Stem Cell
Insider

Gamida Cell received FDA approval for its allogeneic cell therapy, Omisirge: a new expanded cord blood cell source for stem cell transplantation.Omisirge may increase access to stem cell transplants, including among patients from diverse backgrounds.

The work of Dr. Joanne Kurtzberg and her colleagues at Duke University aims to bring novel cord blood and cord tissue-based cellular therapies to the clinic. Per the license agreement, additional patients will be provided access to cord blood and cord tissue treatments under Investigational New Drug Applications (INDs) currently held by Duke at a forthcoming Cryo-Cell stem cell infusion clinic, expected to open in early 2022.

Bone marrow MSCs, adipose tissue MSCs, umbilical cord MSCs and mononuclear cells have long been used in transplantations for a wide array of treatments. Umbilical cord blood and cord tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) are undergoing several clinical trial phases to test the safety and efficacy for use in infusions for patients with low back pain (LBP), intervertebral disc degeneration (IVD), and spinal cord injury (SCI).

Dr. Joanne Kurtzberg was present at the annual Cryo-Cell International conference to deliver news of her latest work on cell expansion technologies and to share success stories of former cord blood transplant patients. 

Ex vivo expansion has the potential to greatly increase the use of cord blood stem cells as a standard treatment. A growing number of studies are looking at various methods of expanding cord blood stem cells, and a number of these studies are in the second and third phases, suggesting that ex vivo expansion protocols are proving safe, effective and feasible.

Results from a three year trial involving a combination of high-dose immunosuppressive therapy (HDIT) followed by an autologous stem cell transplant show incredible promise in the treatment of this debilitating disease.

The most exciting advance in cord blood banking research is the recent discovery of a molecule, UM171, which can dramatically increase the number of stem cells in a cord blood unit. A phase I study is scheduled for December 2014.

Cryo-Cell International is the first private cord blood bank in the U.S. to receive The Foundation for the Accreditation for Cellular Therapy (FACT) accreditation for voluntarily adhering to the most stringent cord blood quality standards set by any internationally recognized, independent accrediting organization.

At Cryo-Cell, we are continually evaluating ways to improve the quality of our stem cell products to ensure that our specimens are the best in the industry. We have developed a new and improved kit for collection and transportation of cord blood and tissue that provides up to 30 times the protection from extreme temperatures as compared to other kits currently used in the industry. Stem Cells lose viability and functionality when exposed to extreme temperatures. 

The 2012 Nobel Prize Award in Physiology or Medicine emphasizes the expectation that scientists and physicians have for the potential of using engineered adult stem cells to heal humans.