Private Cord Blood Banks in Middle East

INTERNET: www.babycordjordan.com
PHONE: +962 6 568 2699
OFFICE: Amman, Jordan
LABORATORY:  New England Cord Blood Bank,  Boston, USA

COMMENT:
BabyCord Jordan is an affiliate of the New England Cord Blood Bank (NECBB).  They are the first company to offer cord blood banking in Jordan.  Website in English.

SERVICES & DISCOUNT OPTIONS:

• BabyCord Jordan collects cord blood in bags and ships them to NECBB for processing. 
  
• BabyCord Jordan recommends collecting cord blood after delivery of the placenta, the physician may use either a syringe or gravity.
  
• BabyCord Jordan provides courier service to carry the collection.
• The shipping container is customized with coolant packs, because the warm climate is the main shipping problem in the Middle East, in addition to reflecting insulating material.
• NECBB processing method uses the AutoXpress Process (AXP)  developed by Thermogenesis.   The AXP is an automated, fully closed, and sterile system that consistently retrieves 97% of the MonoNucleated Cells (MNC) from cord blood (see the page on lab processing).
• NECBB still offers manual processing of smaller collections by Ficoll-Hypaque density centrifugation.
• Final cryogenic storage is in AXP multi-compartment bags.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
BabyCord Jordan was one of the first cord blood banks established in Arab nations; they have been operating since 2005.  BabyCord Jordan has collected cord blood from Syria, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt and the West Bank.  BabyCord Jordan is approved by the Ministry of Health and is the only cord blood bank that is USA FDA approved operating in Jordan.  The NECBB laboratory is accredited by AABB.

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INTERNET: www.biocord.co.il (alternate address: www.lifebank.co.il ); Email services@biocord.co.il
PHONE: 1-800-80-81-82
OFFICE: Ramat Gan, Israel
LABORATORY:  Assuta Hospital of the Macabi Health Services, Tel Aviv, Israel

COMMENT:

• BioCord is a private company which started with funding from the Israeli Chief Scientist in the Israeli Ministry of Commerce & Industry. This government program provides funding to selected private R&D companies.
• BioCord is not related to any other cord blood banks, in various parts of the world, named LifeBank.
  
• The business model of BioCord is based on training from the USA bank Cord Blood Registry (CBR), but there is no ongoing relationship between them.
  
• Website in Hebrew.

SERVICES & DISCOUNT OPTIONS:

• BioCord has the exclusive license in Israel to use the patent-pending SituGen collection kit and procedure invented by Miki Shacham, CEO of BioCord's sister company SituGen Ltd.  They claim the device yields average collection volumes of 150 ml of blood, as compared to the typical collection volume of 85 ml.
• The Biocord Scientific Advisory Board is headed by Prof. Arnon Nagler, one of the original founders of NETCORD and EUROCORD.  Prof. Nagler is also the head of the Sheba public cord blood bank .
• The BioCord processing method separates mononuclear cells with two cycles of centrifuge spinning. Their Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) follow the protocols recommended by FACT/Netcord.
• BioCord guarantees processing within 8 hours for any collections within Israel, including Shabbat.
• BioCord stores in vials which have been wrapped in cryosheath insulation.
  
• The processing fee includes secure courier transport and any reimbursement to the personnel who deliver the baby.
  
• Payments plans are available. Storage fee fixed. Prepay 20 yrs storage at reduced rate of US$1,190.
• Refund offered if the cord blood can't be collected or if the collection fails infectious disease testing.
• Parents have the option of storing in two locations for an additional one-time fee (US$145 Sept 2006).
• Refer a friend, get US$72 off the next storage payment.
• Charity program provides free banking if a sibling has a disease treated with transplantation.
• BioCord will automatically provide an insurance payment of ILS 100,00 if the stem cells are needed for transplant by an immediate relative of the baby over the next 21 years.
• Additional international insurance can be purchased for a transplant of any kind.
  

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INTERNET: www.medcells.ae or Email infome@cells4life.co.uk
PHONE: +971 4 311 6613
OFFICE: Dubai Health Care City, Dubai, UAE
STORAGE: Cells4Life Ltd. UK operates their own laboratory in Brighton, storage is split between the Brighton Lab and a facility in Essex.

