Private Cord Blood Banks in Africa

INTERNET: www.cryo-save.co.za;    Email post@cryo-save.co.za
PHONE: Johannesburg 011 803 4409;
               Cape Town 021 671 2508;
                Durban 031 201 4420
OFFICES: Durban and Cape Town, South Africa
STORAGE: lab and storage facilities of Cryo-Save in Mechelen, Belgium (accredited under ISO17025)
 
COMMENT: Cryo-Save (SA) is the South African branch of the Cryo-Save Group, Europe’s largest stem cell storage company.
 
SERVICES & DISCOUNT OPTIONS:

• Cryo-Save processing method uses the automated Sepax system from the Swiss company Biosafe.  Sepax is an automated cell separation system which relies on a laser beam to sense the density gradient between different cell layers after the blood has been spun in a centrifuge.  The bag kit is sterile, functionally closed, and single-use.
• Cryo-Save (SA) collects in bags and stores in Pall blood bags which have two portions holding 80%/20% volume.
  
• Cryogenic storage is in the vapour phase of liquid nitrogen.
• Cryo-Save (SA) all-inclusive fee covers enrollment, processing, and 21 years storage.
• Shipping costs are covered by the all-inclusive fee.
• Cryo-Save (SA) contract price includes courier transport with DHL.  The blood travels in a package which is temperature-controlled.

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INTERNET: www.lazaron.co.za; Email jdc@john-daniel.com  
PHONE: 021 809 2100
OFFICE: Cape Town, South Africa; University of Stellenbosch

COMMENT: The first cord blood bank based in Africa, opened Sept 2005.
Lazaron has four divisions: (1) Human Stem Cell Bank, (2) Animal Bio-Cell Division, (3) Regenerative Cell Technology Division, and (4) Future Regenerative Treatment Facility.
 
SERVICES & DISCOUNT OPTIONS:

• The head of the company is Dr. Daniel Barry of the Animal Biotechnology Laboratory of the University of Stellenbosch.
• A news report in Business Day of South Africa stated that Lazaron Biotechnologies has the exclusive license for the commercialization of all technologies emanating from research on animal and human stem cells at the biotechnology laboratories in the Dept. of Animal Sciences of the University of Stellenbosch.
• The Lazaron website reports that they have a joint venture agreement with the company SA Endovascular Pty Ltd, to conduct research in the fields of cardiovascular cell regeneration as well as cartilage regeneration.
• Lazaron Biotechnologies (SA) Ltd is a public company:  John Daniel Holdings Ltd owns 25% of Lazaron. According to the Lazaron website (June 2005), the balance is held by Directors and "leading Pathology Group who is the second Joint Venture partner."
• Lazaron is a member of the Asia Pacific Cord Blood Bank Consortium

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INTERNET: www.netcells.co.za or Email info@netcells.co.za
PHONE:  +27 (0)11 697-2900
OFFICE: Johannesburg, South Africa
STORAGE: Johannesburg, South Africa, or Middlesex, UK

COMMENT:
Netcells Cryogenics is a privately owned South African company, with no external debt.  Netcells is also the licensed Africa agent of Smart Cells International, a multi-national cord blood banking company based in the UK.
 
SERVICES & DISCOUNT OPTIONS:

• Netcells clients have a choice between local storage in the Netcells lab, or storage abroad in the Smart Cells UK lab.
• Netcells advises parents that for maximum cell viability it is better to store locally.  Parent's Guide to Cord Blood endorses this advice.
  
• Netcells collects by gravity into blood bags, preferably before delivery of the placenta.
• Courier service is included in the contract, with constant monitoring of the courier's location at all times.
  
• Collection kits are well insulated to maintain nearly constant temperature.
• Within South Africa, Netcells can transport cord blood from the hospital to the lab in less than 24 hours.
  
• The Netcells lab uses the automated Sepax processing system from the Swiss company Biosafe.
• Netcellls performs flow cytometry testing on all collections.
• Final storage is in Pall blood bags.
  
• The cryogenic storage is in the vapour phase of liquid nitrogen.
• At present (Feb 2010) there is a regulatory vacuum in South Africa regarding stem cells, and thus Netcells cannot as yet be locally accredited.  However Netcells endeavors to comply with AABB and FACT requirements (see lab accreditation) and has applied for AABB accreditation.
  
• The cost of service covers 25 years of storage. 
  
• Payment plans available.
  
• Discount available for multiple births.
• Should a client emigrate and the stem cells are needed for transplant, Netcells will courier the stem cells in their frozen state, anywhere in the world, free-of-charge.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The NetCells laboratory in Midrand has processed peripheral blood stem cell collections for over 100 transplants in local hospitals.  The Netcells relationship with Smart Cells provides a guarantee that, in the unlikely event that Netcells should go out of business, Smart Cells will take over maintenance of their cord blood inventory. 

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