Smart Cells Middle East

Smart Cells Middle East, a subsidiary of Smart Cells International and a member of the esteemed FamiCord Group, has been operating in the UAE since 2003 as the regional office for the Middle East. Building on years of experience and expertise, we are delighted to announce our state-of-the-art stem cell laboratory facility for Smart Cells Middle East was opened in Dubai Healthcare City in February 2024. Our laboratory facility adheres to high standards of quality and safety, with certifications including Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and licenses from the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC). This ensures that our operations meet the stringent regulatory requirements and provide families with the utmost confidence in the preservation of their stem cells.

As part of the FamiCord network, Smart Cells Middle East benefits from the collective expertise and resources of the group. FamiCord is recognized as the #1 stem cell bank in Europe and is publicly listed in Frankfurt, underscoring our commitment to transparency and accountability. With a proven track record of successful transplants and a reputation for excellence, FamiCord sets the benchmark for stem cell banking globally.

Labs and Locations

Stem cells collected in the Middle East are processed and stored at our state-of-the-art laboratory located in the heart of Dubai Healthcare City.
Address: Smart Cells International ME FZ LLC Bldg 40, Office G01 Dubai Health Care City, UAE

Business Experience

With a rich history dating back to 2003, Smart Cells Middle East has established itself as a leading stem cell bank in the region. Our expertise extends to storing stem cells from diverse sources including umbilical cord blood, umbilical cord tissue, placenta, and amnion tissue. We have developed state-of-the-art methods in processing, storage, quality control, and release of stem cells, ensuring the highest standards of service for our clients.

Collection Kit

The Smart Cells Middle East collection kit complies with international shipping guidelines from organizations such as the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and meets all applicable European standards. The kit components include:

Cord blood collection bag, certified for containing anticoagulant solution CPD and equipped with two sterile disposable needles and needle stick protection.
Sterile disinfection kit including disinfectant swabs, gloves, and surgical mask.
Temperature Datalogger for continuous temperature monitoring during transportation.
Nanocool system: These are specially designed to help protect the sample from damage caused by high/low temperatures, ensuring the maintenance of a safe temperature until arrival at our processing and storage facilities.
Containers and solutions for cord tissue and placenta collection and transportation.
EDTA tubes for maternal blood collection.
Documents, labels, and collection procedures for parents and medical professionals performing the collection procedure.

Transportation container

Smart Cells ME utilizes the NanoCool® temperature-controlled packaging system for sample transportation. This system ensures that the temperature remains within the optimum range, safeguarding sample integrity.

Shipping Info

After cord blood collection, parents contact Smart Cells Middle East to arrange transportation. Our dedicated courier service ensures prompt pickup and delivery of samples. Both the courier and our laboratory operate seven days a week, facilitating sample pickup and processing even on weekends and public holidays, all included in the base service fee. In case a stored sample is needed for a transplant, we have a validated dry-shipper capable of safely transporting samples to any transplant centre worldwide.

Processing Method

Upon receiving the kit, Smart Cells Middle East laboratory team perform a volume reduction processing method on cord blood by sedimentation and centrifugation to yield a buffy coat fraction which is highly rich in white blood cells and stem cells. This method allows for higher stem cell recovery compared to other systems, with the advantage of complete sterility ensured through a closed system.

Smart Cells Middle East conducts detailed testing on all cord blood samples pre and post processing. This includes the total nucleated cell count pre and post processing using a haematology analyser device, flow cytometric analysis for CD34+ cell count and viability and microbiological sterility testing. Additionally, maternal blood tests for infectious diseases are also reported as part of our comprehensive quality control measures. All these tests are required for the release of any cord blood sample to a transplant centre.

Components Stored

Cord Blood Storage:

Smart Cells Middle East stores the whole buffy coat, the component of blood that contains white cells and stem cells, as well as smaller samples of whole blood taken before processing.

Cord Tissue Storage:

Cord tissue serves as a rich source of Mesenchymal Stromal/Stem Cells (MSC), crucial for tissue repair or replacement. Smart Cells Middle East offers the storage of portions of the umbilical cord itself, complementing cord blood storage by preserving more diverse cell types, including MSC.

Amnion Storage:

The amniotic membrane of the placenta possesses potent healing properties and is already utilized in the treatment of burns and wounds. Smart Cells Middle East enables parents-to-be to selectively bank this tissue from the placenta, providing access to its therapeutic potential.

Placental Cells Storage:

In addition to the amnion, Smart Cells ME offers the option to bank the chorionic villi cells from the placenta. Storing these cells opens up more opportunities for regenerative therapies in the future.

Storage Method

Each sample unit is identified with a unique label following international standards, with cryopreservation performed in a computer-programmed freezer ensuring a gradual temperature reduction. Samples are stored in cryogenic nitrogen tanks at -196°C, with temperature monitoring and control systems ensuring sample stability over time.

Licensing & Accreditation

Smart Cells Middle East is licensed and regularly inspected by Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and Dubai Healthcare City Authority (DHCA) and approved by the National Stem Cells Committee in the UAE. Our laboratory maintains strict adherence to national and international quality guidelines, with comprehensive quality control measures ensuring full traceability of processed samples.

Clinical Experience

** Therapy numbers in the UAE and Gulf countries include both cord blood and birth tissues. (Elsewhere in the world these numbers are cord blood only.)

The Famicord Group has performed over 200 therapies using cord blood alone. When all forms of cell therapy are counted, they have treated over 7000 patients in multiple countries. The full list of life-saving transplants is on-line.