Researchers at Cryo-Cell International Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: CCEL), one of the world's largest cord blood banks, have isolated a new type of adult stem cell with potential for treating a broad range of diseases in the future. The stem cell, called a maternal placental stem cell (MPSC), is taken from the discarded placental tissue immediately after childbirth. Like stem cells recovered from umbilical cord blood, these cells may be collected without any risk to the mother or child.
The new cell is maternal in origin, meaning it is genetically matched with the mother. Cryo-Cell is preparing to commercialize an exclusive new service offering involving collection and preservation of MPSCs from placental tissue at the time of birth. The proposed new service will be based on the Company's intellectual property (IP) associated with methods, processes and systems for the procurement, isolation, processing and cryopreservation of MPSCs.
Maternal stem cells have not to date been used in human therapies however, researchers believe that these cells may serve as an alternative to embryonic stem cells in the development of human cellular therapies and for use in regenerative medicine associated with the donor (mother). In independent laboratory studies, MPSCs have successfully differentiated into several other cell types, including neural, bone and fat cells. Even after many population doublings, MPSCs appear to remain stable and retain key characteristics.
The Company plans to offer the MPSC service, when it is commercially available, bundled with its U-Cord(R) umbilical stem cell collection and storage services. Cryo-Cell believes that the MPSC service will provide families with the unique opportunity to safeguard both the mother and her newborn with stem cells preserved for their future potential therapeutic utilization. The Company is proceeding with steps to commercialize the proposed service and expects to announce a targeted launch date in the coming months. Prior to the Company's commercial launch of this service, certain developments must occur, including completion of clinical validation and testing for commercialization of the process and the Company's development of its final business and economic model in offering this service. These activities are currently underway.
"This is a very exciting advance for women's healthcare -- identifying maternal stem cells from a tissue source traditionally regarded as medical waste that are matched to the donor and can differentiate into several types of cells," said Julie Allickson, Ph.D., Vice President, Laboratory Operations, Research and Development. "With the MPSC and its apparent proliferative capability, we may have a potential new pathway for prospective therapeutic applications associated with a broad range of conditions afflicting women, such as diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis and neurological disorders, to name a few."
Cryo-Cell is in the process of partnering with prominent academic institutions specializing in regenerative medicine and expects to initiate preclinical (animal) studies of the MPSC to advance research and development. The Company also intends to explore the potential for future pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical applications of this proprietary technology.
"Cryo-Cell will be positioned to offer expectant mothers a combination no other company can promise: the highest accredited quality of umbilical cord blood preservation, a proven life-saving treatment, combined with the maternal placental stem cell service, which has the potential to protect the mother's health in the future. We expect that the compelling synergies between these two services will serve to significantly differentiate Cryo-Cell's future message to expectant mothers: 'Protect your baby, protect yourself'," said Mercedes Walton, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Cryo-Cell.
Center for Regenerative Medicine
In a related development, the company has formed the Cryo-Cell Center for Regenerative Medicine. The center, located within the company's Oldsmar headquarters, unifies the company's emerging proprietary technology portfolio under the leadership of Dr. Allickson, who was recently named Vice President, Laboratory Operations, Research and Development. In addition to MPSC, the Center will continue to develop other types of stem cells that could potentially lead to new, life-saving and life-enhancing products and services.
"The Center for Regenerative Medicine is a new function within our organization that will consolidate Cryo-Cell's emerging IP portfolio and state-of-the-art lab facilities to support the Company's strategic plans for product and service diversification, while potentially creating new sources of revenue through technology license," said Walton. "We believe these non- controversial stem cells will offer innovative opportunities to create life- saving and life-enhancing products."
About Cryo-Cell International, Inc.
Based in Oldsmar, Florida, with over 135,000 clients worldwide, Cryo-Cell is one of the largest and most established family cord blood banks. ISO 9001:2000 certified and accredited by the AABB, Cryo-Cell operates in a state-of-the-art Good Manufacturing Practice and Good Tissue Practice (cGMP/cGTP)-compliant facility. Cryo-Cell is a publicly traded company. OTC Bulletin Board Symbol: CCEL.
Cryo-Cell International Inc.
http://www.cryo-cell.com 
