Bio Save - Serbia

About

Business Experience

FamiCord Group (operating under the name FamiCord AG since 2025, following the merger of PBKM and Vita 34 in 2021) is the European market leader and the third-largest stem cell bank worldwide. The Group has secured over 1.5 million biological material samples (mostly cord blood, cord tissue, placental blood, placenta). FamiCord has a robust operational infrastructure: 13 processing and storage laboratories, 2 storage only laboratories, and 3 cell & gene GMP centers for CDMO activity, controlling approximately 55-60% of the European cord blood banking market.

Supplying stem cells for medical use  remains at the core of the Group's focus. FamiCord actively supports the use of stem cells in treatments, with a history of over 8,500 patients treated with 16,500 stem cell preparations including 278 cord blood applications (as of June 2026). The Group has been involved in several clinical trials in the area of: cardiology, neurology, dermatology, orthopedics and others in the role of sole sponsor, co-sponsor or supplier of cell-based ATMP. FamiCord also actively participates in cerebral palsy treatment programs for children [Expanded Access Program conducted in Lublin, Poland].

The CDMO (Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization) activity, primarily under the Bramble Bio brand, remains an advanced technological pillar. Through 3 specialized CDMO centers located in Germany, Poland and Portugal, the Group provides comprehensive manufacturing services for Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs) in compliance with cGMP standards, strengthening its position as a trusted contract manufacturer for the biotechnology industry.

Regarding the development of CAR-T cell therapies (oncology), the Group has revised its strategy. FamiCordTx, initially developed as an internal venture, is now an independent entity with which FamiCord Group is affiliated (holding an approximately 20% stake). This allows the Group to focus its resources on its core business and commercial B2B services.

The scale of medical operations is built on solid financial foundations. In 2025, FamiCord Group generated sales revenues of EUR 88.17 million (a 7.3% year-over-year increase) with significant proportion of recurrent revenue. The Group achieved an EBITDA of EUR 10.6 million (a 12.3% y/y increase). FamiCord AG is listed at Deutsche Boerse in Franfurt and is backed mostly by financial shareholders (AOC – private equity, SVF – investment fund, Nationale Netherlanden – pension fund and others). This guarantees absolute stability and security for the long-term storage of materials entrusted by patients.

Collection Kit

The collection kit includes collection instructions for the birth center staff, labels ensuring full traceability of the collected material, and a collection report completed by the healthcare professional responsible for the collection procedure. The kits are equipped with JMS collection bags.

All components of each collection kit are sterile inside & outside for C-Section use as well.

PBKM offers parents the following service options:

• Red – a basic package covering the organization and coordination of umbilical cord blood collection, as well as the processing and storage of the collected biological material;
• Blue – an extended package covering the organization and coordination of umbilical cord blood and umbilical cord tissue collection, as well as the processing and storage of the collected biological material;
• Platinum – a comprehensive package covering the organization and coordination of umbilical cord blood, umbilical cord tissue, and placental tissue collection, as well as the processing and storage of the collected biological material.

Transportation Container

The shipping container is IATA certified, as it was developed on the basis of infectious substances shipping guidelines from International Air Transport Association (IATA) as well as in accordance with any applicable European standards. The container has gel packs and a thermal insulated polystyrene box and is validated to maintain room temperature for 72 hours. The container includes a temperature logger.

Shipping Info

PBKM shall ensure transportation for the kit from the place of acquisition to the PBKM laboratory, after receiving telephone information from the parents. The laboratory works 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, assuring the samples are picked up and processed even during the weekends and the public holidays. Regulations require that the cord blood must be delivered to the lab and processed and frozen within 72 hours from the collection time. The contract price includes shipping.

Processing Method

PBKM`s laboratory technicians perform manual processing of cord blood stem cells using sedimentation and centrifugation. This processing method allows a higher stem cell recovery than that obtained with automated systems.

Several quality control tests are performed during processing, including complete blood count (CBC), nRBC, WBC recovery, total nucleated cell count (TNC), CD34+ cell viability and concentration, microbiological analysis, and ABO blood group testing. Maternal blood tests for infectious diseases are also reported.