COMMENT: Med Cells International FZ LLC is the sole distributor of Cells4Life in the Middle East.  Cells4Life lab in the UK is accredited for whole blood storage by the UK Dept. of Health:

• HTA license number 11083
• MHRA tissue bank license number 105438

SERVICES & DISCOUNT OPTIONS:

• MedCells provides dedicated courier transport of the blood.
  
• Cells4Life collection kit includes extra supplies in case of need.
  
• Cells4Life is the only UK company to store whole blood, not just the stem cells.  In this way, any cellular component which may be needed later is stored, including HSC’s, MSC’s and VSEL’s.
• Cells4Life stores in 3 to 6 separate samples, in case the family wishes to use a portion at a time.
  
• Cells4Life is the only UK company whose lab operates 24/7, 365 days of the year.
  
• The storage plan price covers collection kit, courier transport, all maternal blood testing, cryopreservation, and storage.
  
• Cells4Life prepaid storage period is 25 years.
  
• Discounts available for twins and existing Cells4Life clients.
  
• Final storage is in two separate geographic locations.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Med Cells was originally founded in late 2005 by Darryn Keast, who was looking for a stem cell storage company to store his own child’s stem cells at birth.  Med Cells was set up in Dubai Health Care City as a Medical Sales and Marketing Company, as well as to provide Management Consultancy Services in the medical industry.  ArabianBusiness.com reports that Med Cells launched Cells4Life services in Aug 2009.  Med Cells has affiliate offices across the Middle East region including UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan and Lebanon.

Cells4Life was founded and operated by British medical scientists; they do not perform stem cell research.  When they started in 2003, the entire operation of Cells4Life was run out of the Sussex Innovation Centre, a technology incubator partly sponsored by the University of Sussex, in East Sussex UK.  As of 2007, they have established their own laboratory and storage in Brighton, and also have a second storage facility in Essex.

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INTERNET: www.cci.co.il
PHONE: +972-9-9519595
OFFICE: Herzelia Pituach, Israel
STORAGE: Laboratory in Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center -or-
at  Cryo-Save (formerly known as Cryo-Cell Europe) in Niel, Belgium.

COMMENT:
Cryo-Cell Israel has been an affiliate of the European bank Cryo-Save since 2002.  Starting in 2007, clients may choose between the lab in Israel, the lab in Belgium, or store half the collection in each location.

SERVICES & DISCOUNT OPTIONS:

• Cryo-Cell Israel collects in bags
• Cryo-Cell Israel collects from all hospitals in Israel.
• The processing fee includes courier transport by World Courier.
  
• The laboratory in Israel processes cord blood manually, using centrifuge spinning (known as Ficoll-Hypaque cell separation) in a clean room.
  
• The Cryo-Save laboratory in Belgium separates mononuclear cells with the 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 Sepax system uses a blood bag which is sterile, functionally closed, and single-use.
• Cryo-Cell Israel says that their final storage is in vials, for both the Israel lab and the Belgium lab.
• For clients in Israel, Cryo-Cell service includes a one million dollar insurance policy covering the parents and siblings of the baby.  The policy covers up to one million dollars in medical expenses, including the search for matching stem cells on international registries if necessary.
  
• Service is also available for international clients.
  

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INTERNET: www.cryo-save.com/ae/en/
PHONE: +971 (4) 360 4410 or 800-CRYO
OFFICE: HQ at Dubai Knowledge Village Boutique Offices, UAE
LABORATORY: Dubai Biotechnology and Research Park, UAE

COMMENT:
Cryo-Save Arabia is the Dubai affiliate of the European bank Cryo-Save.  However, unlike many Cryo-Save affiliates which ship cord blood to the Cryo-Save lab in Belgium, Cryo-Save Arabia has a lab in Dubai.

REGIONAL OFFICES:

• Kuwait: +965 944 35736 or email:infoarabia@cryo-save.com
• Bahrain: +973 3 692 9212 or email: infoarabia@cryo-save.com
• Qatar: +974 588 3543 or email: infoarabia@cryo-save.com

SERVICES & DISCOUNT OPTIONS:

• Cryo-Save Arabia has a laboratory in Dubai, to ensure cord blood is processed within the shortest period possible, as the viability of stem cells will decline over time and with temperature variations.
  
