CBR today announced the launch of two industry-leading innovations rolled into one: a new stem cell collection system that preserves a greater number and broader diversity of newborn stem cells -- from cord blood as well as the umbilical cord tissue itself – for potential use in a wider range of medical uses.  The new collection system includes: 1) an improved cord blood collection device that collects 30 percent more cord blood, and 2) a new supplementary option to preserve a section of umbilical cord tissue, which is a rich source of mesenchymal cells (MSCs). 

As reported in some of our previous blog posts, MSCs are a type of stem cell that are the building blocks of bone, cartilage, and connective tissue, and mediate the body’s inflammatory response to damaged or injured cells.  With more than 80 clinical trials currently underway in the U.S., researchers are becoming increasingly interested in the potential of MSCs to treat many different conditions, such as heart disease; stroke; bone disease and injury; and autoimmune diseases like type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis.  Researchers are also investigating the potential of MSCs to heal common joint and sports injuries.*  Because umbilical cord tissue has significantly more MSCs than the cord blood, CBR’s new collection system preserves a section of umbilical cord tissue, so that the newborn MSCs contained in the tissue can be later processed for medical application. 

In terms of cord blood, having more stem cells stored and available for treatment can result in better clinical outcomes and may facilitate multiple uses in regenerative medicine applications.  Although CBR’s 99 percent cell recovery rate is already the highest in the industry, the company’s philosophy of pursuing continuous improvement led CBR to look for ways to increase the amount of cord blood initially collected, thus leading to higher overall stem cell recovery.  CBR’s new cord blood collection device helps the physician to better visualize the collection as well as assist in dislodging a clot or tissue plug, which may lead to higher volume collections.  Increasing the collection volume of cord blood ultimately will yield more stem cells preserved for future use. 

Click here to see video animation of the diversity of stem cells in the umbilical cord blood and cord tissue.