Family Bank: Medcells

About

MedCells International FZ LLC is the official distributor of Cells4Life in the UAE and other parts of the Middle East, one of the largest stem cell banks based in the UK. Established in late 2005, MedCells was founded to enhance access to cutting-edge stem cell preservation services in the UAE. In compliance with UAE government regulations, our cord blood lab in Dubai presents an exclusive opportunity for parents to store their newborn’s cord blood locally, ensuring seamless adherence to regulatory standards in stem cell processing and storage.

Labs and Locations

MedCells International FZ LLC, located in Dubai Healthcare City, is the first UK Cord Blood Bank licensed by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA). We specialize in the collection, processing, and storage of umbilical cord blood, cord tissue, placental cells, and amnion in Dubai.

Every piece of equipment in our laboratory is electronically monitored and has an integrated backup system. Our 2-tonne nitrogen storage tank is the largest to have been imported into the UAE. We also store the cord blood stem cells in multiple subdivisions.

Business Experience

Our regional headquarters is in Dubai Healthcare City and licensed by the Dubai Healthcare City Authority (DHCA). We have more than 19 years of experience in providing stem cell banking services in the Middle East.

Collection Kit

Our Cord Blood Collection Kit is built to ensure that the sample is safe during its transport to our laboratory. It's crucial that the sample arrives quickly for processing and is kept at a temperature between 2 and 25°C during transit. To help with this, we include a monitoring probe in the kit to track the temperature of the sample as it makes its way back to our lab.

Contents:

• Cord blood collection bags
• Gauze swabs
• Chlorhexidine swabs
• Tube clamp
• Cord blood packaging (To IATA specification)
• Ancillary items for procurement
• Maternal blood sample kit
• Temperature monitoring probe

+Cord and Placenta collection items where specified

Our collection kit and all its items have their own barcode and ID number. These are unique to each customer and make sure that the whole process of collecting, processing, and storing the cord blood is completely traceable, from start to finish.

Shipping Info

After birth, once the cord blood (+birth tissues if applicable) have been collected, one of our trained staff members will pick up the kit and transport it safely to our lab in Dubai. We use a temperature-controlled vehicle to keep the samples in good condition during the trip. Our sample pickup service is available 24/7, every day of the week, and samples are promptly processed when they arrive at our lab. Our trained lab staff conduct thorough testing on the cord blood samples, and we provide a detailed testing certificate as proof of storage.

Processing Method

CellsPlus – Unique & Patented Service

Our premium cord blood service is powered by TotiCyte – a ground-breaking cord blood separation technology which is exclusive and patented by Cells4Life. A study conducted by Cells4Life found that their TotiCyte processing method delivers 3 times more viable stem cells at the point of treatment than other processing methods and it removes 99% of the red blood cells from the cord blood.

Components Stored

CORD BLOOD

We are the only company in the Middle East to offer 3 different processing technologies for cord blood:

1. Volume-Reduced – Extracts the Hematopoietic Stem Cells (HSCs) from the cord blood using similar technology to what other services providers in the UAE offer.
2. Whole Cord Blood – Stores all cell types found in the cord blood (HSCs, MSCs, VSELs, and more) including hormones and growth factors.
3. CellsPlus – Powered by Cells4Life’s TotiCyte patented processing technology that in their study delivers 3 times more stem cells at the point of treatment.

CORD TISSUE

We store the umbilical cord tissue which is rich in Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells (MSCs), and we also provide the option to store the Cord Vessel and Wharton’s Jelly which contains valuable stem cells not found within the cord blood including:

• Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVECs)
• Epithelial Cord Lining Stem Cells (CLSCs)
• Human Umbilical Cord Perivascular Cells (HUCPVCs)

MATERNAL PLACENTA

We store the cells from the maternal side of the placenta, also known as maternal decidua. The placenta contains MSC which are unique and can be used in cellular therapies for the baby or mother.

AMNION

We store the amnion which is the innermost layer of the placenta – also known as the amniotic membrane.

• Since 1910, amnion has been used for skin grafts to cover wounds. 
• Amnion has been used since the 1990s to reduce pain and inflammation in various eye conditions, especially wounds of the cornea.

CHORIONIC VILLI

We store the chorionic villi from the fetal side of the placenta which are rich in regenerative cells that are currently being used in clinical trials for conditions such as Ischaemic stroke, Osteoarthritis, Crohn’s disease, diabetes, heart disease and more.

Storage Method

Once the samples are received and have passed all testing, specialized equipment and trained staff ensure their safety. The samples are stored in special tanks that maintain a temperature of -180 degrees Celsius using cryogenic nitrogen in the vapour phase. For optimal storage and potential future use, both cord blood and tissue samples are further divided into multiple subdivisions.

To keep valuable stem cells safe, all equipment and storage systems are continuously monitored and maintained in full working order. The aim is to ensure that the samples remain secure and ready for use whenever necessary.

Licensing & Accreditation

In compliance with UAE government regulations, our cord blood lab in Dubai is licensed by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), ensuring compliance with the highest standards in healthcare and biotechnology.

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.)

Cells4Life has more than 150,000 cord blood samples in storage and has collected samples in 50+ countries worldwide.

• In 2015 & 2016, Medcells released cord blood samples collected from the UAE for the treatment of acquired brain injury
• In 2014, Cells4Life was the first UK cord blood bank to provide cord tissue for treatment of Epidermolysis Bullosa.
• In 2021, Cells4Life has released two CellsPlus cord blood samples processed with TotiCyte – both for Cerebral Palsy treatment.
• In 2022, Cells4Life released another CellsPlus cord blood sample processed with TotiCyte for treatment of Beta-Thalassemia Major.
• In 2023, we released more cord blood samples for treatment of Autism and Cerebral Palsy.

Insurance

Our commitment includes covering direct losses that we could have reasonably expected when the agreement was made. This ensures that there is support in place to protect the valuable samples.

Prices

We provide discounts for early sign-ups, group enrollments, returning customers, and families with multiple births. Additionally, flexible payment plan options are available. For more details about our pricing, click here to contact us.