body’s own biological processes can be supported to repair and regenerate damaged tissue.
At the centre of this work are mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which are found in umbilical cord tissue collected at birth. Researchers say early clinical studies and medical experience suggest these cells may play a role in reducing inflammation and supporting tissue repair, although most applications remain in the research or clinical trial phase rather than standard medical care.
According to Dr Yvonne Holt, Chief Medical Officer at Next Biosciences, a key development in the field is the understanding that not all stem cells serve the same biological function.
