LifeCell India to be Asia's largest cord-blood bank

Kolkata, June 24: LifeCell India, in collaboration with CRYO-CELL International of the USA, has set a target to become the largest private cord blood bank in Asia by 2010.

Speaking to UNI, LifeCell CEO V R Chandramouli today said, ''In the Indian market, where seven private players are already present, LifeCell India has already collected 7,000 cord blood samples from India.'' The company also aims to develop eastern Indian market as a hub to tap the market in South East Asian region and Bangladesh.

''We are planning to create a cord-blood collection centre in Bangladesh soon. Currently negotiations are on with a number of hospitals in that country,'' Mr Chandramouli said.

As a part of its mega plan to become a leading player in the cord-blood banking industry, the company would also set foot in South East Asian markets like Malayasia, Colombo, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Thailand.

''We are setting up a cord blood bank in Malaysia soon with a local partner,'' he said. In Colombo, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Thailand, the company would open regional centres.

Globally the demand of stem cell treatment is huge, he said adding that internationally four lakh umblical cords have been stored out of which 1,40,000 is stored by LifeCell. The company has a total global market share of 35 per cent.

" West Asia rpt West Asia is also a growing market and we are setting up a collection centre in that part of the world as well,'' he said.

Stem cell therapy is the latest cutting-edge technology in the field of medical science research. Among the various stem cell options available for providing treatment to a vast number of diseases like Diabetes, Leukaemia, spinal cord therapy, Thlassaemia, umbilical cord blood stem cells hold great promise.

A baby's umbilical cord, which is usually cut at the time of delivery and discarded - is a rich source of Stem Cells. Stem Cells have the unique ability to regenerate/ reproduce into over 200 types of tissues.

LifeCell and Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute (SRMC&RI), a deemed university, have jointly set up an exclusive stem cell transplant centre in Chennai.

Launched in November 2004, LifeCell has a family cord blood bank.

The company also has a public bank where people donate umbilical cord on voluntary basis.

UNI