Estonia ready for stem cell treatment, but cost cosmic

Photo: Andres Haabu

Even with the special stem cell growing lab opened in Tallinn, last week, cell biologist and medical doctor Toomas Neuman admits that for locals, the treatment will remain out of reach for the time being – due to costs.

«There will probably be no money immediately available for that (stem cell treatment – edit) in Estonia’s medical system; even so, a new euro-directive is at the door and, as in Germany people are already aware of stem cell treatment, why not take the opportunity,» said he, hinting at the possibility that after entry into force, this fall, of the patients-free-movement-directive, the Tallinn lab will be preparing cell medicine for Europe’s wealthy.

As revealed by both American and European practice, a single stem cell procedure will cost €10,000-20,000. For contrast and comparison, he points at the contemporary cancer drugs costing €30,000-40,000. «Then, of course, the more widespread stem cell treatment becomes, the lower the prices will drop,» acknowledged Mr Neuman.

According to the scientist, cell medicaments already exist in the world, providing for the opportunity to start producing these here, even if upon licence. «Especially in cases where the medicament is prepared of the person’s own cells, it would make no sense sending a person’s fat cells to America – to be shipped back afterwards, by boat,» stated the scientist. In European Union, seven cell medicaments are currently registered, 15 in USA. 

According to the cell biologist, well-known analysts are convinced that in foreseeable future i.e. in some twenty years’ time stem cell treatment turnover will be exceeding that of the pharmaceutical industry. First and foremost, this will be used to repair joints, for instance.

«Currently, joints are allowed to fall apart to the degree that there is nothing left to repair; then, steel has to be installed,» said the man. With early and decent diagnostics, however, joints could be cured with stem cell medicine.

Another vast area, according to Mr Neuman, is post-infarct treatment, with which major clinical research is completed and plenty of experience had in its use. «The results are excellent – mortality decreases, recovery increases,» said the cell biologist.

In the future, diabetics also may profit from the cure. «The cells that produce insulin just up and die; at the same time, cells like that could be grown in the laboratory,» stated he, as example No 3.

Mr Neuman admitted that, to come out with the new treatment method, big money needs to be spent, the clinical trials being expensive. «To get a medicament into the EU register, it takes €100-200m. Where to get that money, I have no idea; even so, we are already developing these products,» said he.

«At the same time, with every step forward, investors take more notice,» he added. According to Mr Neuman, for the time being one stem cell lab will do for Estonia; even so, he would not exclude another one in Tartu, in five years or so. 

«It’s no rocket science; and with the development of personal medicine, applications become simpler and cheaper – why not,» said he. Labs of the kind do indeed exist elsewhere in Europe; however, ours will benefit from decent law.

«Some states have laws so stupid that nothing can be done, at all. This is our strength; to have the laws in place. For Europe, that’s unique,» added the scientist.