• Courier service is provided as part of the contract, using the company DHL.
• The facility and procedures of Cryo-Save Arabia are modeled after the Belgium headquarters of Cryo-Save,  which is accredited by Beltest in accordance with EN ISO 17025 and has over 100,000 clients.
• Cryo-Save Arabia laboratory has been accredited under AABB international standards.
  
• Cryo-Save Arabia processing facility in Dubai 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.
  
• Final storage is in a blood bag with 2 compartments (80% and 20%) with 2-3 testing segments.
• The smaller bag portion is sent to Europe for long term storage.  Contract price includes 20 years of storage.
  
• Discounts are available for repeat clients and multiple births.
• Special assistance for families in immediate need of a stem cell transplant.
  

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Cryo-Save Arabia was officially launched on Sept 11, 2006, by the UAE Minister of Health, Humaid Mohammed Obaid Al Qutami.  The Medical Director of Cryo-Save Arabia is Ayad Ajeel, MD, and the Executive Manager is Sarah Al-Hajali, BSc, MSc.

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INTERNET: www.dubaicordblood.com
PHONE: +971 4 219 4010
OFFICE: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
LABORATORY: Al Wasl Hospital, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

COMMENT:
The first cord blood bank serving UAE which uses a lab in UAE.
The Dubai Cord Blood & Research Centre is a program of the government Dept of Health and Medical Services (DOHMS)which provides both public banking of donations for transplants and private banking for families.

SERVICES & DISCOUNT OPTIONS:

• DCRC collects and stores in bags; processing method separates MonoNuclear Cells completely by centrifuge.
• Cord blood collection and storage is provided by DOHMS.
• Courier service is provided as part of the contract, using the company DHL.
  
• The price of US$1700 includes 20 years of storage.
  

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The Dubai Cord Blood & Research Centre (DCRC), is being set up under the direction of His Highness Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance and Industry, and the generous donation from His Highness General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai, with the vision to find remedies for thousands of patients nationwide suffering from life-threatening diseases using cord blood stem cell therapy. The DCRC has been founded to collect, process and storage umbilical cord blood for use in treatment and research.

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INTERNET: www.healthtechco.com
OFFICE: Iran
STORAGE: lab and storage facilities of Cryo-Save  in Niel, Belgium (accredited under ISO17025).

SERVICES & DISCOUNT OPTIONS:

•  see description of Cryo-Save Europe
  

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INTERNET: www.futurehealth.co.uk; or Email info@futurehealth.co.uk
PHONE: +44 115 967 7707
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.

MIDDLE  EAST AFFILIATES: 

• Jordan: Alzanbaqa Medical Complex., Amman +962 6 4622301 or info-me@futurehealth.co.uk
• Kuwait: + 965 99470865 or info@futurehealth.co.uk
• Lebanon: +961 44 00 458 or info@futurehealth.co.uk
• Saudi Arabia: +966 1479 3000 or info-ksa@futurehealth.co.uk
• Syria: +963 11 4646 273 or info@futurehealth.co.uk
• UAE: +971 501 416121 or info-me@futurehealth.co.uk

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
• 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.
  
• 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.talachaim.co.il
PHONE: 1-700-700-577
OFFICE: Tel Aviv, Israel
LABORATORY: Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel

COMMENT:
Medifreeze is also known as  "Ta-la-chaim", which is Hebrew for  "a cell for life".

SERVICES & DISCOUNT OPTIONS:

• Medifreeze is an independent company, not an affiliate or subsidiary of another cord blood bank.
• The oldest public cord blood bank in Israel was originally headquartered at Hadassah, but has now moved to Magen David Adom (MDA).  The Medifreeze private bank is the only bank operating in the Hadassah lab today.
  
• The transplant quota listed in the pricing table is from the Netcord records for the Hadassah public bank.
• Medifreeze collects from all hospitals in Israel, no exceptions.
• Medifreeze collection and final storage are in blood bags.
• The Medifreeze processing method separates mononuclear cells with the 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.
• The processing fee includes courier transport within Israel by 7/24/365 Real Time Delivery.  International customers are responsible to hire their own courier.
• There are no enrollment or cancellation fees.
• All-inclusive processing fee covers 20 years of storage.
• Discounts are available for low-income families and patients with relevant medical history.
• Medifreeze does not sell health insurance because in Israel all expenses related to stem cell transplants are paid by the state anyway.
  

