CryoCord launched as storage of mesenchymal stem cells from umbilical cord tissue starts

Cryo-Save Group N.V. (AIM: CRYO, "Cryo-Save" or "the Group"), Europe's largest adult stem cell storage bank, has commenced the collection and storage of adult mesenchymal stem cells ('MSCs') from the lining of umbilical cord tissue. The Group's new product using MSCs is called CryoCord.

The Group has filed successfully earlier this year two new patent applications for the isolation of MSCs from the umbilical cord tissue and from adipose tissue.

MSCs are increasingly considered important in many clinical applications, e.g. tissue reconstruction. The isolation of MSCs is particularly significant as clinical research indicates these stem cells might have even greater potential for use in future medical therapies than the already proven hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) derived from umbilical cord blood. They are also found in far greater numbers in the umbilical cord than HSCs are found in cord blood. Until now, the conventional source of MSCs has been bone marrow. However, the frequency and differentiation potential of MSCs decreases significantly with age, and there are significant benefits to collection and cryopreservation at birth. The Group believes that this new methodology represents the first available opportunity to collect MSCs without invasive surgical techniques.

Colin McGuckin, Chairman Scientific Advisory Board of Cryo-Save and Professor of Regenerative Medicine at the University of Newcastle (UK), commented,

"Storing MSCs from the cord lining has the potential to broaden future cellular therapeutic application. We already know that umbilical cord blood contains stem cells which could be turned into many tissues including brain, liver and neural tissues. MSCs are one of the most important sources of somatic cells, with enormous clinical potential and they are therefore likely be used in tissue therapies, tissue engineering and gene therapy. We look forward to further validating cord MSCs for those applications."

Rob Koremans, Cryo-Save Chief Executive, commented:

"We start offering this new service of collection and storage of MSCs from the umbilical cord in addition to the already very successful storage of stem cells from umbilical cord blood. The first countries to have access to the new service are Spain, Belgium and The Netherlands.

"The filing of these new patent applications marks a milestone for the Group in this new field of stem cell storage. CryoCord offers significant advantages to people that decide to store adult stem cells at birth."

The collection of a part of the cord lining is done after the delivery and is without risk for mother or child and without any invasive surgery. A specialised temperature controlled transportation container is available to parents who decide to store their child's MSCs for possible future use. After thawing, MSCs can be successfully cultured and stored at the Group's laboratory facilities.


For further details:

Cryo-Save Group                                                 + 31 (0)575 548998
Rob Koremans, Chief Executive
Arnoud van Tulder, Chief Financial Officer

Kaupthing                                                             + 44 (0) 20 3205 7500
Jos Trusted/Marc Young

College Hill                                                           + 44 (0) 20 7457 2020

Adrian Duffield/Jon Davies

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