Private Cord Blood Banks in Asia

INTERNET:  www.saitaiketsu.com
PHONE: 0120-963-312 (free dial) or 078-306-3660
OFFICE: Kobe, Japan
STORAGE: Itabashi Medical Laboratory, Kobe, Japan

COMMENT: Aywill, Inc., is a marketing company which distributes the cord blood services of Itabashi Medical Laboratory.  This laboratory is a subsidiary of Itabashi Medical Group, the largest private hospital group in Japan, which owns over 60 medical facilities.

SERVICES & DISCOUNT OPTIONS:

• Shipping is not included in contract.
• Cord blood is collected in bags and stored in compartmented bags.
• In addition to the separated mononuclear cells, the lab also stores vials of red cells, plasma, and maternal serum in case of future testing requirements.
• First year storage included in processing fee.

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INTERNET: www.BabyBanks.com
PHONE: (886)-2-2795-1777 or 0800-800-018
OFFICE: Taipei, Taiwan
STORAGE: two AABB-accredited laboratories are located in both northern and southern Taiwan.

COMMENT:  BabyBanks is a division of BIONET Corp., a company specializing in cell preservation and therapy.   Website in Chinese, English, and Japanese.

SERVICES & DISCOUNT OPTIONS:

• BabyBanks, a division of the cell-tissue company BIONET Corp., claims to be Taiwan's oldest and largest private cord blood bank.  The CEO is Dr. Chris Tsai. 
• BIONET is a publicly traded company.
  
• The Advisory Board of BIONET includes the American transplant physician John E. Wagner of U. Minnesota.
• BIONET has 2 AABB-accredited laboratories located in northern and southern Taiwan (Chung-Ho City in Taipei County and Yongkang in Tainan County).
• BabyBanks cord blood bank is also accredited by the Taiwan Ministry of Health.
• "Donatable Family Banking" program offers a public donation option.
• BIONET Cord Blood Bank holds the largest inventory in Asia of cord blood listed on the BMDW and eligible for donation.  Their inventory was over 22,000 collections by the end of 2009, making them 3rd largest world-wide.
• Since the establishment of the public option in 2000, the BIONET/BabyBanks has received more than 300 inquiries for a match, from over 20 different countries.
  
• BIONET Corp. has a world-class, state-of-the-art head quarter for Stem Cell/Genetics Technology (see additional info about business below). 
  
• As of Jan 2010, BIONET has completed a laboratory renovation costing over 20 million USD.
• BIONET was the first cord blood bank in Taiwan to insure the entire cell preservation process, and consign all the storage fees to an independent trust fund. In any circumstance of accident, all substantial losses will be covered by full refund, in addition to a free-of-charge CB unit through searching globally or an alternative compensation of USD 30,000.
• BIONET is a founding member of the Asia Pacific Cord Blood Bank Consortium

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Through its subsidiaries, BIONET provides six forms of stem cell services:

1. BabyBanks Cord Blood Banking of Hematopoietic (blood-forming) Stem Cells (HSC)
2. Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSC)
3. Dental Pulp Stem Cells
4. Stem Cell Revitalizer for cosmetology
5. Genetic testing for Spinal Muscular Atrophy and serum-based screening for Down Syndrome
6. Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) used to create "rescue babies".  This service is offered through cooperation with Dr. Mark Hughes of Genesis Genetic Institute.

Some success stories: In 2007, BIONET participated the first case of non-relative cord blood transplantation in Taiwan, and the recipient, a four-year-old child who suffered by Thalassemia, has successfully recovered.  In 2008, BIONET successfully integrated stem cell therapy and pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD)  technology to carry out the first case of  a “rescue baby” in Asia for cord blood transplantation.

BIONET has successfully integrated the entire chain of business vertically, beginning with stem cell preservation, processing, and up to clinical applications.  BIONET now (Jan 2010) has over 200 employees.  FOXCONN Corp. is participating in a joint venture with BIONET Corp. in HealthConn, providing advanced health management.

