Family Bank: MaterCell

About

MaterCell, established 2003, is the first family cord blood bank in Argentina. MaterCell offers processing and storage of stem cells from the umbilical cord blood and umbilical cord tissue. We are the only bank in Argentina offering mesenchymal stem cell expansion.  

Labs and Locations

We process, test, verify and cryo-preserve at our own lab located in Gallo 1228, Ciudad Autonoma de Capital Federal, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Business Experience

MaterCell has marketed cord blood banking since 2003, and has now stored 40.000 samples, becoming the largest bank in Argentina. We collect samples every day, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and we reach all of Argentina and Uruguay.

As  pioneers in the industry, our companies are recognized as regional leaders in cord blood and cord tissue preservation. Our processing techniques and quality control are held to the highest standards in the country.

Collection Kit

MaterCell Collection Kit includes a sterile collection bag developed by Rivero, a local corporation.  The bag is pre-filled with citrate phosphate dextrose (CPD), which is ANMAT approved as anti-coagulant and cell preservative. The blood bag is packaged in a double antiseptic bag that allows it to be used in laboratory clean rooms and for C-Section births. Other kit components are: An antiseptic wipe to clean the umbilical cord prior to cord blood collection, maternal blood tubes, shipping labels, instructions, and sterile tissue tubes.

Transportation container

Shipping the cord blood collection kit to the parents is included in the standard contract price. The collection and transportation kit comes in a special insulated container validated to maintain room temperature under test conditions. 

Shipping Info

MaterCell has a medical courier on staff for personalized pickup of cord blood collections from hospitals within a 50 mile radius. Out of area shipping is by TANET, a private medical authorized courier that ships for us in faraway places of our country. The courier is available 24/7 to minimize the time between birth and the processing of the sample. MaterCell laboratory is open 7 days a week, so it is possible to initiate the cells separation as soon as the sample arrives.

Processing Method

MaterCell uses a validated processing method that combines a manual cell separation with sedimentation and spin under  the “Rubinstein method” procedures.

The Director of the tissue bank or the Medical Director can contact clients directly in cases where the processing results are outside of the reference range. If the final stem cell count of the cord blood is low (for use in transplants), the parents are informed and can choose not to store it. By 2024, MaterCell processed and stored more than 40,000 samples.

Components Stored

The component of the blood that is stored after processing contains white blood cells and stem cells plus testing portions to be used prior for any transplant. There are three integrally attached segments for confirmatory tests.  We also store five test aliquots for additional testing: initial HLA, quality control, post thaw viability, etc. Parents are provided with a personalized report from the MaterCell Cord Blood Bank that includes: cord blood volume processed, Total Nucleated Cell (TNC) count, CD34+ cell count, cell viability, and maternal testing for infectious diseases.

Storage Method

The cord blood is stored in a two-compartment blood bag with two integrally attached test segments. The blood bag is then placed in an overwrap pouch for additional safety. This wrapped bag is loaded into a metal case prior to placement in the inventory system of the liquid nitrogen storage tanks.

At the Matercell laboratory we have our own liquid nitrogen storage system that provides high efficiency, uninterrupted service to our storage units as well as powerful back-up generators to guarantee that stem cells and tissue are safe. We also maintain 24 hours video surveillance, emergency generators, and a wireless temperature alarm system to ensure the safety and security of all samples.

Licensing & Accreditation

• MaterCell is the first bank in Argentina to have a management system quality certification according to the international standard ISO 9001:2008, certified by Bureau Veritas Argentina.
• MaterCell laboratory is registered, certified and accredited by Asociación de Bancos de Células Madre de Cordón Umbilical (ABCordon).

Clinical Experience

MaterCell is involved in clinical trials with umbilical cord blood, for example we have sent samples to be used at Duke University. We have released more than 22 samples for therapy of our clients. MaterCell cord blood samples have been used to treat oxygen deprivation at birth, Cerebral Palsy, bone reconstitution in Spain, and cleft palate reconstitution in Argentina.

Community Service

• We offer discounts for medical doctors, and also offer competitive rates to all domestic clients. 
• Free banking is given to families where an immediate relative has a diagnosis for which transplantation is standard therapy.

Prices

Payment is due at the time the cord blood unit is stored at MaterCell Processing Laboratory. Enrollment, courier, and 1st year storage fee: $535 (cord blood only, single birth) Subsequent annual storage fee $150. Discounts for pre-paid annual storage are available.  Contact MaterCell for current prices and promotions.

Additional Services

We offer two types of services:

• Complementary includes enrollment, messaging, processing and storage for the first year (cord blood + cord tissue).
• Integral includes enrollment, messaging, processing and storage for the first year (cord blood + cord tissue), PLUS expansion of Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSC) from cord tissue to store a treatment-ready cell product. We are the only family bank in Argentina offering expansion of Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSC).

Please contact MaterCell for current pricing and benefits.