Family Bank: Progenics

About

Progenics Cord Blood Cryobank is a reputable global leader for cord blood and cord tissue banking. Progenics developed and meticulously refined the unique “double-extraction” processing method, ensuring that the absolute highest quality possible is achieved. As a quality guarantee, parents are entitled to a full refund of all cord blood processing fees if the yield of Total Nucleated Cells (TNCs) from processing is less than 85%. To promote trust, Progenics publishes their Quality Reports annually. Progenics’ confidence in their quality and their customer transparency is unmatched. 

Labs and Locations

Progenics has multiple offices in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). The Progenics processing laboratory and corporate offices are located in North York, Ontario. The permanent storage facility for all cryopreserved samples is located in Markham, Ontario.  All locations are monitored 24/7 for environmental conditions, ensuring the safety of all samples and equipment. Physical access to the processing lab and storage facility is restricted to authorized staff members, and all locations are monitored by a sophisticated video surveillance system during non-operational hours. The corporate offices, laboratory, and storage facility are all privately owned by Progenics. 

Business Experience

Progenics Cord Blood Cryobank is proudly Canadian-owned and was established in 2004. As of December 2022, Progenics has successfully banked cord blood and cord tissue samples for more than 23,000 families. Progenics is registered with both Health Canada and the USA FDA. Progenics is accredited by both international cord blood standards, AABB and FACT, and has experience in releasing stored cord blood for successful transplantation.

Collection Kit

Progenics’ Cord Blood Collection Bags are manufactured and supplied by Pall Medical and undergo an extensive sterilization process by the manufacturer prior to use.  The bags are certified for use by Health Canada, the FDA, and are CE marked, under the Medical Devices Directive for the collection of cord blood.

Shipping Info

Progenics uses a qualified, designated medical courier to ship collected cord blood and cord tissue samples. The courier is available 24/7 and shipments are handled with high priority to ensure fastest processing times and highest quality results. Progenics has experience shipping samples in Canada, United States, China, Trinidad and Tobago, and Barbados.

Processing Method

Progenics Cord Blood Cryobank uses a modified double stem cell extraction processing technique, developed and published by the company's founder Dr. Hongyou Yang. This technique allows Progenics to obtain a high rate of recovery for Total Nucleated Cells (TNCs). Their commitment to these high quality standards is evidenced by the fact that Progenics publishes an annual Quality Report on their website.

Components Stored

After banking, clients will receive a Certificate of Quality. This is proof of successful collection, with detailed results displayed to show that the maximum therapeutic potential of the processed cord blood unit has been achieved for a transplant, should a medical need arise in the future. This includes the cord blood volume collected, post processing yield (%) of Total Nucleated Cells (TNC), and the Total Number of TNC (including stem cells) banked for transplantation.

Storage Method

The Progenics fire and water-resistant storage facility is equipped with backup generators, in the event of a power failure. In addition, the storage facility and the temperature inside the freezers are monitored 24 hours daily by security, video surveillance and environmental monitoring and alarm systems. In case of emergencies, backup liquid nitrogen freezers are available at their storage facility which can be used immediately to transfer the contents of a malfunctioning freezer. To prevent contamination, freezing bags are over-wrapped, sealed, and stored in secure metal cassettes. Cord blood samples are stored in the vapour phase of cryogenic nitrogen.

Licensing & Accreditation

Progenics is registered with both Health Canada and the USA FDA. Progenics is the only Canadian-owned family cord blood bank to be accredited by FACT (the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy), which is considered worldwide to be the gold standard in cellular banking. Progenics is also accredited by AABB (the Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies). These accreditations are recognized internationally; therefore, even if the sample is required for treatment purposes outside of Canada, the sample processed at Progenics can be accepted worldwide.

Clinical Experience

Progenics has provided 3 successful cord blood transplants. One cord blood sample was released for an autologous transplant in 2007 to treat a baby with neuroblastoma. Sibling cord blood samples were released for transplants of the condition Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis in 2014, and Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in both 2017 and 2018. Most recently, in 2021, an autologous sample was used as part of a clinical trial (undisclosed for privacy purposes). All of the children treated with cord blood units banked with Progenics have been healthy since the cord blood transplantation.

Community Service

Progenics has developed lasting relationships with local area hospitals including North York General and SickKids Hospital. Their commitment to the health and safety of the Canadian community is shown in their Directed Donation program which provides complimentary banking for clients who have a family member in medical need of a stem cell transplant. In support of SickKids Foundation, Progenics established a fundraiser, "Support the Right for a Child to Fight". They raised over $130,000 for the SickKids Hospital Foundation. During the telethon fundraising day in 2018, Progenics had the honour of being recognized in the Donor Spotlight. 

Progenics often works with local educators to provide student co-op placements within the processing laboratory, ensuring that the next generation of laboratory professionals are introduced to the field of cord blood banking.   

Prices

Progenics offers competitive pricing with an emphasis on the highest quality service available in Canada. Interest-free and flexible installment payment plans are available.

Cord Blood Banking:

Cord Blood & Cord Tissue Banking:

* - tax not included

Progenics has a variety of programs and offers exclusive deals from their partners:

• Returning Client Discount
• Client Referral Program
• First Responders Program
• Venngo WorkPerks
• Precious Ones Photography
• A Date with Baby (3D Ultrasound)
• Baby Steps Childbirth Education
• Healing Mama Co.
• and more!