Lifeline - Romania

About

Lifeline, established since 2002, is strategically located in Cyprus, with operations in Europe, the Middle East and the Gulf Region. Lifeline performs cord blood and cord tissue processing, clinical testing and cryopreservation, using state-of-the-art approved automated methods. Lifeline is committed to offering quality cellular therapy services of the highest professional standards, with respect to the parents that have trusted the bank with their children's stem cells.

Business Experience

• 1994 - Incorporation of Lifeline Biotech UK
• 2002 - Incorporation and operations in Cyprus
• 2008 - ISO15189 Accreditation     
• 2009 - Licensing according to EU Regulations
• 2010 - Launch of LifeCord service
• 2011 - LifeCord received the Cyprus Innovation Award
• 2012 - AABB Inspection and Accreditation 
• 2014 - Lifeline awarded at European Business Awards
• 2014 - LifeCord received an International Patent
• 2015 - Introduction of LifeKit device
• 2015 - LifeKit awarded at Global Forum Excellence Awards
• 2019 – LifeKit received a European Patent
• 2019 - Launch of eLife Platform
• 2019 - Relocation in a brand new, State-of-the-Art Facility
• 2020 - LifeKit received a U.S. Patent
• 2023 - Introduction of cMax innovation
• 2024 - Introduction of iMax innovation
• 2024 - AABB Inspection and Accreditation Renewal
• 2024 – ISO 9001 Certification
• 2026 - Introduction of CryoMax innovation

Collection Kit

Collection of the Cord Blood and Tissue is performed using Lifeline’s award-winning device, the LifeKit. The LifeKit is an innovative Collection and Transportation device, designed to maintain stem cells at the optimal temperatures, even under extreme environmental conditions. The LifeKit has set a global standard with its exceptional success, earning patents in the EU, USA, and Latin America. Parents who enroll with Lifeline receive the LifeKit, which they hand over to their medical team on the day of delivery, for the safe collection and transportation of their baby’s biological samples.  

Transportation Container

LifeKit Key Features

• Insulated packaging to maintain samples at optimal temperatures until arrival at the laboratory
• Medical-grade stainless steel internal package for maximum cell safety
• Continuous monitoring and recording of temperature during transportation

Shipping Info

Lifeline collects samples 7 days a week, 365 days a year, through specialized local and international couriers. The company’s dedicated medical courier is available on weekends and holidays. Lifeline ensures the secure global transport of cellular therapy products whenever clients need them for medical applications.

Processing Method

Cord Blood

When processing cord blood, the benchmark of quality is the number of viable stem cells isolated. The higher the number of stem cells, the greater the therapeutic potential of the final product.

Lifeline has developed the iMax technology, a pioneering method for the isolation of stem cells from cord blood. This technology achieves the highest isolation rate, surpassing all the other methods that are documented in scientific literature. The iMax technology has been submitted for an international patent.      

Cord Tissue

LifeCord is an innovative methodology developed by Lifeline that separates umbilical cord tissue into individual cells, unlike other methods that simply cut the tissue into segments. The smaller the biological unit, the more effective the cryopreservation process becomes. Cells, as the smallest units of tissue, are prepared for cryopreservation much more efficiently, significantly reducing the risk of cell death. As a result, LifeCord achieves a considerably higher number of viable cells during cryopreservation, ensuring superior quality products for medical use.

With the LifeCord methodology, the cord tissue is dissociated into individual cells, allowing the two cell types found in cord tissue Mesenchymal Stromal Cells and Endothelial Progenitor Cells to be stored separately. Since the different cell types are stored independently, if the need arises to use one of the two cell types for a medical application, only that specific unit will be removed from cryo-storage, while the other will remain cryopreserved for future medical use.

Another unique benefit of the LifeCord methodology - parents receive a storage certificate indicating the exact number of viable cells preserved from cord tissue, which is possible only when the tissue is dissociated to individual cells.

In addition to the LifeCord service, Lifeline provides parents with the opportunity to double the number of units stored with LifeCord-Plus. By choosing the LifeCord-Plus service, parents can store one additional unit of mesenchymal stromal cells and one additional unit of endothelial progenitor cells, increasing the future options for the family, provided that the quantity of cord tissue collected by the parents’ medical team is adequate.

Components Stored

Once the cellular therapy products are successfully stored, Lifeline provides banking certificates for every unit: cord blood, cord tissue, and cord tissue+ (LifeCord-Plus). The banking certificates include all necessary information in detail, such as the volume stored, viable cell count and clinical test results.

Storage Method

Lifeline uses EVA freezing bags designed specifically for human stem cell preservation. These bags are built to withstand extremely low temperatures while maintaining the structural integrity and viability of the cells throughout the freezing, storage, and thawing process. Each bag includes two compartments, a bleed line with small testing segments, and a cryovial for any future analysis that may be needed. To enhance protection, the primary freezing bag is enclosed within an overwrap bag, which is vacuum‑sealed to remove air and minimize contamination risks.  Once sealed, the unit is placed inside a durable metallic canister labelled with a unique client-specific identification number, ensuring a highly organized and traceable storage system.

For long‑term preservation, Lifeline utilizes third‑generation cryogenic freezers that operate in liquid nitrogen vapor. Storing units in vapor rather than directly in liquid nitrogen reduces contamination risks and makes accessing samples safer and easier. There’s no splash‑back, no direct contact with liquid nitrogen, and the temperature remains consistently stable at -196°C.

Lifeline’s cryostorage area is designed specifically for stem cell banking. The space is equipped with alarm systems, continuous oxygen‑level monitoring, and environmental controls that record temperature every second. Backup systems are always in place to ensure uninterrupted storage conditions, even in the event of unexpected equipment or power issues.

Licensing & Accreditation

• Lifeline is a fully licenced Cell and Tissue Establishment, in accordance with the European Regulations.
• AABB Accredited – Lifeline is one of the first European banks to achieve and maintain this accreditation
• ISO 9001:2015 Certification
• Clinical Testing in an ISO 15189 Accredited Laboratory; guaranteeing high quality and accuracy in laboratory results

Patent Protection & Licensing:

• LifeCord International Patent, 2014
• LifeKit International Patent, 2020
• cMax International Patent pending, 2026
• iMax International Patent pending, 2026
• CryoMax International Patent pending, 2026

Guarantees

Lifeline holds Professional Indemnity Insurance from a leading insurance provider, which conducts an annual evaluation of the company. The insurance coverage for year 2026 amounts to €1,000,000 and may be adjusted following the next review.

Community Service

• Lifeline offers cord blood banking free of charge to families who have a member suffering from a life-threatening disease treatable by stem cell transplantation.
• Social Care Policy: This Lifeline policy grants financial assistance up to €25,000 to the family for approved autologous use of the graft.

Prices

Lifeline’s pricing structure consists of two fee components:

• Registration and LifeKit fees
• Service Fees

Parents are charged a service fee only if at least one cellular therapy product is successfully stored. Otherwise, only the registration fee applies.
Lifeline offers the option of monthly payment plans for up to 36 months and storage of cellular therapy products for up to 30 years, with the option to renew the contract upon expiration.