Family Bank: Model Cell Biobank

About

The charity Leukaemia & Myeloma Research UK has set up a FREE cord blood banking service -  Model Cell Biobank - for eligible families. Their vision is to be the leading UK blood cancer charity specialising in stem cell therapy. Model Cell Biobank will actively support stem cell research into blood cancers, raise awareness of stem cell therapies, and offer a free stem cell storage service for qualifying families. This unique service will provide the opportunity for parents to store their baby’s cord blood for 25 years in case the child or another member of the family needs them in the future. Please see our on-line brochure that explains the cord blood banking process.

Labs and Locations

Leukaemia & Myeloma Research UK Charity business address is:
Unit 127, North Mersey Business Centre,
Woodward Road, Knowsley Industrial Park,
Liverpool, Merseyside, L33 7UY,
United Kingdom

The Model Cell Biobank relies on laboratory services of Smart Cells International:
Unit 7 Chancerygate
Horton Close, Horton Road
West Drayton, UB7 8EW
United Kingdom

Business Experience

Smart Cells was the first private stem cell bank established in the UK and has been helping families preserve the future potential of newborn stem cells for more than 20 years. Since our foundation, we have remained committed to providing families with a trusted, high-quality stem cell banking service, focused on safety, transparency, and clinical excellence. Smart Cells has released more cord blood samples for treatment than any other private stem cell bank in the UK, reflecting both the quality of our processing and the confidence families place in us.

Today, Smart Cells is now part of the FamiCord Group. FamiCord Group (operating under the name FamiCord AG since 2025, following the merger of PBKM and Vita 34 in 2021) is the European market leader and the third-largest stem cell bank worldwide. The Group has secured over 1.5 million biological material samples (mostly cord blood, cord tissue, placental blood, placenta). FamiCord has a robust operational infrastructure: 13 processing and storage laboratories, 2 storage only laboratories, and 3 cell & gene GMP centers for CDMO activity, controlling approximately 55-60% of the European cord blood banking market.

Supplying stem cells for medical use remains at the core of the Group's focus. FamiCord actively supports the use of stem cells in treatments, with a history of over 8,500 patients treated with 16,500 stem cell preparations including 278 cord blood applications (as of June 2026). The Group has been involved in several clinical trials in the area of: cardiology, neurology, dermatology, orthopedics and others in the role of sole sponsor, co-sponsor or supplier of cell-based ATMP. FamiCord also actively participates in cerebral palsy treatment programs for children [Expanded Access Program conducted in Lublin, Poland].

The CDMO (Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization) activity, primarily under the Bramble Bio brand, remains an advanced technological pillar. Through 3 specialized CDMO centers located in Germany, Poland and Portugal, the Group provides comprehensive manufacturing services for Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs) in compliance with cGMP standards, strengthening its position as a trusted contract manufacturer for the biotechnology industry.

Regarding the development of CAR-T cell therapies (oncology), the Group has revised its strategy. FamiCordTx, initially developed as an internal venture, is now an independent entity with which FamiCord Group is affiliated (holding an approximately 20% stake). This allows the Group to focus its resources on its core business and commercial B2B services.

The scale of medical operations is built on solid financial foundations. In 2025, FamiCord Group generated sales revenues of EUR 88.17 million (a 7.3% year-over-year increase) with significant proportion of recurrent revenue. The Group achieved an EBITDA of EUR 10.6 million (a 12.3% y/y increase). FamiCord AG is listed at Deutsche Boerse in Franfurt and is backed mostly by financial shareholders (AOC – private equity, SVF – investment fund, Nationale Netherlanden – pension fund and others). This guarantees absolute stability and security for the long-term storage of materials entrusted by patients.

Collection Kit

The collection kit provides all consumables for the collection of the cord blood and cord tissue as well as the maternal blood sample for the required blood tests. The cord blood is collected in a Macopharma bag which is sterile both inside and out so that it can enter the operating room and be used during a C-section.

Shipping Info

The charity Leukaemia & Myeloma Research UK pays for the transportation of the kit from the hospital to the laboratory using a dedicated courier service.

Processing Method

Smart Cells processes cord blood samples manually using a validated sedimentation method with HES (hydroxyethyl starch). This method is used to facilitate the separation of the main cellular components of the sample, allowing the plasma to be separated from the stem cell-rich fraction and the red blood cells.

Components Stored

After red cells and plasma have been removed, the final storage is the "buffy coat" layer of blood that holds both white cells and stem cells. Small testing portions are also stored in case they are needed for tissue typing or other diagnostic tests. Parents are provided with a certificate describing all test results, including CD 34+ cell counts & cell viability.

Storage Method

The final storage of the buffy coat layer of blood is in a cryogenic-ready blood bag encased in a metal cassette. The unit is immersed in a freezer holding the vapour phase of cryogenic nitrogen.

Licensing & Accreditation

Smart Cells is licensed by the UK's Human Tissue Authority (HTA) and accredited under ISO 9001.

Clinical Experience

• FamiCord Group has provided more than 8,500 clinical stem cell therapies worldwide, including both standard hematopoietic stem cell transplantations and experimental/regenerative medicine therapies.
• Famicord Group has released 278 cord blood units for therapy as of June 2026.
• The Group has extensive experience in releasing autologous cord blood units for children diagnosed with neurological disorders, particularly autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and cerebral palsy (CP), under dedicated therapeutic access programs.
• Selected laboratories within the FamiCord network also participate in public cord blood banking programs and collect cord blood donations intended for unrelated donor transplantations.
• FamiCord Group actively participates in clinical trials, observational studies, and compassionate use programs involving cord blood and mesenchymal stem cell therapies in neurological, hematological, immunological, and regenerative medicine indications. More information: https://famicord.com/science-and-clinical-trials/
• Through its GMP-certified manufacturing facilities in Poland and Portugal, FamiCord develops and manufactures advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs) based on cord blood, perinatal tissues, and mesenchymal stem cells. The Group is involved in translational medicine projects focused on developing innovative regenerative therapies and cell-based medicinal products.
• FamiCord collaborates with leading hospitals, transplantation centers, and regenerative medicine clinics across Europe and internationally, supporting innovative therapeutic programs using cord blood and perinatal stem cells.

Community Service

Smart Cells provides stem cell storage services to qualifying families through their partnership with the Model Cell Biobank project of the charity Leukaemia & Myeloma Research UK.

Prices

The charity Leukaemia & Myeloma Research UK pays for all of the services covering collection, processing, and 25 years of storage.

In order to be eligible for the free cord blood banking service, the mum-to-be must meet these criteria:

• be in receipt of Housing Benefit, Council Tax Support, or Universal Credit

as well as:

• if the stem cells from their baby could be used to treat their baby or another child for a medically proven treatment; they would need to provide a recommendation from a specialist
• if there is any cancer in their immediate family; a confirmation letter from the doctor would be required