BIONET Corp. has collaborated with a number of major medical centers, both domestically and internationally, to support stem cell transplant for therapies under a variety of clinical translations.  BIONET Corp. is also actively pursuing research in regenerative medicine.

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INTERNET: www.biomb.com
PHONE: 1-800-338-4BMG
OFFICE: Los Angeles
STORAGE: Laboratories are located in both Los Angeles, USA and Shanghai, China.

COMMENT:

• BioMedical Group was founded in March 1999: they are incorporated in Nevada, USA.
• In collaboration with Ministry of Public Health of China, they operate an Umbilical Cord Blood Bank. 
• Website in English and Chinese

SERVICES & DISCOUNT OPTIONS:

• Arrangements for shipping of the cord blood are made by the patient.
• Cord blood is processed by volume reduction to separate White Blood Cells (WBC) and stored in bags in liquid nitrogen.
• Prices given in USD; payment plans available.
  

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The original website displayed ads for herbal supplements and a photo of Dr. Pablo Rubinstein that was used without his permission.  Attorneys for NY Blood Center requested its removal.

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INTERNET: www.cellsafegroup.com; Email service@cellsafegroup.com
PHONE: 1-300-88-2355 (24hr service)
OFFICES:  Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 
STORAGE: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 

COMMENT:
Cellsafe International Group is a regional stem cell therapy service for South East Asia.  They offer cord blood storage, bone marrow extraction, or peripheral blood stem cell extraction.
 
SERVICES & OPTIONS:

• Cost includes courier service.
• CellSafe offers the choice of storage in either bags or vials.
  
• CellSafe offers parents a refund if the blood collection is too small a volume for transplantation.
  

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INTERNET: www.cordlife.com;   Email info@hk.cordlife.com
PHONE: +852 2511 8881 (Main), +852 2511 8887 (24/7 Hotline)  
OFFICE: International HQ: Singapore; Local offices: Wanchai and Kowloon, Hong Kong
STORAGE: Wanchai, Hong Kong 

COMMENT:
CordLife originated in Singapore and now operates the most extensive network of multi-national cord blood banks in Asia.

SERVICES & OPTIONS:

• CordLife Hong Kong operates their own laboratory since March 2005.  This laboratory is certified by ISO 9001:2000
  
• CordLife Hong Kong collects in blood bags.
• CordLife Hong Kong provides their own courier service within Hong Kong.  Clients outside Hong Kong need to hire a service.
• CordLife technicians process cord blood manually: MonoNuclear Cells are separated by centrifuge after mixing with the chemical Hespan.
• Final storage is in blood bags in the vapour phase of liquid nitrogen.
• CordLife Hong Kong processing fee includes first year storage.
• Payment plans available, discounts for pre-paid long-term storage.
  
• Discounts to clients who are medical professionals.
  

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

See the description of CordLife in Singapore for the full company history.

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INTERNET: www.cordlife.com;   Email info@id.cordlife.com
PHONE: +62 (21) 520 8122
OFFICE: Intnl HQ: Singapore; Local office: Jakarta, Indonesia
STORAGE: Jakarta, Indonesia

COMMENT:
CordLife originated in Singapore and now operates the most extensive network of multi-national cord blood banks in Asia.

SERVICES & OPTIONS:

• P.T. CordLife Indonesia began using their own laboratory in 2007. 
  
• P.T. CordLife is the only cord blood bank in Indonesia licensed by the Ministry of Health (also known as DEPKES).
  
• P.T. CordLife Indonesia collects in blood bags.
• P.T. CordLife Indonesia does not provide courier service.
• CordLife technicians process cord blood manually.
  
• Final storage is in blood bags in the vapour phase of liquid nitrogen.
• P.T. CordLife Indonesia processing fee includes first year storage.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

See the description of CordLife in Singapore for the full company history.

