India Pharma Outlook Team | Friday, 14 August 2026
Osteoarthritis treatment could see a new stem cell-based approach after Bengaluru-based Stempeutics Research secured a US patent.
The patent covers a combination therapy using mesenchymal stromal cells and hyaluronic acid.
The osteoarthritis treatment approach involves ultrasound-guided delivery of the therapy directly into the affected joint.
It combines pooled mesenchymal stromal cells with mid-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid. The patent was granted in the US on June 23, 2026.
The patented approach focuses on treating osteoarthritis through an intra-articular injection. The therapy uses mesenchymal stromal cells, which are a type of adult stem cell.
The combination with hyaluronic acid is designed to support treatment inside the joint. The patent also describes ways to increase anti-inflammatory markers and reduce markers linked to disease progression.
The patent lists Pawan Kumar Gupta, Udaykumar Kolkundkar, Shivashankar Parashuram, and Suresh Kannan Subramanian Shanmugam as inventors.
"Our focus on innovation is guided by our strong sense of responsibility to address unmet patient needs and obtaining a US patent f is an important and historic milestone for Stempeutics. It sets a new benchmark in regenerative medicine, reflecting years of dedicated research and robust Phase 3 evidence," said Manohar BN, MD & CEO of Stempeutics.
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The US patent adds to Stempeutics' work in regenerative medicine and cell-based therapies. The company develops therapeutics based on adult stem cells. Its flagship product, Stempeucel, uses pooled allogeneic mesenchymal stromal cells derived from the bone marrow of healthy adult volunteers.
Stempeutics has also developed Stempeucel for knee osteoarthritis. The company says its knee osteoarthritis program includes a Phase 3, randomized, double-blind, multicenter study. The trial evaluates safety and efficacy following intra-articular administration.
The company says its scientists have filed more than 100 patents globally. More than 50 patents have already been granted, according to its website.
Osteoarthritis is commonly linked to progressive cartilage loss and joint damage. Current treatments often focus on controlling pain and improving joint function. Stempeutics' approach is aimed at a regenerative medicine strategy rather than only symptom control. Its Stempeucel program focuses on the potential anti-inflammatory effects of mesenchymal stromal cells.
The company also says these cells may support cartilage repair through chondrogenic differentiation. They may also signal resident cells involved in cartilage regeneration. The US patent does not mean the therapy is automatically available as a new treatment in the United States. Patent protection covers the claimed technology. Regulatory approval and clinical evidence remain separate requirements.
For Stempeutics, however, the patent strengthens its intellectual property position in the global regenerative medicine market. It also adds another development milestone for its stem cell-based osteoarthritis portfolio.
