25 August 2017 - Chiesi's Holoclar, the first stem-cell therapy to be cleared by European regulators, has received a green light for use on the NHS in England and Wales to treat a rare sight condition.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has now published final guidelines backing Holoclar as an option to treat adults with moderate to severe limbal stem cell deficiency after eye burns.
However, the guidelines state the therapy can only be used to treat one eye and in those who have already had a conjunctival limbal autograft, or there is not enough tissue for a conjunctival limbal autograft or it is contra-indicated.