Cord Blood Registry Sets New Enrollment and Processing Records
Company Continues to Help Advance Regenerative Medicine Research
SAN BRUNO, Calif. – August 8, 2007 – Cord Blood Registry (CBR), the world’s largest and most experienced cord blood stem cell bank, announced today that it has achieved record processings and enrollments as of the second quarter ended June 30, 2007. The company expects to exceed 200,000 cord blood collections stored before the end of the year.
CBR chief executive officer Tom Moore attributes the growing demand for CBR’s family cord blood banking service, in large part, to the company’s focus on innovation and quality as well as the expanding medical potential of cord blood stem cells.
“The preservation of cord blood stem cells is not a commodity business and the strategic investments we’ve made continue to distinguish CBR,” said Moore. “Our automated cell processing technology, the AutoXpressTM System (AXPTM), consistently delivers the highest cell recovery rates in the industry. Our data demonstrates that we store more than 99 percent of the mononuclear cells (MNCs) and more than 96 percent of the total nucleated cells (TNCs) from each cord blood collection. This is a remarkable and meaningful technological accomplishment.”
Cell recovery is an important measure of a cord blood collection’s transplant utility. Research studies correlate transplant survival rates and improved outcomes with the number of stem cells used in therapy.
First AXP-Processed Collection Used Successfully in Transplant
CBR started phasing AXP processing into its operation in December 2006 and has processed more than 15,000 collections with the system. Full production phase-over to AXP is on schedule to be completed by the end of third quarter.
“AXP is the first and only functionally-closed automated processing technology that has been validated to process collections of any size,” said Moore. “We looked at every automated system and chose AXP – despite its higher cost – because it delivers the highest cell recovery and does so consistently, regardless of the volume of the collection.”
CBR released its first AXP-processed collection for therapeutic use in May. The sample was used to treat a sibling in the family (a two-year-old child) diagnosed with acute myelocytic leukemia (AML). The stem cells engrafted successfully and there were no adverse events reported post transplant.
CBR Laboratory Receives AABB Accreditation Renewal
In other second quarter developments, AABB, the non-profit organization that sets the standards for the family cord blood banking industry, conducted an audit and assessment of CBR as part of the normal accreditation renewal process and found CBR to be in full compliance. CBR was the first family cord blood bank to receive AABB accreditation in 1998.
“AABB review and accreditation is an important part of our quality assurance program,” said Moore. “Our recent review is a testament to the high level of professional and medical expertise that has earned CBR a reputation of trust with physicians and the patients we serve.”
CBR Advances Long-Standing Corporate Commitment to Cord Blood Research
Building on its heritage of scientific leadership, CBR announced it is broadening its focus on advancing the science of cord blood stem cells and is providing specific support to research studies in two important areas of regenerative medicine: Type 1 diabetes and brain injury. These studies are being conducted at the University of Florida College of Medicine and the University of Texas Health Science Center, respectively.
“CBR was founded on the belief that cord blood stem cells will change the future of medicine,” said Moore. “Given the number of collections in our bank, we’re in a unique position to help advance regenerative medicine by connecting the families who choose to bank with CBR with areas of clinical research that may benefit them.”
About Cord Blood Registry
Cord Blood Registry® (CBR®) is the largest cord blood stem cell processing and cryopreservation service for familial use in transplantation and regenerative medicine and the most recommended cord blood bank by obstetricians. Accredited by AABB, Cord Blood Registry preserves cord blood stem cells for more than 180,000 newborns throughout the world. CBR has released more than 50 client cord blood units for specific therapeutic use, more than any other family cord blood bank. The company's research and development efforts are focused on advancing the medical therapies involving cord blood stem cells as well as the collection, processing and storage technologies to optimize quality and cell yield. Additionally, CBR facilitates collection of donated samples, available for research programs worldwide that are focused on stem cell expansion and other cell-based therapies. For more information about CBR, visit www.CordBlood.com.
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