Family Cord Blood Banks Serving Italy

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Private banking of cord blood for the family is not allowed in Italy.  However, it is legal for parents to export the cord blood and bank it in another country.  For more information, see the discussion of regulations in Italy.

INTERNET: www.bioinst.com
PHONE: +378 0549 909905 or +378 338 2157943
OFFICE + STORAGE: Falciano, Republic of San Marino

COMMENT:
Bioscience Institute is an independent company which owns a stem cell lab and research center in San Marino.  They are licensed to receive and send cord blood throughout the EU.  Website in Italian, English, German, French and Spanish.

CORD BLOOD SERVICES & DISCOUNT OPTIONS:

• Bioscience Institute operates in a glass enclosed laboratory where visitors can observe operations in person or on-line via webcam.
• They have a group of experts and biologists on-call and offer parents a free consultation.
• Bioscience Institute provide a sterile collection kit with extra disinfection supplies.  The blood bag already contains anti-coagulant.
• Bioscience Institute shipping container is thermally insulated and pressurized to keep the blood close to room temperature. 
  
• The contract includes courier service from anywhere within Italy or the EU.
  
• Bioscience Institute 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. 
• Bioscience Institute laboratory is certified GMP and accredited under ISO 9001:2000
• Once cord blood is frozen, it is stored in a quarantine tank. Those collections which pass infectious disease testing go into long term storage.
• Long term storage tanks are filled with the vapor phase of liquid nitrogen.
• Standard fees are (Sept 2009)  €200 (collection kit-bag) + €1800 (after processing).
  
• Processing fee includes the first year of storage, after it is €50 per year for twenty years or more.
• Finance plans are available through banks.
• Discount for sibling €500, discount for twins 50% off 2nd child.
• Bioscience contract includes newborn screening from PerkinElmer to identify more than 50 metabolic and inherited disorders.  
• In the event that the stem cells are needed by the child who banked, Bioscience Institute insures parents up to € 20.000,00 to cover expenses not paid by the public health authority.
  

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Bioscience Institute is a partner of  INBB (www.inbb.it), an Italian scientific and medical Inter-University Consortium.
• Bioscience Institute has research partnerships pursuing cord blood expansion, cord blood treatment of myocardial infarction, fibroblast culture engineering tissue.
• Bioscience Institute stores only adult stem cells and has never been, and does not intend to become, involved in the storage or expansion of embryonic stem cells.

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INTERNET: www.cryo-save.com/it/
PHONE:  Gratuito 800-438-270
OFFICE: Headquartrs of Cryo-Save Group AG in Pfäffikon SZ, Switzerland
STORAGE: Laboratory in Niel, Belgium
As of early 2005, a second portion of the processed cord blood is stored in a secret location in the Netherlands.

COMMENT:

• Cryo-Save is the largest private/family cord blood bank in Europe
  
• The Cryo-Save laboratory in Belgium serves numerous European marketing affiliates.
• Cryo-Save Group NV is a publicly held company, listed on the London stock exchange.
  

AFFILIATES: Cryo-Save has numerous international affiliates, with websites available in a rainbow of languages. These affiliates are licensed by Cryo-Save, which means they receive training and technologies, but they are free to set their own pricing and marketing. 

SERVICES & DISCOUNT OPTIONS:

• Since October 2007 Cryo-Save adopted automated laboratory processing to reduce possible contamination and increases laboratory capacity. 
  
• 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 storage divides the final stem cell sample into two blood bags. 
  
• The bags are split between two locations: the laboratory in Niel, Belgium, and a secret storage location in The Netherlands. 
• Cryo-Save operates a charity program offering free banking if a first degree relative of the baby has a medical diagnosis which is currently treatable with stem cells. Parents should contact Cryo-Save for more information.
• As of Dec. 2009, Cryo-Save claims to have 120,000  cord blood collections in storage.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Originally, the Cryo-Save laboratory in Belgium was an affiliate of the American bank Cryo-Cell International in Clearwater, Florida.  The name change, from Cryo-Cell to Cryo-Save, dates to 19Sept2003, and reflected a legal dispute in the Circuit Court of the Sixth Judicial District in the state of Florida.  As of 17Feb2004, both parties entered into an amicable settlement. 

During 2004-2006, Cryo-Save also marketed autologous storage of adult stem cells, through its "Cryo-Life" division.  Cryo-Save announced 30 January 2007 that they will also provide public cord blood storage under contract to the Italian non-profit health foundation Osidea.

Prior to 2007, Cryo-Save processed cord blood by centrifuge spinning to separate MonoNuclear Cells.  Cells separated in this manner have a small final volume and were stored in vials, typically four per collection, split between the two storage locations.  In 2007, Cryo-Save switched to final storage in two bags.

