Family Bank: AlphaCord

About

AlphaCord is part of the CSG.BIO Group, one of the largest stem cell providers in the world with over 750,000 stored samples listed in their database. AlphaCord was founded in 2002 by parents determined to make newborn stem cell banking more affordable for everyday families. The company offers a high-quality, cost-effective alternative for cord blood, cord tissue, and placenta tissue banking and cryopreservation services. AlphaCord’s mission is built on the principle that affordability and quality can go hand-in-hand, which is why many clients regard it as one of the most recommended and referred stem cell banks. AlphaCord offers complimentary information sessions with their Clinical Educators to respond to parent inquiries and help parents make informed decisions about newborn stem cell storage.

Labs and Locations

AlphaCord’s laboratory services are provided by CryoPoint Biorepository, located in Brownsburg, Indiana—a recognized geographic safe zone. The lab, operating under the name BHC LLC, is registered with the FDA (HCT/P establishment 3009651519) for the storage of human cells and tissue, including umbilical cord blood, cord tissue, and placenta tissue. Cryopoint Biorepository holds accreditation from AABB as well as state licenses from California, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, and New York.

Business Experience

AlphaCord’s stem cell services were launched in 2002. Committed to best practices, AlphaCord structures its policies and procedures to uphold the highest scientific standards in the industry, while maintaining independence from pharmaceutical industry influences and managing costs to keep prices accessible for families. 

Collection Kit

AlphaCord’s 3-in-1 proprietary collection kit provides the necessary materials for the collection of cord blood, cord tissue, and placental tissue. It is both temperature-protected and temperature-monitored, and is electronically tracked during the transportation to ensure the integrity of the samples as well as to safely and easily collect the maximum amount of stem cells following birth. The cord blood collection bag provided in the kit contains CPD, an FDA-approved anticoagulant which is heparin-free, and is packed in individual aluminum sterile packaging in order to be used for both C-Sections as well as normal births. Each bag has two needles for increased safety and quality control.

AlphaCord uses the FDA-approved industry-standard two-chamber storage bag, capable of holding 25ml of cord blood stem cells (5ml in one chamber and 20ml in the other). A 5-chamber storage bag option is also available.

Transportation container

AlphaCord’s collection kit includes thermal foam insulation and gel packs that control temperature during transportation to the laboratory. The collection kits have been designed and validated to shield the samples from extreme temperatures. Samples remain at room temperature and are transported directly to the designated laboratory for processing. The kits are temperature-protected and temperature-monitored, and are electronically tracked during the transportation to ensure the integrity of the samples.

Shipping Info

Parents receive a comprehensive collection kit that includes prepaid shipping labels and detailed instructions for shipping, to be completed after the baby is born and the sample has been collected. AlphaCord’s all-inclusive package options feature next-day shipping, including Saturday delivery, ensuring timely transport of samples. For added convenience, AlphaCord also offers an upgrade to a specialized medical courier service for transport on Sundays and holidays. 

The company’s robust logistics network guarantees that samples are securely collected, processed, and stored, providing families with peace of mind that their newborn’s stem cells are in expert hands, regardless of their location within the U.S.

Processing Method

AlphaCord processes cord blood with the modified Rubinstein method, a manual processing technique that yields healthier stem cells by optimizing blood separation based on sample volume. This approach minimizes damage compared to automated methods, resulting in reduced red blood cell contamination and toxicity, while ensuring the safety and viability of newborn stem cells. Comprehensive tests are conducted on each baby’s cord blood to verify viability, sterility, and potency.

AlphaCord preserves the Wharton’s Jelly in cord tissue in whole segments. Utilizing this method, families gain access to various cell types, including mesenchymal, endothelial, epithelial, neuronal, hematopoietic, and perivascular cells.

Upon arrival at the laboratory, each baby’s samples are processed by experienced lab technicians. Families receive an email notification within 72 business hours confirming that their samples have been processed, followed by a Certificate of Storage approximately 6-8 weeks later, which includes the unique ID number and processing results.

Components Stored

AlphaCord’s cord blood processing results in a red-cell reduced stem cell product, considered the industry gold standard. The "buffy coat" fraction, which contains white cells and stem cells, is preserved, while red blood cells and plasma are stored separately for future testing.

• Cord Blood Package: This package stores cord blood only. Contains hematopoietic stem cells with 80+ uses in transplant medicine today, including treating cancer and blood disorders.
• Cord Blood & Cord Tissue Package: This comprehensive package stores cord blood and cord tissue. The tissue contains mesenchymal, epithelial and endothelial stem cells, with additional treatment possibilities in regenerative medicine.
• Cord Blood, Cord Tissue & Placenta Package: The ultimate option for all the stem cells you need from the cord blood, cord tissue and placental tissue for protecting your family.

Parents receive sample test results, including maternal infectious disease test results, total nucleated cell (TNC) count, mononuclear cell (MNC) count, and CD34+/CD45+ count, along with a Certificate of Storage. This certificate details the cell counts, viability, and microbiology testing of the stored stem cells and other blood components. AlphaCord offers both annual and 20-year storage packages, ensuring flexibility to meet families' needs.

