Cryo-Cell (CCEL) collaborator expands in Asia.
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Asia Cryo-Cell plans to expand network
Sunday, 06 March , 2005, 11:33
Chennai: Asia Cryo-Cell Pvt Ltd, a cord-blood bank, which just moved into its own facility near Chennai, plans to expand its network in India, Singapore and Malaysia. The cord-blood bank has been set up in technical collaboration with Cryo-Cell International Inc, one of US's leaders in cord blood banking.
Cord blood is collected from the umbilical cord immediately after childbirth to harvest stem cells, which have the capacity to produce mature cells in the human blood and the immune system. The stem cells can be used to treat a range of diseases including leukaemia, Hodgkin's disease and other types of lymphoma, anaemia, inherited metabolic disorders and deficiencies of the immune system.
Addressing a press conference here on Saturday about Asia Cryo-Cell's plans, its Vice-Chairman and CEO, Abhaya Kumar, said the Rs 12-crore facility is located at Kilkottiyur, about 20 km from the Chennai airport. By the year-end, there would be at least 20 franchisees across India, including in Punjab, Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Delhi. These franchisees will collect cord blood and deliver it to the storage facility here.
The company will also set up it own facilities in Singapore and in Malaysia, where franchisees would be appointed. Apart from banking cord blood, the company also plans to do research in this area, he said.
Dr Saranya Nandakumar, Medical Director, Asia Cryo-Cell, said stem cells are a preferred over bone marrow for transplantation. They are more effective, with greater chances of acceptance by the person receiving the transplant. Also, viruses rarely contaminate stem cells.
It is also easier to collect cord blood stem cells and does not affect the mother or the new born. Cord blood is taken from the umbilical cord which otherwise would be discarded. If parents take efforts to bank cord blood, it can be used to treat the child later, if needed. In transplantation, it would be a perfect match and provide a safety net and a biological insurance for the child. In case of thalassemia, a patient will need continuous treatment costing about Rs 1 lakh a year without any hope of cure. But if stem cells are available, these could be used to cure the patient, said Dr Nandakumar.
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