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INTERNET: www.cordlife.com; Email info@cordlife.com
PHONE: +65 6238 0808 and +65 6238 1828 (24/7 Hotlines)
OFFICE: Headquarters in Singapore; Additional offices in:

• Australia (company name BioCell): 1-800-071-075 or info@biocell.com.au
• Hong Kong: +852 2511 8881 or info@hk.cordlife.com
• India (company name CordLife Sciences India Pvt. Ltd.): +91 98301 66200 or info@cordlifeindia.com
  
• Indonesia (Jakarta): +62 21 520 8122 or info@id.cordlife.com
• Macau: +852 2511 8887 or info@mo.cordlife.com
• Philippines: +632 757 5581 or info@ph.cordlife.com
• Thailand (company name Cygenics): +66 2631 0488 or info@th.cordlife.com

STORAGE: Laboratories are located in Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia (BioCell), India (Cord Life Sciences India Pvt Ltd), and Indonesia.

COMMENT:
CordLife originated in Singapore and now operates the most extensive network of multi-national cord blood banks in Asia.

SERVICES & OPTIONS:

• CordLife of Singapore provided a life-saving transplant to a boy with leukemia in Dec 2002, thanks to his baby sister's cord blood.
• In Sept 2004, CordLife replaced its original Singapore lab with a new lab which is the largest cord blood lab in Southeast Asia.  This lab received AABB accreditation in 2005 and renewed in 2008.
  
• CordLife collects in blood bags.
• Parents outside of Singapore have the option of storing cord blood in the Singapore lab by paying for medical courier service with TNT or World Courier.
  
• Parents have the option to chose processing method: either manual processing with the chemical Hespan or automated processing with Sepax equipment.
  
• CordLife is the first company in Asia to adopt 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. 
• Final storage is in Thermogenesis multi-compartment blood bags in the vapour phase of liquid nitrogen.
• Parents who are eligible for a Baby Bonus can use the funds towards cord blood banking.
• CordLife runs a community service programme known as "CordLife Cares" which offers financially challenged families with a history of diseases treated by transplantation the opportunity to receive free private banking.
  
• Payment plans available, discounts for pre-paid long-term storage.
  
• Discounts to clients who are medical professionals.
  
• CordLife of Singapore is a founding member of the Asia Pacific Cord Blood Bank Consortium
  

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• "CordLife only deals with pro-life sources of stem cells."
• CordLife is a public biotech company on the Australian stock exchange (ASX: CBB).  Cord Life holds several associate companies, but the most prominent is the CordLife network of cord blood banks, with headquarters in Singapore.
  
• Cord Life also has permission from the Singaporean Ministry of Health to bank stem cells from the peripheral blood of adults.
• Cytomatrix is an associate company in Boston, USA, which specializes in stem cell expansion and T-Cell production.  In Jan 2004, the US Dept of Defense awarded $1.7 million Cytomatrix to use their T-Cells to screen vaccine prototypes under development.
• Biocell is an Australian cord blood bank which is 51% owned by CordLife.

In Nov 2006, CordLife signed a research agreement with the Blood Centre of Zhejiang Province (ZBC) in mainland China.  The ZBC is a major blood center with access to donated stem cells.   CordLife and ZBC will collaborate on a study to grow human T cells outside the body for the treatment of HIV.  CordLife will provide the cellular growth technology through their subsidiary Cytomatrix.  Steven Fang, CEO of CordLife, said this was intended to be the first of a series of collaborations with ZBC, to include private cord blood banking.  ZBC is one of the leading blood centres in China, and operates a public cord blood bank with over 4,000 donations in 2006.

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INTERNET: www.cryocord.com.my; Email info@cryocord.com.my
PHONE:  60-3-8318 0000, 60-3-7880 2929, 1-800-88-3300 (24 Hours)
OFFICE: office in state of Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
STORAGE: laboratory in city of Cyberjaya, Malaysia

COMMENT: CryoCord offers state of the art banking for a variety of stem cell types and sources. Website in English.

