Stem Cell and Umbilical Cord Blood Information » Cord Blood Banks & Storage

Cryo-Cell Launching Cryology RTS

Sarah — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 22:06:21 +0000

Cryo-Cell International, Inc., one of the world’s largest and most established family cord blood banks and global stem cell innovators, announced plans at the annual meeting of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) to launch Cryology RTS, a new reproductive tissue storage service for cryopreserved embryos, oocyctes and sperm.

Cryology RTS is expected to offer high quality and competitively priced reproductive tissue services that will include short and longer-term cryogenic storage; inter-facility transportation coordination; and special quarantined cryogenic storage for infectious disease positive specimens. Following the successful launch of the new service in the United States, Cryo-Cell expects to introduce the Cryology RTS service throughout the company’s expansive global affiliate network.

Cord Blood America Signs DNA Testing Deal

Sarah — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 15:02:33 +0000

Cord Blood America announced that within 90 days it will begin selling DNA Predisposition testing services in conjunction with The DNA Shop.

The test involves taking a couple of droplets of blood from both mother’s blood draw, and from baby’s umbilical cord blood, for testing purposes. CBAI currently collects maternal blood samples with the umbilical cord blood at the time of birth, so this process will require almost no additional time or materials cost. A single finger prick of blood will be collected and tested from other family members also wishing to have these testing services.

The DNA is then analyzed for predisposition to 25 diseases, including Alzheimer’s, Multiple Sclerosis, heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, obesity and seven different types of cancer, including breast, lung, skin and prostate.

“DNA testing and HLA typing services are a natural progression from storing cord blood stem cells. The parents will now know proclivity to certain diseases for the child,” said Matthew Schissler, co-founder and CEO. “Knowing what serious medical conditions or diseases a person is predisposed to will allow for that person to take steps to prevent the disease and to make informed choices about lifestyle and the need for medical screenings.”

[source]

Biocells Inc Acquired By Cord Blood America

Sarah — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 14:05:18 +0000

Cord Blood America has recently announced that all preliminary due diligence is now complete for the acquisition of controlling interest in BioCells, Inc.

BioCells is headquartered in Argentina, with affiliates under development in Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, Panama and Puerto Rico. The company is the second largest stem cell storage company in Argentina, and is considered to be profitable, with annual revenues of $1.2 million in 2009 according to a press release regarding the acquisition. The company also has 12 locations throughout Argentina, plus a recent expansion into Uruguay and Paraguay.

On April 19, 2010, Cord Blood America announced that a letter of intent had been signed by both companies for Cord Blood America to purchase controlling interest in BioCells.

“We are very confident that this acquisition will close by the end of August,” said Matthew Schissler, Cord Blood America co-founder and CEO. “Having controlling interest in BioCells will significantly boost our bottom line by one to one and a half million dollars annually. It’s a historic day when CBAI can add a profitable entity to its family of companies. It is our goal to build Cord Blood America into the world’s premier stem cell storage company, with current transactions being completed in Germany, as a foundation for all of Europe, and in China.”

The acquisition is expected to be closed no later than August 31, 2010.

[Source]

Cord Blood Donation and Storage Facility Opens in Arizona

Sarah — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 15:35:19 +0000

The Celebration Stem Cell Centre has just recently opened in Gilbert, Arizona. Celebration is a private umbilical cord blood bank, public cord blood donation bank, adult stem cell processing, genetic counseling and research facility.

Their services include the processing and banking of umbilical cord blood, bone marrow and adipose tissue derived stem cells. They will also offer genetic counseling, bone marrow match testing and a registry that will be available to the public and medical community.

Here is the contact info for Celebration Stem Cell Centre.

Cord Blood America’s “Afford-A-Cord” Program

Sarah — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 00:51:39 +0000

Cord Blood America announced this week that its maverick “Afford-A-Cord” program, which reduces the initial cost of storing umbilical cord blood stem cells from $2075 to $495 plus medical courier service, will be launched on June 14, 2010 rather than July 1, 2010, as previously announced.

