World-first stem cell therapy for acute stroke

We were delighted to welcome Victorian Minister for Health Jenny Mikakos MP to Monash Medical Centre this morning to meet a patient and researchers leading the world-first safety trial examining stem cells as therapy for acute stroke.

67 year old Kevin Baird arrived at Monash Medical Centre in February after suffering from a stroke. He experienced significant speech problems and arm weakness, and was unable to receive standard stroke treatments.

Kevin is the first patient to participate in the safety trial A/Prof Henry Ma, Director of Neurology and Prof Thanh Phan, Head of Stroke have been working on in collaboration with A/Prof Rebecca Lim from Hudson Institute of Medical Research and Professor Chris Sobey from La Trobe University to explore amniotic stem cells as a possible treatment for acute stroke patients.

Kevin has made a remarkable recovery since receiving the treatment and we are excited to see where this promising research leads in the future.