SERVICES & OPTIONS:

• May 2006 first successful transplant performed at Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL) in which a sibling received both cord blood and bone marrow stem cells.
• CryoCord staffs a 24 hour "hotline" for customer service
• CryoCord contract includes courier service within Malaysia; delivery within 48 hours from "local" hospitals.
• Blood is collected by the traditional method of gravity drip into a bood bag.
• CryoCord offers training to physicians and Labor & Delivery staff
• All infectious disease testing is performed by an independent ISO15189:2003 internationally accredited laboratory.  CryoCord will not place collections which test as contaminated into their freezer.
• CryoCord laboratory is housed in a class 100 clean room housed in the Cyberjaya Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) and accredited under ISO9001:2000 (since Aug 2005) by both UKAS (UK) and ANAB (US).
• CryoCord laboratory has automated processing with the AutoXpress Process (AXP)  developed by Thermogenesis.  
• Clients are offered a choice between AXP processig or manual processing at a lower price.
  
• The processed MonoNuclear Cells are transfered to multiple cryo-vials for storage, so that the clients have the option to use the cells in portions.
• CryoCord tests Colony Forming Unit assays (CFU) for each collection, a measure that is important to transplant physicians.
  
• As of July 2008, CryoCord claims an inventory of over 10,000 cord blood collections

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
CryoCord is committed to research and development of further applications of stem cell therapy.  In addition to cord blood storage, they offer:

• Private storage of Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSC) from the tissue of the umbilical cord (called Wharton's Jelly)
• Harvesting amniotic membranes to develop wound dressings for patients
  
• Private storage of Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSC) from adipose tissue (fat)
• Private storage of blood-forming stem cells form the bone marrow of adults
• Private storage of blood-forming stem cells from the peripheral blood of adults
  

CryoCord was formed in 2002 by Prof. Emeritus Dr. S.K. Cheong and Dr. K.Y. Then, who still lead the company.  The rest of the current management is listed on the website.  CryoCord has Memorandums of Understanding with several hospitals for research and development.

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INTERNET: www.cryolife.com.hk  
PHONE: (852) 2110 2121
OFFICE + STORAGE: Hong Kong

COMMENT:
CRYOLIFE is the first private/family cord blood bank in Asia.  CRYOLIFE is a trademark of Cell Therapy Technologies Centre (CTTC) Limited.  Website in Chinese and English.

SERVICES & OPTIONS:

• CryoLIFE laboratory operates 365 days of the year, with no Holidays off.
• Contract includes courier transport by bank staff using a temperature controlled chamber.  They guarantee to pick up the cord blood from Hong Kong or Macau within 12 hours of notification by the client, and have it cryopreserved within 48 hours of delivery to the lab.
• In 2008 CryoLIFE began separating MonoNuclear Cells with the AutoXpress Process (AXP)  developed by Thermogenesis.   This method is an automated, fully closed and sterile system.
  
• Final storage is in a bag with two compartments and two testing segments.  Bags are stored in the vapor phase of cryogenic nitrogen.
• Payment plans are available.  Discounts available for: early enrollment, client referral, additional children, twin births, medical professionals.
  
• CryoMatch is a supplementary service which HLA types client's cord blood, at client's expense, and offers a registry service: in the event of a match to a patient in need, parents have the option to release the blood. 
  
• As of July 2010, CryoLIFE claims an inventory of 15,000 cord blood collections.
• CryoLIFE received a Q-mark Certification from the Federation of Hong Kong Industries.
• CryoLIFE is a founding member of the Asia Pacific Cord Blood Bank Consortium

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
In Hong Kong, family cord blood banks are only allowed to collect from births which take place in private hospitals.  CRYOLIFE claims that over 90% of the OB/Gyn doctors practicing in Hong Kong use their services.

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INTERNET:  www.cryoviva.com; Email info@cryoviva.com
PHONE: toll free 800-545-555 or call center +66 34-312-160
OFFICE: Bangkok, Thailand
STORAGE: Nakorn Pathom, Thailand

COMMENT:
Cryoviva is licensed under Cryobanks Intnl. (now known as Lifeforce Cryobanks) but is not their subsidiary.  Website in English and Thai.

SERVICES & DISCOUNT OPTIONS:

• Cryoviva staff are fluent in multiple languages and full laboratory and customer services are available 24/7.
  
