Because clinical research has shown that stem cell count is an important factor that can affect treatment results, CBR developed a proprietary anticoagulant -- lyophilized heparin -- in an effort to increase the number of cord blood stem cells viable for preservation.  According to a study presented at an international cellular meeting demonstrating that lyophilized heparin is able to preserve the number of viable cord blood stem cells over a longer time period compared to the commonly-used anticoagulant, citrate phosphate dextrose (CPD).

Cord blood has a tendency to coagulate – or form clots – after it’s been collected, which can interfere with stem cell processing and preservation.  To prevent clotting, cord blood collection devices are pre-loaded with an anticoagulant.  CPD, which has been commercially-available for decades, was originally developed to extend the shelf life of red blood cells collected for use in blood transfusion therapies for patients with severe blood loss or anemia.  However, red blood cells are typically discarded in the process of saving cord blood stem cells.  Consequently, CBR developed its proprietary lyophilized heparin with the goal of preserving cord blood stem cells--instead of red blood cells.

CBR’s research and development efforts continue to ensure the optimal numbers of stem cells available for medical use.

Click here to read more about the study results, as well as other advantages of lyophilized heparin over CPD.