“Because of the overwhelmingly positive response to CBAI’s initial announcement, we pushed the last two weeks to launch early. It wouldn’t be fair for a parent to miss out on the program because of simple lag time. We have been able to button up all the details on the plan, which we believe will allow more people to take advantage of this important medical insurance policy,” said Matthew Schissler, Cord Blood America co-founder and CEO.

Cord Blood America’s Operations in China

Sarah — Thu, 06 May 2010 16:57:38 +0000

Cord Blood America announced this week that an architectural firm has been retained for the new, 200,000 square foot umbilical cord blood processing and storage facility in China. CBAI has signed a License and Cooperation with AXM Pharma, Inc., a global pharmaceutical company with a major presence in the Chinese pharmaceutical market for more than 10 years. Cord Blood America is the umbilical cord blood stem cell preservation company which is focused on bringing the life saving potential of stem cells to families nationwide and internationally.

“We are in discussions to open a temporary facility in 2010 so we can begin the storage process in an AXM Pharma facility in Shenyang, China,” Matthew Schissler, Cord Blood America co-founder and CEO, said. “This would mean we would receive revenues from China faster than the 2011 date previously projected.”

Canadian Cord Blood Bank Puts Families First

Sarah — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 21:52:17 +0000

In 2004, Insception partnered with the Toronto Cord Blood Program, Canada’s longest-running cord blood bank. The bank had previously only worked with Mount Sinai and saw the partnership with Insception as an opportunity to enhance their program.

Today, Insception and the Toronto Cord Blood Program banks over 32 000 samples of cord blood. With the largest number of banked cord blood units in Canada, Insception is easily one of the most experienced and established cord blood programs.

Successful transplants are an accurate measure of a cord blood bank’s quality, and Insception demonstrates excellence in its field as the company has released several cord blood units for transplant. Over the years, 10 children have received cord blood transplants to treat a myriad of diseases, including Retinoblastoma, Leukemia and Fanconi Anemia. 7 units have also been released for use in cellular therapy clinical trials for Type 1 diabetes and Cerebral Palsy.

The cord blood program also exhibits an unprecedented focus on the customer experience. With the Wings of Hope: Medical Need Program, Insception offers support to families that present a high likelihood of requiring a stem cell transplant. As part of the program, Insception will waive the initial banking fee, giving low-income families otherwise unobtainable access to the valuable ‘insurance policy’ that cord blood banking provides.

Insception also offers one of the only payment plans available in the Biosciences industry. With the Peace of Mind Plan, expecting parents can make the banking process far more affordable than they ever thought possible. They are guaranteed storage for 18 years, without having to pay any upfront fees. With monthly payments of $75, Insception makes cord blood banking an attainable prospect for families with varying budgetary restrictions.

The company continues to expand, as Insception welcomes cord blood units from each and every hospital in Canada. The company has recently launched a new office in Alberta and hopes to expand even further in the future.

Cord Blood America Providing Placentas for Transplants

Sarah — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 19:40:01 +0000

Cord Blood America, the umbilical cord blood stem cell preservation company announced today that it has signed a Definitive Supplier Agreement with an accredited tissue bank which provides placenta collection services for therapeutic transplantation.

There has been mounting research showing that there are a lot of viable stem cells in the placenta and they can be safely extracted for transplantation. The stem cells can be used to cure chronic blood-related disorders such as sickle cell disease, thalassemia and leukemia, to name just a few.

StemCyte Opens First Stem Cell Bank In India

Sarah — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 19:38:19 +0000

One of the world’s prominent cord blood banks and biotherapies companies, StemCyte Inc. USA, recently announced that it will be opening its first umbilical cord blood stem cell banking facility at Apollo Hospital in Gujarat’s Gandhinagar district.

It will be the first cord blood bank facility in India which shall be used both for public and family donor purposes, an official statement said.

The stem cell bank is a tri-partite venture between StemCyte India Therapeutics, Apollo and Indravadan Modi led Cadilla Pharma, it said.

“The company plans to build an inventory of 25,000 ethnically diverse units here to help treat critically ill patients in India and abroad and we will also facilitate stem cell transplantation through Apollo,” President StemCyte Therapeutics Tushar Dalal said.

Full List Of Private Cord Blood Banks In The U.S.