• Cryoviva recommends collecting cord blood by gravity drip into bags.
• The bank does not provide courier service but will assist parents to make these arrangements.
  
• Cryoviva laboratory complies with GMP standards and is accredited by ISO 9001:2000.  It has been inspected for AABB accreditation.
  
• Laboratory technicians manually process the cord blood using Hespan sedimentation and centrifuge.
• Final storage is in blood bags with 2 compartments plus 3 segments and 3 aliquots for testing purposes.
• Cryoviva freezers use the vapor phase of liquid nitrogen.
  
• Cryoviva does not charge an enrollment fee and the first year of storage is included in the processing fees.
  

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Cryoviva Thailand is a collaborative venture among Cryobanks Intnl. USA, Cryobanks India, Indorama Thailand and RJ Corp. India.  The financial stability of Cryoviva is secured by the backing of Indorama Thailand, established by the Lohia family about 50 years ago in South East Asia.  Indorama has manufacturing units in Thailand, Indonesia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Europe, and USA; It is listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand, Indonesia and India.  The website of Cryoviva Thailand displays their Board of Directors and the Medical Advisors.

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INTERNET: www.healthbaby.hk
PHONE: (852) 3188 8899
OFFICES: Headquarters in Hong Kong Bio-Informatics Centre, Hong Kong Science Park; Additional offices in:

• Macau: (853) 2878-6717
• Thailand: Bangkok (66) 02-260-8268
• USA: 949-379-5255
  

STORAGE: Bio-Informatics Centre, Hong Kong Science Park

COMMENT:
HealthBaby of HongKong is a subsidiary company to HealthBanks of Taiwan, but they operate their own laboratory in Hong Kong Science Park.  Website in Chinese and English.

SERVICES & OPTIONS:

• The laboratory of HealthBaby operates to the same standard as HealthBanks.
  
• HealthBaby is accredited by AABB, by ISO, and by  "HOKLAS", the Hong Kong Laboratory Accreditation Scheme since year 2007.
• Standard contract includes courier transport by HealthBaby staff within Hong Kong, shipping from outside will be charged extra at cost.
• Prior to 2009 HealthBaby cord blood processing depleted red cells and plasma completely by centrifuge.
• In 2009 HealthBaby began separating MonoNuclear Cells with the AutoXpress Process (AXP)  developed by Thermogenesis.   This method is an automated, fully closed and sterile system.
• Final storage is in a bag with two compartments and two testing segments.  Bags are stored in liquid nitrogen.
• HealthBaby  uses the BioArchive automated freezer from Thermogenesis. 
  
• HealthBaby collaborates in research and development projects with universities, hospitals, and biotech companies in Hong Kong, Taiwan and the USA. 
  
• HealthyBaby scientific advisors include University of California professors Morton Cowman, G.P. Fan, and Y.E. Sun.
  
• A charity program provides free storage of public donations which are listed on a transplant registry.  One public unit is processed for every 10 private customers.
• HealthBaby has branches in Macau and Thailand  and the USA.
  

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The founder of HealthBanks (Taiwan) and Healthbaby (Hong Kong) is H.K. Chang.  Prior to cord blood banking, he was a founder of Purzer Pharmaceutical Company Limited. 

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INTERNET: www.healthbanks.com.tw; Email service@healthbanks.com.tw
PHONE: Tel: 886-2-2876-1277 ext 15
OFFICES: Headquarters in Taipei, subsidiaries in Jhongli City, Taichung City, Yongkang City, and Kaohsiung City
STORAGE: Taipei, Taiwan

COMMENT: Website in Chinese
 
SERVICES & OPTIONS:

• This company is accredited by the Taiwan Ministry of Health.
• In an April 2005 interview with the Taipei Times, the president of HealthBanks Biotech, Chang Shiu-kang, offered these statistics:
  - Taiwan's current cord blood storage market is estimated between NT$700 million and NT$800 million.
  - This market is expected to grow to NT$1.5 billion in the next three years.
  - The birthrate in Taiwan is decreasing from 15.18% in 1996 to 9.56% in 2004.
  - Only 5% of births currently store cord blood.

