Health Care : Current Reviews

Limbal stem cells deficiency management: A new treatment option and approach for limbal cell deficiency

30^th Global Healthcare Summit

March 14-15, 2024 | London, UK

Cecilia Marinova

Medasol S.r.o., Czechia

Keynote: Health Care Curr Re

Abstract:

Moving towards personalized medicine brings a new topic of finding and guiding the patients for the highly specific treatment. In ophthalmology, such treatment is cell therapy Holoclar, approved for use in adult patients with moderate-to-severe limbal stem-cell deficiency caused by trauma (burns, chemical burns to the eyes). While the awareness of such a rare disorder is usually high, the awareness about the approved treatment and its accessibility is low, with few diagnosed patients spread around the country. It takes a significant effort and time allocation to establish a qualified Holoclar treatment center (HTC). The efficacy of HTC is reflected in the number of treated patients. We evaluated new approaches, to improve accessibility and commercial sustainability for Holoclar. We mapped the new patient pathway, the role of cooperation, network and coordination among centers. The team focused on the accessibility of Holoclar across the country. All centers could send patients to the Holoclar center directly without limitation. To allow a higher number of patients to be treated, Medasol team successfully implemented a novel approach: the patient-doctor tandem to travel and utilize the already established HTC. Once Medasol joined the efforts, the selected HTC was certified. Patients were eager to initiate the treatment. From 91 patients diagnosed, 10 were eligible and treated with Holoclar. Three treated patients came from Brno outpatient clinic and seven patients were previously treated in other specialized cornea focus centers and traveled with their attending doctor - surgeon, in tandem. When looking for efficiency, it is imperative to appoint an experienced driver to certify and maintain HTC. The effective network of cooperative clinics increased patient flow from the first contact ophthalmology clinics. The involvement of an external surgery team required more careful procedure planning and additional documents, but this extra workload was managed by Medasol external support team.

Biography :

Cecilia Marinova MD, MBA, a doctor with a specialization in paediatrics. Founder and CEO of Medasol, she leads projects to implement personalized medicine including in cell& gene therapy into practice. Medasol focuses on commercialization for specialty and rare disorders with over 30 business partners on +120 projects Once Medasol joined the effort to treat limbal stem-cell deficiency and launch Holoclar Medasol firstly focused on the Holoclar Center’s qualification, related documents and contracts. Once qualified, the focus was to increase the availability of Holoclar treatment across the country Cecilia has a track record of a successful start-up, introduction, maintenance of a new treatment, and breakthroughs in areas such as cystic fibrosis, and metachromatic leukodystrophy.