GeneCell

GeneCell International is a privately owned laboratory specialized in collecting, processing and cryogenically storing stem cells derived from umbilical cord blood, cord tissue, adipose (fat) tissue, and other cells and tissues that can later be used to treat a variety of diseases. GeneCell International has deep roots internationally and more than a decade of experience in helping patients make informed decisions that can lead to potentially life-saving possibilities

Business Experience

GeneCell International was sister company of a group of laboratories headquartered in Venezuela: Genetics and Cord Blood Services, Celulas Madre C.A., and Laboratorio Venezolano de Celulas Madre, C.A (LVCM) in Venezuela. Collectively these laboratories have processed and stored over 30 thousand cord blood units. The United States laboratory of GeneCell International is in Florida.

Collection Kit

GeneCell International relies on gravity drip into a blood bag for the collection procedure. GeneCell utilizes the 250 mL Baxter/Fenwal blood bag that already contains 35 mL of the anti-coagulant CPD. A sterile extension is provided for use during a C-section. GeneCell has a proprietary collection kit that contains all components that the procurement physician will need. The components to collect the required maternal blood include vacutainer blood collection tubes, needles and holders. Instructions are provided for collection and shipping of both cord blood and cord tissue.

Transportation container

GeneCell International’s kits are insulated for the protection of the cord blood and all other tissues during the shipping process. The kits have been validated under test conditions and are guaranteed to maintain room temperature until the kit reaches its destination within a period of 72 hours.

Shipping Info

Shipping arrangements are simple. The cord blood collection kit includes pre-filled and addressed documents, including the air bill. Clients generally call our facility to inform us of the birth, and then call the shipper. We are staffed to provide services during weekends and holidays as long as the shipping company delivers during these days.

Shipping within a 50 mile radius of our facility is FREE.
Within the Miami-Dade/Broward area we have FREE courier services to pick up the cord blood from the hospital.
For shipments within the United States, we use FedEx.
For international shipments, we use FedEx, DHL and UPS.

Processing Method

GeneCell International manually processes cord blood units via a volume reduction method (in a closed system) that is essentially the same as the method pioneered by Dr. Pablo Rubinstein at the NY Blood Center. GeneCell performs numerous tests on the sample, including: Total Nucleated Cell Count, Viability, CD34+, Sterility, and Infectious Diseases.

Components Stored

GeneCell stores the "buffy coat" component of the blood that contains white blood cells, stem cells, a reduced volume of plasma and a reduced volume of red blood cells. They are stored in a 25 mL Pall blood bag.

After storage and testing, parents are provided a Lab Report that contains the following information:

Unique ID
Date of processing
Pre-processing volume and TNC
Post Processing Total Nucleated Cell Count
Cell Viability
CD34+ Count

Storage Method

All GeneCell cord blood units are stored in the Pall freezing bag. This is a two chamber bag (20ml and 5ml compartments) which also contains 2 integrally attached segments that can be utilized for HLA testing prior to release of the umbilical cord blood unit. Each Pall bag is encased in a vacuum-sealed Teflon overwrap for additional protection as a barrier to the outside environment. All samples are stored in the liquid phase of cryogenic nitrogen to ensure there are no thermal transitions upon opening and closing of the cryogenic tank, which may be a potential risk for those cord blood units stored only in the vapor phase. Too many thermal transitions may result in a lower viability cord blood cell therapy product.

Licensing & Accreditation

Registered with the FDA
Licensed by the Florida Department of Health

Prices

Cord Blood:
Cord blood collection, testing, processing
& 1st Annual storage:                                      $1795
Check our website for the latest discount:   -$$$$
Price as of September 2021:                          $ 599
*Prices includes enrollment, collection kit ($300.00 non-refundable), cord blood processing, cord blood testing, maternal blood testing and first year of storage.
*Payment plans available upon request