Lifecell to launch 24 new stemcell banks

Kolkata, Aug 04 (UNI) LifeCell, a joint venture between Asia CRYO-CELL Pvt ltd and Florida-based CRYO-CELL International, USA, has launched India's first exclusive private cord blood bank with 3000 clients across the country.

LifeCell vice-president (marketing) Mangipudi told UNI today that families had been increasingly choosing to collect and preserve the unique stem cells contained in the remaining blood from the umbilical cord.

'' Stem cells are used to treat over 75 serious illnesses such as leukemia, lymphoma, sickle cell anemia, and other life-threatening conditions. Medical studies demonstrate superior outcomes using newborn stem cells from a genetically related family member compared to using stem cells from an unrelated donor, '' he said.

LifeCell's main cord blood stem cell banking facility is located at Keelakotaiyur in Tamil Nadu.

The company has set up 16 new banks in the country, including Kolkata and all other metros.

LifeCell has planned to launch 24 centres by March, 2007, he added.

The company will set up a stemcell transplant centre in the city to treat over 75 serious illnesses such as leukemia, lymphoma, sickle cell anemia and other life-threatening conditions.

The Kolkata stem cell transplant centre will be followed by Chennai.

The first transplant centre would start next month in Chennai in association of Ramchandra Medical College in a 15,000 sq ft area.

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