Cord Blood Registry Reports Strong Growth

SAN BRUNO, Calif., (May 2, 2005) /PRNewswire/-- Cord Blood Registry (CBR), the world's largest cord blood bank, today announced a continued increase in sales, with 145% growth in the first quarter of 2005 compared to the same period in 2004. "We continue to see accelerating month over month robust growth rate increases," said Johnnie Domingue, Cord Blood Registry's VP, COO and CFO. "The number of families enrolling in the CBR program in March 2005 showed an increase of 157% over March 2004."

CBR attributes the surge in growth to greater awareness in the marketplace regarding the value of cord blood stem cells for medical treatments within a family. Recent legislative activity, both at the federal and state level, has helped heighten the general public's understanding of the value of saving umbilical cord blood and the vital non-controversial stem cells contained within it. The increased governmental involvement is making a permanent contribution toward educating expectant mothers; still today, it is estimated that fewer than 25% of the 4 million pregnant women in this country are aware that they have only one chance to save their newborn's cord blood.

"Nature offers only a small window of time to capture this resource, then the opportunity to collect is lost," said Stephen Grant, VP of Communications for CBR. "It is a tragedy that as much as 95% of all cord blood is disposed of today as 'medical waste'. When all pregnant women are fully informed about their option to either 1) donate their newborn's cord blood to a public bank or 2) bank it for their family's use to treat diseases, then many more families will decide to save this important resource," Grant continued.

The federal government and more than ten states have pending, or already passed, legislation which, in part, mandates education to obstetrical patients about cord blood donation options. Adding impetus to the issue, the Institute of Medicine (IOM), released a report on cord blood last month specifying its recommendation that "patients should be educated on all cord blood options prior to labor and delivery."

Cord Blood Registry provides services to forward-thinking expectant couples wishing to preserve a type of "biological insurance" for their family. Cord blood is collected through a risk-free procedure immediately after the umbilical cord is cut; and it is a rich source of genetically related stem cells that can be used in lifesaving medical treatments for the newborn, siblings, and any other compatible genetic family members. Once transplanted, the cells have the potential to repair damaged or diseased tissues with little risk of rejection and offer up to double the rate of long-term survival when compared to transplantation with cord blood cells from a genetically unrelated donor. More than 75 serious, chronic conditions have treatments involving stem cells.

About CBR
CBR is the world's largest newborn stem cell bank. CBR has been collecting and processing newborn stem cells for family banking since 1995, with profitable operations since 1999. There are over 300,000 units of cord blood cells preserved for client families at CBR's state-of-the-art facility in Tucson, Arizona. The company's research and development is focused on advancing the collection, processing, and storage methods to optimize quality and cell yield. Additionally, CBR facilitates collection of donated research samples, made available for the nearly 200 research programs worldwide that are focused on stem cell expansion and cell-based therapies. For more information, visit http://www.cordblood.com, or call 1-888-CORD BLOOD. Cord Blood Registry is a registered trademark of Cbr Systems, Inc.,

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