Cryo-Save became part of the European holding company, Life-Sciences Group NV, and on 6Nov2007 went public as Cryo-Save Group NV.  As of  22Oct2009 they also are listed on the NYSE in Amsterdam.  Since going public, Cryo-Save Group has acquired or launched other cord blood banks:

• 31 Jan. 2008: Acquisition Sejtbank Hungary
• 13 Mar. 2008: Launch Cryo-Save India
• 08 Jul. 2008: Acquisition Crio-Cord Spain
• 22 Jul. 2008: Acquisition Cryo-Save Balcanica Greece
• 14 Jul. 2009: Acquisition Salus Futura, UK / Italy (service provider)

Cryo-Save has the largest inventory of private/family cord blood storage in Europe, and they claim to hold a 50% share of the European market.  The Cryo-Save Group has never been, and does not intend to become, involved in the storage or expansion of embryonic stem cells.  Cryo-Save Group is a founding member of the International Tissue Engineering Research Association, an international scientific and medical consortium.  Cryo-Save is also the leading founder of Cord Blood Europe.

In Sept 2009, Cryo-Save moved from their laboratory in Mechelen Belgium to a brand new one in Niel Belgium.

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INTERNET:
www.famicord.itamicord.it
PHONE:  800-864-987
OFFICE: Milan, Italy
STORAGE: Laboratory of Community Blood Services, in state of New Jersey, USA

COMMENT:
FamiCord.eu is a network of banks and marketing companies all owned by or in partnership with the cord blood bank PBKM in Poland.

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INTERNET: www.futurehealth.co.uk; or Email infoitalia@futurehealth.co.uk
PHONE: +39 06 9025161
OFFICE: UK / EU headquarters in Nottingham, England
STORAGE: Nottingham Science and Technology Park, a technology incubator next to the University of Nottingham, Nottingham UK.  Future Health laboratory holds the following accreditations:

• UK Human Tissue Authority (HTA) License 11058 (1 Sept 2006)
• UK HTA Renewal License 22503 (2 April 2008, expires April 2011)
• ISO 9001: Certificate number- FS 554566
  

COMMENT: Future Health holds a full HTA License and their cord blood may be legally used at any hospital within the EU; either for the donor, the donor's family, or an unrelated person.  Website in multiple languages.

CORD BLOOD BANKING SERVICES:

• Collection bag is custom-designed and already contains CPD anti-coagulant.  Individual aluminum sterile packaging with two needles for increased safety. Needles have increased diameter to maximize the volume collected.
• The timing of the collection, whether before or after delivery of the placenta, is at the discretion of the healthcare professional.
• Future Health base price includes shipping.
• All shipping containers are carried by medical couriers (in most countries this is DHL).
• The cord blood and the cord tissue are transported in a fully accredited thermal shipping box for protection against adverse temperature conditions (ΙΑΤΑ και UN3373) by couriers approved for medical samples. The proprietary transportation box was designed by Future Health. 
  
• The transportation system was tested and accredited by the independent agency Institut Belge de l’Emabllage sprl, which tests packaging for compliance with I.A.T.A. regulations.  Accreditation number: P1 650 Conform DHL / IBE G-07.004
• Maternal blood tests are conducted with PCR (NAT) testing.
• Processing is conducted in sterile Clean Rooms in laboratories owned by Future Health (grade B Clean Rooms & grade A laminar flow work areas)
• Future Health processing method is 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. 
• Cord blood collections pass through testing for contamination, quality, cell counts and viability.
• If the cord blood fails quality control, there is no charge for processing.
• Final storage is in a bag with multiple compartments plus testing segments.
• Future Health saves all the components of cord blood, not just the stem cells, in order to cover all possibilities of future use. They also store samples of red blood cells and plasma. These samples can be used for future testing, diagnostic purposes, tissue typing (histocompatibility testing) or any other future medical use without disturbing the main sample.
• The freezer tanks, called "dewars", are filled with the vapour phase of liquid nitrogen.
• Before being placed in the freezer tanks the blood bags receive a secondary protective overwrap bag, which is designed to prevent any cross-contamination between collections in the tank.
  
• Each cord blood collection is placed in a metal outer storage canister for enhanced mechanical protection, with a metallic bar coded identification label.
• The initial 6 months of storage are spent in a quarantine tank.  These multiple precautions against contamination ensure that the cord blood is safe for use by an unrelated donor.
• The freezer tanks are capable of operating without electricity and there is 24/7 recording of storage condition parameters.
• The laboratory is protected by a 24/7 security system and security personnel on site.
• Private client information is handled according to the UK Data Protection Act
• Future Health offers EU families the choice of annual storage payments or a 20 year contract.
• Discount of 20% processing and storage fees for returning customers; twin discount 50% on 2nd child.
• As of Dec. 2009, Future Health claims an inventory of over 27,000 cord blood collections.
• Future Health is one of the founding members of Cord Blood Europe.