Umbilical cord and placental tissue processing is performed manually under a laminar flow cabinet located in a cleanroom with air cleanliness class B, in order to minimize the risk of contamination. It is also possible for clients to request isolation and banking of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSC) from the cord tissue. PBKM will cultivate up to 10 million cells divided for storage into five separate cryo-tubes.

Umbilical cord processing involves cleaning the cord and cutting it into five 1 cm fragments. A cryoprotective solution is then added, and the tissue is frozen in a controlled manner and subsequently stored in the vapor phase of cryogenic nitrogen, as in the case of cord blood.

Placental tissue processing involves cleaning the placenta and isolating chorionic villi from inside the organ. The chorionic villi are placed into five tubes, with 1 ml of villi in each tube. The freezing and storage process is carried out in the same way as for umbilical cord tissue.

Components Stored

The main components of umbilical cord blood are separated during processing: plasma, red blood cells, and white blood cells. The “buffy coat“ holding white cells and stem cells is separated for storage. Also four testing segments are stored. Parents are provided with a certificate describing test results (cell counts, viability, mother‘s serological tests for infectious agents). On the day of childbirth, a peripheral blood sample shall also be collected apart from the biological material from the child’s mother in the amount of approximately 2x7,5 ml. The blood collected from the child’s mother is attached to the kit.

Storage Method

The cryobag containing stem cells is placed in a metal cassette and then enters a computerized temperature-reducing system. After temperature reaches -120°C, the sample is moved to a storage tank where vapors of cryogenic nitrogen maintain the temperature at -196°C. First the sample stays in temporary storage in quarantine freezer in case any maternal blood tests are doubtful for infectious agents, then it is moved to a long term freezer in the vapor phase of cryogenic nitrogen.

Licensing & Accreditation

PBKM operates under a license issued by the Polish Ministry of Health. Several FamiCord Group laboratories, including PBKM, are accredited by the Association for the Advancement of Blood and Biotherapies (AABB), one of the most recognized quality standards in cellular therapy and transplantation. In addition, PBKM operates in accordance with ISO-certified quality management systems, ensuring the highest standards of quality and safety.

Clinical Experience

• FamiCord Group has provided more than 8,500 clinical stem cell therapies worldwide, including both standard hematopoietic stem cell transplantations and experimental/regenerative medicine therapies.
• Famicord Group has released 278 cord blood units for therapy as of June 2026.
• The Group has extensive experience in releasing autologous cord blood units for children diagnosed with neurological disorders, particularly autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and cerebral palsy (CP), under dedicated therapeutic access programs.
• Selected laboratories within the FamiCord network also participate in public cord blood banking programs and collect cord blood donations intended for unrelated donor transplantations.
• FamiCord Group actively participates in clinical trials, observational studies, and compassionate use programs involving cord blood and mesenchymal stem cell therapies in neurological, hematological, immunological, and regenerative medicine indications. More information: https://famicord.com/science-and-clinical-trials/
• Through its GMP-certified manufacturing facilities in Poland and Portugal, FamiCord develops and manufactures advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs) based on cord blood, perinatal tissues, and mesenchymal stem cells. The Group is involved in translational medicine projects focused on developing innovative regenerative therapies and cell-based medicinal products.
• FamiCord collaborates with leading hospitals, transplantation centers, and regenerative medicine clinics across Europe and internationally, supporting innovative therapeutic programs using cord blood and perinatal stem cells.

Guarantees

In case of cord blood transplantation, the “Transplant assistance” or “Transplant assistance Plus” insurance package (purchased during the signing of the storage contract) guarantees free of cost preparation and transportation of cord stem cells to a clinic in any part of the world. Detailed testing of the cell sample and HLA matching tests are included.

Community Service

PBKM Famicord provides a Directed Donation Program. Cord blood banking is provided FREE of charge to families where an immediate relative has a diagnosis for which transplantation is standard therapy.

Prices

Contact the FamiCord partner in your country to learn the options they offer. 

Additional Services

• Storage of umbilical cord tissue (also known as Wharton's jelly).
• Isolation and cultivation of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) from umbilical cord tissue.
• Storage of placenta tissue.
• Production of Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMP) for clinical trials.
• Contract manufacturing (CDMO) of cell therapy such as CAR-T for client organizations.