Patient given Holoclar

The first patient has received treatment with Holoclar, a stem based therapy. Holoclar, which is an advanced treatment called ‘tissue engineered product’, is a layer of cells developed from cells taken from a patient’s eye during biopsy. The treatment is used on patients with LSCD, triggered by chemical eye burns. The condition affects the eyes, and symptoms of burning, inflammation, chronic pain, corneal neovascularisation and loss of vision will occur if LSCD isn’t treated. Cells are taken during the biopsy, from there they are moved to a manufacturing facility. Lastly, they are grown in a culture which is distinctive in order to produce a new layer of healthy tissue. Once 50 days has passed, the healthy tissue is brought back to the treating hospital and a surgeon implants it into the injured eye, resulting in repair and healing.

The UK Managing Director of Chiesi, Tom Delahoyde, said: “This first NHS treatment marks a major milestone for those people with LSCD due to physical or chemical burns and we look forward to many more eligible patients benefiting from such a ground breaking therapy. Chiesi would like to thank NHS England and the approved Trusts for their support on setting up this new service in the NHS over the last two years and reaching this milestone today.”