Many term the world’s first trials of this kind as a modern take on the classical Frankenstein theory of resuscitation of the dead.
Geeta Jotwani, a senior official with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) told the Science Magazine about several regulatory lapses in the trial. These include failure to take permission from the Drug Controller General of India.
“Now that ICMR has deregistered ReAnima, the Drug Controller General of India must stop the trial immediately,’’ she said.
The project was a joint-venture between a Philadelphia-based biotech company and a hospital in a little known Himalayan town of Rudrapur.
Bioquark, a US-based biotech firm, had agreed to supply specialized chemicals that may help regenerate brain cells.
However, the doctor, Himanshu Bansal, says ICMR is overstepping its jurisdiction and the matter rests with the drug controller. CEO of the US firm Bioquark, Ira Pastor, also believes that the setback won’t stop the project. If necessary the trials may be moved outside India. “Many road blocks, no doubt, will pop up. But the project will go on,” Pastor said.