Sarah — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 18:41:38 +0000

Alpha Cord Inc.
Web: www.alphacord.com
PHONE: 866-396-7283
Atlanta, GA

AssureImmune
Web: www.AssureImmune.com
PHONE: 1-888-3immune (888-346-6863)
OFFICE: Boca Raton, FL

CordBancUSA
Web: www.CordBancUSA.com
PHONE: 1-888-273-7770
OFFICE: Monterey, CA

Cord Blood America
Web: www.cordblood-america.com
PHONE: 888-326-7235 (888-3-CORCELL)
OFFICE: Las Vegas, NV and Philadelphia, PA

Cord Blood Registry
Web: www.cordblood.com
PHONE: 888-CORDBLOOD
OFFICE: San Bruno, CA
STORAGE: Tucson, AZ
ACCREDITATION: AABB, CA, MD, NJ, NY

Cryobanks International
Web: www.cryo-intl.com
PHONE: 800-869-8608 or 407-834-8333
OFFICE: Altamonte Springs, FL; near Orlando

Cryo-Cell International
web: www.cryo-cell.com
PHONE: 800-STOR-CELL
OFFICE: Oldsmar FL, near Tampa

DomaniCell
Web: www.domanicell.com
PHONE: 201-883-5308
OFFICE: Hackensack, NJ

Elie Katz Umbilical Cord Blood Program
Web: www.communitybloodservices.org/cb_ekucbp.php
PHONE: 1-866-SAVCORD
OFFICE: Allendale, NJ

FamilyCord
Web: www.familycord.com
PHONE: 800-490-CORD (2673)
OFFICE: Los Angeles, CA

Genesis Bank
Web: www.thegenesisbank.com
PHONE: 800-804-6703
OFFICE: General BioTechnology, Indianapolis, IN

HemaStem Therapeutics
web: www.hemastem.com
PHONE: 800-203-7349; or Email info@hemastem.com
OFFICE: Main office located in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

LifebankUSA
Web: www.lifebankusa.com
PHONE: 877-LIFEBANK
OFFICE: Cedar Knolls, NJ

LifeLine Cryogenics
Web: www.lifelinecryogenics.com
PHONE: 1-866-967-CRYO
OFFICE: Stamford, CT

LifeSource Cryobank LLC
Web: www.LifeSourceCryobank.com
PHONE: 866-400-7333 or 985-867-8902
OFFICE: Covington, LA

MAZE Labs
Web: www.MAZEcordblood.com
PHONE: 914-683-0000
OFFICE: Westchester, NY
STORAGE: Storage facility in Purchase, NY.

NeoCells
Web: www.neocells.com
PHONE: 888-50-CELLS
OFFICE: Palm Harbor, FL
STORAGE: Reproductive Genetics Institute, Chicago, IL

New England Cord Blood Bank
Web: www.cordbloodbank.com
PHONE: 888-700-CORD
OFFICE: Boston, MA

PacifiCord
Web: www.PacifiCord.com
PHONE: 1-888-379-CORD (2673)
OFFICE: Irvine, CA
STORAGE: Irvine, CA

Regenerative Medicine Institute (RMI)
Web: www.rmilabs.com
PHONE: 877-844-7379
OFFICE: SIRM offices in Las Vegas, Nevada

Safetycord, Inc.
Web: www.safetycord.com
PHONE: +1 305 432 2673
OFFICE: San Juan, Puerto Rico

Securacell
Web: www.securacell.com
PHONE: 866-836-CELL
OFFICE: Canton, OH

StemCyte
Web: www.StemCyteFamily.com
PHONE: 866-389-4659
OFFICE: StemCyte, Covina, CA

Stork Medical
Web: www.stork.md
PHONE: 866-65-STORK
OFFICE: Columbus, GA

Utah Cord Bank
Web: www.utahcordbank.com
PHONE: 877-UCB-STEM (1-877-822-7836)
OFFICE: Sandy, Utah

ViaCord
web: www.viacord.com
PHONE: 866-668-4895
OFFICE: Cambridge, MA

Xytex Cord Blood Bank
Web: www.xytexcordblood.com
PHONE: 800-277-3210 or Email tissues@xytex.com
OFFICE: Augusta, GA