Scientists Give the Go-Ahead for Private Storage of Stem Cells From Umbilical Cord Blood

Zutphen, Netherlands, June 4, 2010 (ots/PRNewswire) - Four
world-renowned stem cell experts have recently given their full
support to private cordblood banking. The four scientists supported
the "Family Cord Blood Bank" which has just been established in the
US by CORD:USE.

Cryo-Save , the largest stem cell bank in Europe, is very pleased
with this positive development. "We expect that the merit of private
storage of stem cells will also increase in Europe and that the
sometimes unreasonable arguments, which prevent people from storing
stem cells in a number of countries, will disappear", according to
CEO Arnoud van Tulder, "combined storage seems to be the way of the
future".

What is the merit of umbilical cord blood?

Umbilical cord blood contains very valuable cells; stem cells
which can multiply and grow into cells which can cure serious and
sometimes deadly diseases. They are used to combat more than 70
different diseases and research into new applications is continuously
increasing; at present, more than 3,000 clinical studies are in
progress. The blood and the stem cells are analyzed and processed
using advanced technology and subsequently stored in the gas phase of
liquid nitrogen. When needed, the cells can be used immediately.

Private versus public storage?

As a parent, you can have the umbilical cord blood with the stem
cells of your child stored in the private or family blood bank. The
stem cells are then available for later use and guarantee an exact
match for the child concerned, and 25% chance that they are also an
exact match for a brother or sister. Worldwide, hundreds of thousands
of parents already decided to store the stem cells from the umbilical
cord blood of their children in a private bank.

When the choice is public storage, the parents decide to make the
stem cells available to others. The cells can then be utilized to
save the life of another, unknown person, who shows a match with the
donor blood. However, the donor parents do not have any guarantee
that the stem cells remain available for their own child as well. In
addition, it turns out that only 30 to 50% of all donations are
indeed stored. The rest is destroyed. You will only get the guarantee
that the stem cells are available if your child needs them by storing
in a private or family bank.

Cryo-Save goes for combined storage

With more than 130,000 samples stored and activities in more than
38 countries, Cryo-Save is the largest stem cell bank in Europe.

The stem cells are taken from the umbilical cord and umbilical
tissue. In Italy, Cryo-Save offers combined storage for both private
as well as public use. This offers the guarantee that the blood is
available for one's own child if it is ever needed, but is also
available to help others. Pending approval of the authorities,
Cryo-Save plans to introduce this "best-of-both worlds"
combined-storage service in other countries as well.

For more information: Cryo-Save Group +31(0)575-548-998, Arnoud
van Tulder, CEO, Marc Waeterschoot, Executive Director

For more information about this press release, surf to
http://www.cryo-savegroup.com/investor_news.html and
http://www.cryo-savegroup.com/company_news.html

ots Originaltext: Cryo-Save Group
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Contact:
CONTACT: For more information: Cryo-Save Group +31(0)575-548-998,
Arnoudvan Tulder, CEO, Marc Waeterschoot, Executive Director