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INTERNET: www.rsct.ir
PHONE:  (+98 21) 22327438 - 22327439 - 22327440 – 22514652
OFFICE + LABORATORY: Tehran, Iran

COMMENTS: 
Royan Stem Cell Technology is the only private cord blood bank based in Iran and serves the whole country.  Website in English and Persian.

SERVICES & DISCOUNT OPTIONS:

• Royan Stem Cell Tech is accredited by the Deputy for Health Affairs of Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education
• Royan Stem Cell Tech is committed to collect from anywhere in Iran and deliver to the laboratory within 24 hours from birth.
• Collections may be performed before or after delivery of the placenta, using bags and gravity method.
• Royan Stem Cell Technology provides a sterile collection bag which already contains anti-coagulant.
• The shipping container is insluated and has ice packs to keep temperature near 4C.
  
• Clients pay extra for courier services.
• Technicians at the laboratory in Tehran manually separate MonoNuclear Cells, which include stem cells.
• The laboratory operates 365 days of the year, with no Holidays off.
  
• If the number of collected stem cells is low (for transplant use), parents are informed and given the choice to store it anyway or not store it.
• The final sample of MonoNuclear Cells is tested for CD34+ counts.
• A supplementary service is offered 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.
• Final storage is in both bags and vials.
• Initially processed collections are stored in a quarantine tank in the vapour phase of liquid nitrogen.
• Those collections which pass infectious disease testing go into long term storage in liquid nitrogen.
• Contract covers 20 years of storage and the first year of storage is included in the processing fee.
• Gift Registry is available.
  
• As of Sept 2009, Royan Stem Cell Tech. claims an inventory of 9000 collections.
• If the cord blood is needed for transplant, there will be NO CHARGE for retrieval.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Royan Stem Cell Technology is a private company, not a subsidiary of a multi-national company.  They promise never to conduct research with client's cells, or to donate cells without the parent's permission.

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INTERNET: www.taburit.co.il; or Email Leah Levi 
PHONE:  1-700-500-117
OFFICE+LABORATORY: Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Haematology Institute of the Chaim Sheba Medical Centre of Tel Hashomer Hospital in Israel (near Tel Aviv).

COMMENTS: 
"Taburit" is Hebrew for "umbilical"

SERVICES & DISCOUNT OPTIONS:

• The Chaim Sheba Medical Centre operates both public and private cord blood banks.
• The Sheba public cord blood bank was founded in 2001 by Prof. Arnon Nagler, one of the original founders of NETCORD.  The public Sheba cord blood bank participates in the US National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP). 
  
• Taburit is the private Sheba cord blood bank.  The managing directorof Taburit is Dr. Avi Treves.
  
• Final storage is in liquid nitrogen.
• Taburit business model is to market cord blood services on the basis of an accompanying insurance plan:  Should the client need the stem cells for transplantation, Taburit will cover expenses anywhere in the world, including the procurement of replacement stem cells if necessary.
• Taburit claims to be the largest cord blood bank in Israel, with the biggest market share. 
  

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

On 15 July 2004, the Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz reported that the Sheba cord blood bank had partnered with the insurance company Taburit, founded by Amnon Paltz.   "Taburit" became the name of the private cord blood bank in 2005.  The private bank has a strategic alliance with the private cord blood bank LifeBank, in Cyprus.  Taburit has a prestigious Scientific Board.


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INTERNET: www.smartcells.com; Email uae@smartcells.com
PHONE: +971 (4)  429-8382
OFFICE: Intnl HQ in London; Gulf Region HQ in Dubai
STORAGE:  Smart Cells has their own laboratory in the UK.  Lab accreditation by UK Human Tissue Authority, License 22522.
 
COMMENT: 
As of spring 2009, SmartCells has established their own laboratory in West Drayton near Heathrow airport.

AFFILIATES:
The Smart Cells service package may differ from one country to another according to local regulations.  Please check the local office for details. 

