Collection: StemCyte’s Stem Cell Optimization Process begins with a collection process, strongly preferred by transplant physicians. We only use blood bags for collection. Blood bags represent a superior closed system (to test tubes or vials) that minimizes the risk of bacterial and fungal contamination, and they are strongly preferred by transplant physicians for their safety.
Transport: We only use heavily insulated transport containers that have been validated to maintain an optimum temperature during shipment under all weather conditions.
Processing: With our processing method, over 90% of the nucleated cells received at collection are successfully recovered. This recovery rate significantly exceeds other volume reduction methods, such as red cell depletion, which published data shows yield anywhere between 25%-80%.
Freezing and Thawing: Our unprecedented post-thaw cell viability is due to two specific aspects of the process: 1) the highly efficient procedure and the meticulous care taken in minimizing the time of exposure to the cryogenic freezing agent (DMSO), at non-freezing temperatures, which can kill cells with overexposure; and 2) the validated and unique “cold-thawing” procedure that minimizes stem cell loss resulting from post-thaw. The longer stem cells are exposed to the cryogenic freezing agent (DMSO) at room temperature, the greater the risk of viable or active stem cell loss.
Testing: All cord blood units are tested for sterility and screened for all the blood bank virus diseases markers, by both serological and nucleic acid tests (NAT) using both maternal and cord blood samples.
Higher Standards: Over 400 standard operating procedures and quality controls monitor our cord blood banking process, and five patents have been filed surrounding StemCyte’s proprietary stem cell laboratory processing methods.