CORD TISSUE BANKING SERVICES:

• Future Health is the first and to date (March 2010) only UK Human Tissue Bank to offer a service to collect and store cord tissue as well as cord blood. 
• Future Health only offers cord tissue storage with cord blood service.  The collection kit and storage fee are only charged once for the combined service.
• The tissue of the umbilical cord, which doctors call "Wharton's Jelly" is a rich source of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), a cell type which is common in bone marrow but hard to obtain from cord blood.
• MSC have great potential in the field of regenerative medicine because they can differentiate to form tissues such as bone, cartilage, tendon or muscle.
• Clinical trials with MSC are exploring their use to suppress GvHD, treat heart attacks, and treat mutliple sclerosis.
• Optimal methods of processing and storing MSC are an area of ongoing research. 
  
• FutureHealth offers these options for cord tissue preservation:

1. Minimal Manipulation: freeze a section of the cord a few cm long. 
2. MSC extraction and cryopreservation.
3. MSC extraction, expansion, and cryopreservation. (not commercially available yet)
   

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INTERNET: www.genico.ch, Email info@genico.ch
PHONE: +41 840 888 555
OFFICE: Losone, Switzerland
STORAGE: Losone, Switzerland

COMMENTS:
Genico is a private company located in the Italian speaking side of Switzerland, which markets throughout Europe.  Website in Italian.

SERVICES & DISCOUNT OPTIONS:

• Genico does not own their own laboratory, instead they work with a variety of different laboratories depending on the location of the customer and the local regulations.
• The philosophy of Genico is to monitor the quality standards of the labs they use and reserve the option to move their inventory to a better lab if they are not satisfied.
  
• Genico collects in bags.
• Cost includes courier transport by DHL at ambient temperature.
• Genico presents clients with a Cryogenic Certificate describing the location of stored cord blood.
  
• Discount € 200 for returning client, for twins the 2nd child is half price.
• Traditional price model is an all-inclusive fee of  € 2480 for collection, processing, and 30 (not 20) years of storage.
  

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INTERNET: www.inscientiafides.com
PHONE: 800-913-765, or +378 0549 900994
OFFICE + STORAGE: Domagnano, Republic of San Marino

COMMENT:  Website in Italian.

SERVICES & DISCOUNT OPTIONS:

• The contract with InScientiaFides includes transport of the blood to their laboratory.
  
• InScientiaFides operates a GMP class research laboratory, accredited by ISO 9001:2000.
• Visitors are allowed to see the lab.
• InScientiaFides price includes storage for 30 years.
• Price also includes expanded newborn metabolic screening.
  

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INTERNET: www.pcsc.ch
PHONE: +41 91 911 34 44 (multi-language)
OFFICE: Lugano, Switzerland
STORAGE: Lugano, Switzerland

COMMENT:
ProCrea Stem Cells (PCSC) benefits from the 20 years of experience and expertise in cryopreservation of biological materials at the Procrea Centro Fertilità.  Website in Italian, German, and French.

SERVICES & DISCOUNT OPTIONS:

• ProCrea recommends collection of cord blood before delivery of the placenta, because this has been shown to increase collection volume.
• ProCrea collection kit contains a bag for gravity collection of cord blood (bag volume 250 ml, containing 35 ml of the anti-coagulant CPD).
• ProCrea contract includes courier shipping.  Because ProCrea follows FACT/Netcord standards, the cord blood must be stored within 48 hours from birth.  They use DHL and two other dedicated courier companies to insure courier transport is available any day of the week.
  
• The shipping container is hermetically sealed and includes a temperature data logger.
  
• ProCrea 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. 
• ProCrea is accredited by Swissmedic, department of the national Ministry of Health. Swissmedic (Swiss Agency for Therapeutic Products) inspects the bank every yea and requires the bank to follow the FACT/Netcord guidelines.
• ProCrea stores the separated cells in a cryobag, plus they store a vial of whole cord blood and 2 vials of plasma.
  
• Storage freezers use the vapour phase of liquid nitrogen.
• Prices within Switzerland are CHF 650 enrollment and CHF 2550 processing.  Prices include TVA fees.
  
• Price includes 20 years of storage.
• If the cord blood is not suitable for cryopreservation, either because of contamination, infectious disease, or low collection volume, then there is no charge to parents beyond the enrollment.
  