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INTERNET: www.lifecord.co.kr; Email postmaster@lifecord.co.kr
PHONE: 82-2-552-9413
OFFICE: Seoul, South Korea;
STORAGE: storage facility located ... 

COMMENT:

• The first family cord blood bank established in Korea.
• Lifecord uses technology licensed by the American Bank, Cord Blood Registry. Lifecord conducts research on new therapies using stem cells.
• Website in Korean and some English.

SERVICES & OPTIONS:

• Lifecord is a founding member of the Asia Pacific Cord Blood Bank Consortium and is accredited by AABB.

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INTERNET: www.sinocell.com.tw; Email  service@sinocell.com.tw  
PHONE: 886-2-2388-8978
OFFICE: headquarters in Taipei, Taiwan
STORAGE: laboratory located in a dedicated area of the Food Industry Research and Development Institute (FIRDI) in Hsinchu, Taiwan.

COMMENT:

• FIRDI is certified as an ISO-9001-2000 facility.
• SinoCell offers private banking for parents in Taiwan, and collects donated cord blood for research and development. Research projects include: ex vivo expansion of hematopoietic stem cells, and directed differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells.
• Website in Chinese and English.

SERVICES & DISCOUNT OPTIONS:

• Sino Cell Technologies is accredited by the Taiwan Ministry of Health.
• They are committed to collect from anywhere on the Taiwan island and deliver to the laboratory within 30 hours from birth. The cost of shipping is included in the contract. SinoCell collects in bags, separates MNC, and stores in multiple vials.
• Prices given in USD; option to prepay 20 years for $2300.
• At present, Taiwan's national health insurance does not cover cord blood transplantation.

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INTERNET: www.stemcell.co.jp; stemcell@stemcell.co.jp
PHONE: +81-3-5408-5279
OFFICE: Headquarters in Tokyo, Japan; additional sales offices in Nagoya, Osaka, Fukuoka.
LABORATORY: Tokyo, Japan
STORAGE: Yokohama, Japan

COMMENT:
StemCell Institute is an independent company.  They were founded in 1999, making them one of the world's oldest cord blood banks and the first in Japan.  Website in Japanese and English.

SERVICES & DISCOUNT OPTIONS:

• StemCell Institute provides bags for gravity collection of cord blood but final storage is in vials.
  
• Courier shipping is provided in the contract.  The shipping container contains gel-packs to keep the temperature cool.
  
• StemCell Institute processes cord blood by the Ficoll-Hypaque method, in which technicians put the blood through multiple cycles of centrifugation to separate out the MonoNuclear stem cells with a final volume of a few milliliters.
• Final storage is in multiple cryovials (typically 5-7) in the vapor phase of liquid nitrogen.
  
• Current prices (April 2010) are Yen147,000 for processing (enrollment is free) and Yen7,350 for annual storage.
• Discounts offered for repeat storage.
  
• As of 19 April 2010, StemCell Institute claims an inventory of 19,049 cord blood collections and has released 6 transplants (another 2 are pending).
  
• StemCell Institute is a founding member of the Asia Pacific Cord Blood Bank Consortium
  

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Since Jan. 2009, a Japanese trade association called the "Council for Private Cord Blood Banking" was founded by StemCell Institute and two other companies.  It is officially registered at the government Fair Trade Commission.  The purpose of this group is to enhance industry oversight of cord blood banking quality and consumer protection, as well as to lobby on issues of government policy and regulation.  To date (April 2010), Japan does not have any licensing or accreditation requirement for cord blood banks.  An important feature of the trade association is that it offers parents an insurance policy (for a small additional charge) to protect their cord blood in case their bank goes out of business.
 
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INTERNET: www.stemcord.com  
PHONE: (65) 6777 2002
OFFICE: Singapore 

COMMENT: First private cord blood bank in Singapore to be registered by the Ministry of Health (3/6/2002). Website in English.

