Cord blood and placental blood contain CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells, which are unique in their ability to become any kind of blood cell and have been used for transplants in the treatment of some blood disorders or cancers, immune deficiencies, and metabolic diseases. Numerous studies have demonstrated the increased probability of survival in transplant patients when more of these stem cells are used.1,2 

A typical collection of cord blood alone would yield approximately 1.8 million CD34+ stem cells. Celularity™’s proprietary research in February 2023 found an average increase of 68% in CD34+ cells when banking placental blood in addition to cord blood.3 Lifebank by Celularity™TM maximizes your chances of success in transplantation by preserving more stem cells today. 

1 Dehn J, Spellman S, et al. Selection of unrelated donors and cord blood units for hematopoietic cell transplantation: guidelines from the NMDP/CIBMTR. Blood. 2019;134(12):924-934. Available at: https://ashpublications.org/blood/article/134/12/924/374909/Selection-of-unrelated-donors-and-cord-blood-units. Accessed August 4, 2023.
2 Torlen J, Ringden O, et al. Low CD34 Dose is Associated with Poor Survival after Reduced-Intensity Conditioning Allogenic Transplantation for Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Myelodysplastic Syndrome. Biology of Blood and Marrow Transplantation. 2014;20(9):1418-1425. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S108387911400319X. Accessed August 4, 2023

Lifebank is the class act in cord blood and placental banking.

Here is our formal response to the article.

Lifebank™ is the only company to have pioneered the patented technology and method to preserve both placental blood and placental tissue. With Robert J. Hariri, M.D., Ph.D. at the helm of Lifebank™’s parent company, Celularity™, the scientific roots run deep. Expectant parents can also enjoy maximum choice with Lifebank™ because it can handle donation, private banking, or a combination of the two (where cord blood is stored for private use and the placenta is donated for the benefit of others).

The postpartum placenta is the critical source material required to create advanced cellular and tissue products. Interfyl® and Biovance® – two of the more popular placental-derived tissue product innovations within Celularity’s broader portfolio – are particularly beneficial to surgical patients and those suffering from burns, venous ulcers, or diabetic foot ulcers.

• Interfyl®: human connective tissue matrices that are absorbed into the body to replace or supplement damaged tissue
• Biovance®: protective covers that supports the body’s wound-recovery process and can be used in soft tissue repair, reconstructive procedures, and non-surgical settings.

In addition, Celularity™ continues to investigate and cultivate its pipeline of cellular therapeutics. Researchers are studying exosomes for their ability to deliver vital proteins, nucleic acids, and metabolites to target cells. The development of placental exosomes (pEXO) would aid in the development of blood vessels, neural cells, and muscles and expand the potential of regenerative medicine.

The screening and processing of human tissue must abide by the requirements of the FDA, AABB, and AATB. For individuals interested in having an outsized impact on others and reducing medical waste, the process of donating postpartum biomaterials begins with an assessment of the donor’s medical history. An expectant mom around the end of her second trimester can utilize our online screening tool to determine her eligibility to donate. 

Absolutely not! Since cord blood and placenta can only be donated after the birth of a healthy newborn, a donor of human umbilical cord blood (HUCB) and human placenta-derived stem cells (HPDSC) is neither at risk nor harmed in the process. The decision to donate these postpartum biomaterials prevents them from being discarded as medical waste and helps the medical community to better understand the vastly untapped power of these stem cells in ongoing clinical trials and experimental research.

Here is a list of diseases that are FDA approved to be treated with cord blood. You can also learn what therapies are undergoing clinical trials with cord blood or cord tissue cells. 

We offer a Sibling Program to parents with children with cerebral palsy, autism, or certain blood-related disorders. For more information, please contact MedicalAffairs@lifebankusa.com or 1-877-543-3226.