DUBAI: 12 September, 2006 – Cryo-Save Arabia, the region’s first private cord blood stem cell bank, was officially launched today by the UAE Minister of Health, HE Humaid Mohammad Obaid Al Qutami at the Dubai Biotechnology and Research Park (DuBiotech).
A subsidiary of Cryo-Save, the largest and longest-established private stem cell bank in Europe, Cryo-Save Arabia will offer world class facilities for the collection, processing and storage of a newborn baby’s cord blood stem cells.
Cord blood is the blood that remains in the umbilical cord after the baby is born. Although once discarded as medical waste, cord blood is scientifically proven to be rich in stem cells. Stem cells have the ability to regenerate into other cell types, including those that carry oxygen, fight disease and curtail bleeding.
In order to reduce the risk of losing the cells, half of the blood sample will be stored in Dubai while the other half will be stored in one of Cryo-Save’s facilities in Europe.
Dr. Marc Waeterschoot, CEO, Cryo-Save said: “Cryo-Save Arabia is proud to be the first private storage facility for cord blood stem cells in the region. Over 45,000 parents have used our facilities across the world. Cryo-Save meets the highest global benchmarks in the processing and storing of cord blood stem cells and we are delighted to bring the expertise to Dubai.”
Dr. Abdulqader Al Khayat, Executive Director, DuBiotech said: “We are glad to welcome Cryo-Save Arabia to the DuBiotech community. Cryo-Save Arabia will help in providing treatment options for several previously-untreatable critical illnesses. We are seeking to attract many more cutting-edge biotechnology companies similar to Cryo Save to the region. One of our key objectives is to develop a regulatory framework that will give global companies the confidence and security necessary to locate in our cluster.”
Treatments using cord blood stem cells have been rapidly developing in the past few years. Cord blood stem cells are either used for the donor baby (autologous transplantation)
Cryo-Save Arabia will be located temporarily at the Dubai Media City Boutique Offices before moving to the Dubai Biotechnology and Research Park when the facility is ready by the end of 2007.
About Cryo-Save
Cryo-Save is an international company specialised in the cryogenic preservation of stem cells from umbilical cord blood. The company has cord blood banking facilities in Belgium, Germany and now in the United Arab Emirates, and is present in more than 25 countries. In the field of stem cell storage, Cryo-Save is one of the largest providers in the world: more than 40,000 couples have entrusted them with the task of preserving their baby’s cord blood. Cryo-Save’s working method enables them to extract stem cells from the umbilical cord blood, and to store them at -196 degrees Celsius to be useful for future treatments for the newborn, siblings, or any other compatible genetic family member. Once transplanted, the cells have the potential to repair damaged or diseased tissues with little risk of rejection and increased long-term survival. Cryo-Save stores the cord blood obtained at two locations. Therefore, the risk of losing the cells is reduced to an absolute minimum. No other private cord blood bank does this. Cryo-Save has its own laboratory and cryogenic equipment. In this way, Cryo-Save can ensure the quality and accreditation standards of all processes. Cryo-Save’s laboratories have been accredited by Beltest in accordance with the EN ISO 17025 standard, and are regularly audited, thus guaranteeing a professional approach. Apart from following the best European standards, Cryo-Save is seeking accreditation by the AABB in USA. For more information, visit http://www.cryo-