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

ProCrea uses Swiss partners for transport and laboratory analysis, and the Sepax processing equipment is Swiss-made. ProCrea staff are always available to answer questions from parents and they provide technical training to staff at their collection centers.  The ProCrea Fertility Center provides access to qualified gynecologists, biologist and laboratory technicians.  ProCrea has an accredited (ISO/IEC 17025) molecular genetic laboratory that offers testing for various genetic diseases. 

ProCrea markets to Switzerland and the general EU.  But due to the political situation in Italy, which forbids family cord blood storage within Italy, ProCrea receives 75-80% of their clients from Italy.

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INTERNET: www.smartbank.it;  Email info@smartbank.it
PHONE: +39 06 4424 3328
OFFICE: Roma, Italy
STORAGE: BioVault cryogenic laboratory in Plymouth, England.  BioVault holds the following accreditations:

• United Kingdom Human Tissue Authority, License 11063.
  
• GMP compliant as  Tissue Bank 1045465.
• ISO 9001:2000 certification number US04/3798.

 
COMMENT: 
SmartBank was the first Italian company to offer cord blood storage.  SmartBank contracts to the BioVault laboratory, the only facility in the UK which is licensed for both private banking and public storage (for the UK National Health Service).  The Italian company SmartBank is ISO 9001:2000 certified for any procurement activity (information, education, commerce and logistics).


SERVICES & DISCOUNT OPTIONS:

• Enrollment fee of €250 covers collection kit and is not refundable.
  
• SmartBank collects cord blood in bags.
  
• Technicians in the laboratory at BioVault separate MonoNuclear Cells by centrifuge.
• Laboratory provides the stem cell marker CD34+ test used by transplant centres.
• Final storage is in Pall blood bags which have two portions holding 80%/20% volume.
  
• Cryogenic storage is in the vapour phase of liquid nitrogen.
  
• SmartBank contract includes 20 years of storage.
• HLA typing is offered for an additional fee of €350
• SmartBank offers families the right to withdraw their contract at no cost in case of poor collection. 
• SmartBank also offers Italian families a donation option.
  

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The founder and Scientific Director of SmartBank is Irene Martini, PhD.

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INTERNET: www.stembank.ch
PHONE: +41 91 260 32 05
OFFICE: Lugano, Switzerland
STORAGE: Lugano, Switzerland

COMMENT: Swiss Stem Cells Bank (SSCB) is the first cord blood laboratory in Switzerland.  Website languages: Italian, German, French, and English.

SERVICES & DISCOUNT OPTIONS:

• Swiss Stem Cells Bank 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. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Swiss Stem Cells Bank originated from the co-operation between two well known medical entities in Switzerland: the Molecular diagnostics laboratory and the Cardiocentro Ticino in Lugano.  Swiss Stem Cells Bank is one of the founding members of Cord Blood Europe.

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INTERNET: www.vitafutura.it Email posta@vitafutura.it
PHONE: +39 0362 55 90 13
OFFICE: Bovisio (Milano) Italy
STORAGE: StellaCure GmbH, in Frankfurt, Germany

COMMENT:
Vitafutura is an independent Italian company which serves clients in Italy but uses the laboratory of the German Red Cross in Frankfurt, Germany.  Website in Italian.

CORD BLOOD SERVICES & DISCOUNT OPTIONS:

• Vitafutura operates in partnership with the German cord blood bank StellaCure GmbH, which in turn has a partnership with the Frankfurt laboratory of the German Red Cross, "Blutspendedienst des DRK Baden- Württemberg- Hessen”
• Although Vitafutura began operations in 2009, the laboratory has operated as a public cord blood bank since 1996.  All cord blood collections go through the same level of quality control required for public donations of cord blood.
• Vitafutura collects cord blood by gravity drip into a blood bag.
• Vitafutura guarantees 48h courier service, with Italian Red Cross or San Carlo Cross or DHL. 
  
• The shipping container includes a thermometer to monitor temperature during shipping.
• The laboratory processing method uses the automated Sepax system from the Swiss company Biosafe.  Sepax is an automated cell separation system which relies on a light 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 bags with two compartments 80%/20% as well as several small testing portions.
  
• Once cord blood is frozen, it is stored in a quarantine tank using vapour phase of liquid nitrogen.  Those collections which pass infectious disease testing go into long term storage in liquid nitrogen.
• Vitafutura offers complete future mother assistance, a course to correctly use kit and pack the blood bag, blood processing and 21 year of storage at 2500 Euros fees (48h DHL transport service is for free)
• Discount available for twins delivery
  

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