SERVICES & DISCOUNT OPTIONS:

• Storage fee $500/year for years 1-5; 6th year on is $250/year.
• For twin births, second child is half price.

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INTERNET: www.stemlife.com;  Email info@stemlife.com
PHONE: 24 hour hotline (+6)  012 2050 165
OFFICE: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; additional branch offices
STORAGE: laboratory operates 24/7 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (map)

COMMENT:
StemLife is the first private cord blood bank in Malaysia.  StemLife also offers storage of adult stem cells and partners with several clinics offering regenerative medicine with adult stem cells.  Website in English and Chinese.

SERVICES & DISCOUNT OPTIONS:

• StemLife has released cord blood for 3 transplants: two cases of cancer and one of thalassemia.
  
• The majority of physicians in Malaysia prefer to collect cord blood by gravity drip into bags.
  
• Throughout Malaysia, StemLife provides bedside pick up of the cord blood by a subsidiary courier StemLife Logistics which provides a secure chain of custody.
• Any air transport is carried by Malaysian Airlines Shipping System.  There is an additional charge of RM300 for air transport on weekends and public holidays.
  
• Overseas clients have to pay extra for their courier services.
• StemLife provides an insulated shipping container with an electronic thermometer.
  
• StemLife technicians used to process cord blood manually, separating MonoNuclear Cells by centrifuge after mixing with the chemical Hespan.
• In 2009 StemLife began separating MonoNuclear Cells with the AutoXpress Process (AXP)  developed by Thermogenesis.   This method is an automated, fully closed and sterile system.
• Final storage is in dual compartment bags, in the vapor phase of cryogenic nitrogen.
  
• First year storage is included in processing fees. Prepay 20 yrs storage at reduced rate.
• Discounts to clients who are medical professionals.
  
• Through an insurance company, StemLife offers customers in Malaysia optional insurance policies called StemGuard™and Stem21™.  For an extra fee, these policies will cover the cost of stem cell storage in the event of a transplant or the loss of the parents, respectively.
• StemLife is a founding member of the Asia Pacific Cord Blood Bank Consortium
• As of February 2008, StemLife claims an inventory of over 18,000 cord blood collections.
  

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The co-founders of StemLife are Sharon Low and Christina Lim.  The StemLife website lists the Board of Directors, key staff, and Advisory Panels.  Sharon Low originally worked for the cord blood bank CordLife in Singapore, and started StemLife as a Malaysia subsidiary of CordLife.  StemLife has been independently financed since 2003.  Sharon Low maintains an excellent blog (in English, Chinese, and Malay) about cord blood stem cells and industry news at www.stemlife1.blogspot.com.  It contains many interesting highlights of recent research applications with stem cells. 

StemLife issued a public offering on 17 Oct. 2006 and is listed on the MESDAQ board of the Malaysia Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol STEMLFE.  StemLife was listed in the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 for the Asia-Pacific region in both 2006 and 2007.  StemLife is a partner In  cord blood banking companies in Thailand, Japan, and China.  StemLife has numerous relationships with hospitals, specialty therapeutic centers, or research & development centers:

• Clinical Collaboration partner with Gleneagles Hospital, Penang - cardiac surgeons are using adult stem cells for heart repair.
  
• Clinical Collaboration partner with Kuala Lumpur Sports Medicine Center (KLSMC) for Orthopedics - adult stem cells are used for knee repair.
  
• Clinical Collaboration partner with Kuala Lumpur Heart, Stroke and Cancer Center (HSC) for heart disease.
• Clinical Collaboration partner with Gleneagles Intan Hospital (KL) for diabetic foot ulcers.
•  R&D program with National University of Singapore’s Nanobiology and Nanotechnology Institute - developing scaffolding for culturing of umbilical cord blood stem cells.
• R&D program with Monash University of Australia, Malaysia Campus - inducing neural differentiation of stem cells.
• StemLife Therapeutics (24hr hotline +6 016 211 1166) operates ....
  