Storage Method

AlphaCord provides long-term storage of clients' cord blood, cord tissue, and placenta tissue in proprietary cryogenic tanks. Within these tanks, specimens are maintained in nitrogen vapor at approximately -196°C (-316°F). Each tank undergoes thorough daily inspections and is continually monitored electronically. In the unlikely event of a temperature deviation, alarms are triggered, alerting on-duty lab technicians immediately.

The accredited laboratory is equipped with backup generators to address potential electrical failures. Cord blood units are stored in specialized cryobags with two compartments—80% of the unit in one section and 20% in another—ensuring optimal preservation. Additionally, each bag includes three integrally attached segments that can be used for testing or future expansion technologies.

AlphaCord offers an optional five-chamber storage bag, allowing families to utilize one portion of the unit while cryopreserving the others for future treatments. Prior to storage, each cryobag is encased in a second overwrap bag, which is sealed to minimize the risk of cross-contamination. For enhanced mechanical protection, each cord blood bag is placed in an aluminum outer storage canister featuring unique bar-coded identification labels.

The stem cells are stored in specialized bio vaults called dewars, designed for long-term cryostorage. The cord blood units are suspended above a pool of liquid nitrogen, creating a vapor-phase environment that eliminates the risk of cross-contamination. These dewars can operate without electricity, with 24/7 recording of storage condition parameters. Newborn stem cells can theoretically remain viable indefinitely; some successfully engrafted samples have been cryogenically stored for over 30 years. To ensure additional security, cord blood and tissue cells are cryogenically stored in separate dewars located in different storage areas, recognizing that they may have distinct medical applications.

Licensing & Accreditation

AlphaCord upholds the highest standards for cellular therapy services through:

• United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Registration
• Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies (AABB) Accreditation
• Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) Certification

Clinical Experience

AlphaCord has helped 28 families use their cord blood stem cells for established and experimental medical treatments. Together with other laboratories in the CSG.BIO Group, they have released a total of 785 therapies globally utilizing cell therapies from both cord blood and birth tissues.

Insurance

AlphaCord provides engraftment insurance to enhance peace of mind for families. If the cord blood stem cells processed and stored by AlphaCord are prepared for transplant and fail to engraft, AlphaCord will cover up to $85,000 toward obtaining another source of matching cells. For specific details and additional conditions, please refer to AlphaCord's guarantee.

Prices

When saving your child’s stem cells with AlphaCord there are no hidden costs, like extra charges for the standard testing of the samples. AlphaCord stands for high quality and service at a fair price. All newborn stem cell banking options include: a complete collection 3-in-1 kit, all shipping charges for the kit, world-class, high-quality processing and quality testing. Please visit AlphaCord’s website for more information: https://alphacord.com/pages/costs

Annual Plans

Cord Blood Package
This package stores cord blood only.
Includes shipping, processing, and 1^st year of storage
$850 or $81/mo (12 months) / ($150 annual storage fee - starts 2^nd year)

Cord Blood & Cord Tissue Package
This comprehensive package stores cord blood and cord tissue.
Includes shipping, processing, and 1^st year of storage
$1,278 or $116/mo (12 months) / ($300 annual storage fee - starts 2^nd year)

Cord Blood, Cord Tissue & Placenta Package
The ultimate option for all the stem cells you need from the cord blood, cord tissue and placental tissue for protecting your family.
Includes shipping, processing, and 1^st year of storage
$1,588 or $142/mo (12 months) / ($400 annual storage fee - starts 2^nd year)

Prepaid 20 Years Storage Plans

Cord Blood Package - 20 year storage
This package stores cord blood only.
Includes shipping, processing, and 20 years of storage
$3,400 or $298/mo (12 months)

Cord Blood & Cord Tissue Package - 20 year storage
This comprehensive package stores cord blood and cord tissue.
Includes shipping, processing, and 20 years of storage
$6,378 or $546/mo (12 months)

Cord Blood, Cord Tissue & Placenta Package - 20 year storage
The ultimate option for all the stem cells you need from the cord blood, cord tissue and placental tissue for protecting your family.
Includes shipping, processing, and 20 years of storage
$8,788 or $747/mo (12 months)

Additional Services

5-Chamber Cord Blood Storage Bag
AlphaCord offers a state-of-the-art 5-chamber cord blood storage bag, providing expecting parents with innovative technology that separates collected cord blood into five distinct chambers. This advancement is essential for parents, as it allows for the potential use of cord blood in multiple future treatments instead of limiting it to a single application. Each chamber can be accessed individually, preserving the integrity of the remaining cord blood for subsequent therapies. This flexibility is particularly beneficial in scenarios where multiple treatments may be required over time, whether for the same child or other family members, making it a crucial consideration for parents seeking to maximize the long-term advantages of cord blood banking.