The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THE Okyanos Cell Therapy facility in Freeport has been in operation for the past year as the first licensed stem cell therapy provider in The Bahamas.

The centre has been treating patients with chronic diseases by using their own stem cells from fat tissue. This October marked its first anniversary and the founders of the centre said the treatments have improved patients’ quality life.

Okyanos co-founder and CEO Matthew Feshbach said the company’s goal is “to provide patients with the most advanced technology for separating their own stem cells from adipose (fat) tissue, combined with imaging, delivery and monitoring technology to ensure that Okyanos’ patients have the highest standard of safety and care.”

He added: “Our ability to help patients suffering from chronic, degenerative diseases is a point of pride for the team.”

According to a statement issued by the centre, Okyanos patients have benefited from use of the most advanced technology available for cell processing—the internationally-approved Celution 800 IV system, which provides the highest yield of therapeutic cells and has been approved for safe delivery into the vascular system including the heart.

“Okyanos is the first true cell therapy centre of excellence in the world,” said Dr Eric Duckers, chairman of the Okyanos Medical Advisory Council and a recognised leader in regenerative medicine research.

“This purpose-built facility is ideal for patients with autoimmune, orthopaedic, cardiovascular and neurological conditions to safely receive the highest possible therapeutic dose of ADRCs (adipose derived regenerative cells) due to their technological investments,” he added.

Okyanos has also established leadership in the cell therapy field by demonstrating the ability to treat patients with complex conditions, in many cases involving more than one degenerative disease.

Mr Feshback said Okyanos has also started to contribute to the advancement of cell therapy research, having just recently completed the initial stages of a privately funded study of patients with progressive multiple sclerosis, many of whom are now in post-treatment follow-up.