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INTERNET: www.stemtech-international.com
PHONE: 24 hour hotline (+6) 016-238-8000 or (+6) 016-205-7000
OFFICE + STORAGE: Selangor Science Park, Kota Damansara, Malaysia

COMMENT:
StemTech International is a subsidiary of TMC Life Sciences Bhd, listed on the Main Board of Bursa Malaysia Securities.  Website in English and Chinese.

SERVICES & DISCOUNT OPTIONS:

• StemTech International collects cord blood by gravity drip into bags.
• StemTech International provides courier shipping at room temperature.
• Laboratory technicians at StemTech International process cord blood both manually and by automated system.
• The manual processing is sedimentation after mixing with the chemical Hetastarch.
• The automated processing is with the AutoXpress Process (AXP)  developed by Thermogenesis.   This method is an automated, fully closed and sterile system.
• Price for enrollment and processing is RM2700 if manual or RM3300 for automated.
  
• Final storage is in a compartmented bag in the vapor phase of liquid nitrogen.
  
• The first year of storage is included in the processing fee.
• Discounts available for prepaid storage and for clients who are medical professionals.
  

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

StemTech International is a subsidiary of TMC Life Sciences Bhd.  They are the latest entrant into the Malaysian cord blood market, but have entered using the latest technology.    In May 2008, StemTech International held their grand opening and was licensed by the Ministry of Health.  In an interview, CEO Michael Chua declared their intention to expand into other markets, such as Indonesia.  Meanwhile, StemTech International also provides adult stem cell banking and has a strategic affiliation with TMC Group's flagship hospital, Tropicana Medical Centre.

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INTERNET:  www.thaistemlife.com or  www.thaistemlife.co.th
PHONE: 24 hour hotline 081-340-7676;  +66 2 613 1515-8
OFFICE: Bangkok, Thailand
STORAGE: Bangkok, Thailand

COMMENT:
THAI StemLife is the first stem cell storage service based in Thailand and serves the whole country.  Both cord blood and peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) are stored for transplantation.  Website in English and Thai.

SERVICES & DISCOUNT OPTIONS:

• Executive officers have backgrounds in assisted reproduction and cryopreservation.  The CEO  is Kostas Papadopoulos, M.D., Ph.D.
  
• THAI StemLife laboratory is accredited by: Thai Ministry of Public Health reg. no. 101-1000-1050; ISO 9001:2000; EU-ISO 15189 (this last is an accreditation for cellular therapy products).
  
• Transport is included in the price.  Courier service may be from TNT, DHL, World Courier and/or Thai Airways courier service.
  
• When blood arrives at the laboratory in Bangkok, it is processed within 3 hours.
  
• Blood is collected and stored in Thermogenesis bags.
• Processing method separates cell types completely by centrifuge.
• Stem cell viability is tested with CD34+ counts.
  
• Final storage is in two compartments.
  
• First year storage included in processing fees. Prepay 20 yrs storage at reduced rate.
• Payment plans (March 2008) are processing + storage 40,000 + 6,000 or 25,000 + 8,400 Baht.
• As of March 2008, THAI StemLife has cord blood collections from 150 Hospitals performed by 265 doctors all over Thailand.
• As of March 2008, THAI StemLife has provided one CB transplant,  one PBSC transplant for cancer, and over 50 PBSC for regenerative medicine treatments.
• THAI StemLife is a member of the Asia Pacific Cord Blood Bank Consortium
  

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
THAI StemLife is a joint venture between Superior Biotech Co. Ltd., and the cord blood bank StemLife in Malaysia.  The Thailand Ministry of Science and Technology-National Innovation Agency (MoST-NIA) is a shareholder in THAI StemLife.  They have provided funds for research into stem cell expansion and regenerative medicine applications.  THAI StemLife partners with numerous hospitals and clinics that serve as shareholders and resellers of services.  THAI StemLife also has research partnerships with doctors and clinics pursuing regenerative medicine applications with stem cells from the patient (autologous cells).  THAI StemLife regularly publishes their collection results (average size 862 million cells TNC) and contamination rates (external 0.7%; internal 0%) at the Thai OB/Gyn Congress.

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