MacoPress SMART: A Reliable Validated Solution for Cord Blood Processing

THIS IS A SPONSORED POST FROM MACOPHARMA

Cord blood banking has become a cornerstone of regenerative medicine, offering families and patients a precious source of stem cells for future therapies. Behind every stored unit of cord blood is a complex laboratory process designed to isolate and preserve the most clinically valuable cells. In this context, the availability of validated, efficient, and cost-effective processing technologies is essential, not only for maintaining quality but also for ensuring long-term sustainability of public and family banks. One such solution that has gained recognition worldwide is the MacoPress SMART, a semi-automated device developed by Macopharma for cord blood volume reduction^1-6.

Cord blood laboratories face growing demand. With increased attention to delayed cord clamping, banks are receiving smaller volume collections, which are more challenging to process effectively. At the same time, the industry is navigating supply chain disruptions, including global shortages of hetastarch, a key chemical used in many manual processing methods. These pressures highlight the importance of having a semi-automated system that is versatile enough to handle a wide range of collection volumes, while delivering consistent results without relying on scarce consumables.

The MacoPress SMART answers that call.

The MacoPress SMART is a semi-automated blood component separator with customizable programming for the processing of cord blood. It performs volume reduction by separating red blood cells and plasma (post centrifugation), preserving the target cell population (hematopoietic progenitor cells) with high viability and recovery.

Table 1. International Published Validation of the MacoPress SMART

Legend: TNC = Total Nucleated Cells. CD34+ = Hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell marker. FACT = Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy.  NetCord = International network promoting high-quality standards in cord blood banking.

Table 1 summarizes the performance of the MacoPress SMART device in volume reduction of cord blood units validated in Australia, Canada, and Russia. TNC Recovery (%) indicates the proportion of total nucleated cells retained after processing. CD34+ Viability (%) represents the percentage of viable stem cells post-processing. Expected recovery and viability values are based on minimum quality standards established by FACT and NetCord for accredited public cord blood banks.

Unlike many automated systems that require proprietary single-use kits, the MacoPress SMART uses standard blood bag configurations, making it a cost-effective and sustainable choice for both public and family cord blood banks.

Manual processing methods, while still common, are labor-intensive and susceptible to operator variability. Full automation, although efficient, often comes at a high cost and may not be adaptable to small-volume collections.

Semi-automated technologies, like the MacoPress SMART, offer a critical balance:

• Improved standardization over manual methods
• Lower operational cost compared to fully automated platforms
• Flexibility to accurately process small and large volumes
• Reduced dependency on chemical reagents that may face shortages
• Fast turnaround time, which is crucial in clinical-grade processing

The MacoPress SMART has been independently validated in multiple countries for its effectiveness in cord blood volume reduction. Results from studies conducted in Australia, Canada, and Russia confirm excellent total nucleated cell recovery and CD34+ cell viability, aligning with international transplant standards.

As cord blood banks continue to evolve and adapt, having access to validated, flexible, and cost-efficient processing systems is more important than ever. The MacoPress SMART meets these needs by delivering high-quality results, accommodating varying collection volumes, and reducing reliance on vulnerable supply chains. Its adoption helps ensure families and patients can count on the long-term viability and effectiveness of their cord blood units, an investment in future health that begins with smart technology today.

References

1. Johnson P, et al. Evaluation of the MacoPress SMART Blood Component Separator for Volume Reduction of Cord Blood Units in a Multicenter Validation Study. Stem Cells Transl. Med. (2018)
2. Maheux A, et al. Validation of the MacoPress SMART for Volume Reduction of Cord Blood Units at Héma-Québec’s Cord Blood Bank. Stem Cells Transl. Med. (2019)
3. Ivolgin DA, Smolyaninov AB. Isolation of Nucleated Cells Fractions from Umbilical Cord Blood - Choice of Method. Clinical Researches. (2014)
4. Pope B, et al. Predicting overall viability of cord blood harvests: Effect of maternal iron status on the number of CD34+ stem cells. Transfusion. (2011)
5. Salge-Bartels U, et al. Evaluation of Quality Parameters for Cord Blood Donations. Transfusion Med. Hemother. (2009)
6. Annaratone L, et al. Basic principles of biobanking: from biological samples to precision medicine for patients. Virchows Arch. (2021)
7. Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT) and NetCord. FACT–NetCord International Standards for Cord Blood Collection, Banking, and Release for Administration. 8th ed. Standards. Omaha, NE: FACT. (2023)