• Bahrain +973 3 983-3084
• Dubai, UAE: +971 50 200-9660 or +971 4 429-8382 or Email uae@smartcells.com
• Jordan: +962 6 551 6800 or Email rana.khoury@GMK.com.jo
• Kuwait: +965-665-65372 or Email kuwait@smartcells.com
  
• Lebanon (Beirut): "Cryogene" +961 125 37 28 or Email lb@smartcells.com
  
• Syria: +963-11-6210804 or Email chafik_homsi@yahoo.com

SERVICES & DISCOUNT OPTIONS:

• Enrollment fee of AED3500 (Dubai currency) covers collection kit and is not refundable.
• Smart Cells uses a proprietary collection kit designed to maintain the cord blood at ambient temperature during shipping.
• Smart Cells 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. 
• Smart Cells uses their own lab for all tests associated with storage.
  
• 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.
  
• Smart Cells stores 100% of your child's stem cells for your family.
• The Smart Cells contract covers 25 years of storage.
  
• Smart Cells will not conduct any research on your child's cells, nor will they donate any cells without your permission.
  
• Clients will receive a complete refund if the cells are transplanted within one year of storage. 
  
• No hidden costs.  Payment plans are available and discounts on pre-paid storage are available.
  
• As of May 2009, Smart Cells claims an inventory of 15,000 cord blood collections from 12 countries, and has released 2 successful transplants.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
This company has always been independently owned. It was formerly named CryoCare (UK) Ltd and prior to 2004 used the Cryo-Save laboratory in Mechelen, Belgium.  The managing director of Smart Cells International is Shamshad Ahmed.  Smart Cells also has an Advisory Board of leaders in the fields of medicine and ethics.  The General Manager of the Gulf Region is Dr. Denise De Wiest.

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INTERNET: www.virginhealthbank.com or Email enquiries@virginhealthbank.com
PHONE: +974 491 2611
OFFICE: Qatar Science & Technology Park, Doha, Qatar
STORAGE: BioVault, Plymouth Intnl. Medical and Technology Park, Plymouth, UK

COMMENT: Virgin Health Bank has moved their HQ from the UK to Qatar, where they are building a laboratory to be operational Dec. 2010.  Meanwhile, they continue to use the lab of BioVault in the UK.  Virgin Health Bank holds a UK limited HTA License 22514 covering procurement and distribution of cord blood.

SERVICES & DISCOUNT OPTIONS:

• Virgin Health Bank provides a private banking service for families in Qatar that combines traditional family storage with compliance with Shariah Law.
  
• Virgin Health Bank provides parent education at partner birthing hospitals.
• Virgin Health Bank delivers training and education programmes for doctors and midwives within its partner hospitals: Womens, Al-Khor, Al-Ahli and Al-Emadi.
• The BioVault laboratory has stored over 16,000 cord blood samples and released 760 for transplantation.
• Virgin Health Bank charges a single fee of 12,950 QR which covers the collection kit, the collection, maternal and cord blood testing, processing and 20 years of storage.
• Virgin Health Bank’s services comply with Shariah Law and are covered by a Fatwa published in the Fourth Book of Contemporary Fatwas by Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi in 2009.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Virgin Health Bank is an enterprise under the "Virgin" brand name founded by Richard Branson.  They first launched cord blood banking in the UK in early 2007.  At that time Business Week reported that Branson supplied the Virgin brand name while the bulk of the $20 million financing was supplied by the biotech venture capital firm, Excalibur (formerly Merlin Biosciences, the private equity house of Professor Sir Christopher Evans OBE).  Profits were split equally, but Branson pledged that Virgin's share would be donated to support research in umbilical cord blood stem cells.

In March 2009, The Qatar Foundation and Virgin Health Bank announced a partnership to relocate the headquarters of VHB QSTP to the Qatar Science & Technology Park in Doha, along with the commissioning of a brand new cryogenic storage facility.  In Dec. 2009, the Gulf Times reported that Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) announced a memorandum of understanding with Virgin Health Bank QSTP (VHB) for private cord blood stem cell banking starting Feb. 2010.  The director of HMC, Dr. Hanan al-Kuwari, said they handle almost 90% of births in Qatar, and she claimed this is the first agreement in the Arab nations between a public healthcare establishment and a private cord blood stem cell bank.  The CEO of VHB QSTP is Dr. Rajan Jethwa, who is trained at Cambridge as a surgeon and practiced with the NHS in the UK before moving on to a series of positions in business development.

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