Falk Heinrichsohn & Lalit Jaiswal
CelluGen Biotech Pvt. Ltd., India
Title: New horizon in private cord blood banking
Biography
Biography: Falk Heinrichsohn & Lalit Jaiswal
Abstract
Background: Stem cells from cord blood (CB) are an approved therapeutic source for various haematological disorders. Its storage became popular in America during the 1990s and developed globally as an alternative to bone marrow transplant. In America, private cord blood banking is stagnant, in Europe the market is declining, while Asia is expanding via increasing birth rate.
Therapeutic Value of Privately Stored Cord Blood: Discussions have emerged regarding the utility of privately stored CB. Haematologists consider that the promoted therapeutic self-use is much limited. It is scientifically proven that about 90% of treatable blood related disorders in children are hereditary/genetic and not acquired; therefore, autologous use is not viable.
Private Cord Blood Banking–Redefined: CelluGen Biotech, India developed after years of R&D, an innovative cord blood pool banking concept, where high CB volumes are collected, analyzed, processed and cryopreserved after human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing to ensure effective allogeneic utilization of the banked CB by its members. India has a high birth rate and a high diseases burden of hematopoietic disorders. The limited availability of a bone marrow match and absence of compatible cord blood units in public banks, inspired CelluGen to introduce “Cellulife” an allogeneic storage model, where on request of a parent, who did not store the CB unit at birth, CelluGen will procure it from a donor, process and store it for a fee in the private CB bank which entitles the parent to protect their family as a member of the private pool banking.
Conclusion: Cord blood is a valuable alternative of bone marrow and cryopreserving umbilical cord blood (UCB) stem cells is a valid concept if expanded to a pool banking structure. This concept may also reduce the dependence on donor bone marrow through a timely supply of UCB units for blood-related disorders.