Is the bank financially strong, stable and transparent?

A GOOD INDICATION OF WHETHER A COMPANY WILL BE AROUND IN THE FUTURE IS HOW LONG THEY HAVE BEEN IN BUSINESS. Look for a bank that possesses a strong track record. Look at the business experience of the company. How long has it been banking cord blood? When you decide to bank your baby’s stem cells, you are about to secure a long term protection for your child. Check if the company has strong affiliation with other reputable cord blood banks or part of a stem cell banking group and that its business is being competently managed. A strong, financially stable and transparent company can be your assurance that your baby’s stem cell are securely and safely stored for years to come.

How long has the bank been established? How many clients’ stem cells stored?

How many years the bank been established and how many cord blood stem cells units stored would tell you that those clients have entrusted the company with their child’s cord blood stem cells storage. This is an indication that those parents have the trust and confidence with the bank. You should also take into account the years of experience and accountable transparency, management of the company, its commitment and reputation in its performance and services.

Does the company’s laboratory meet the quality standards required? Is it licensed and approved by recognized authority?

Expectant parents should clarify and verify with the company on the licences and regulatory standards required to operate a laboratory for stem cell processing and storage. The strategic location of the laboratory should also be taken into consideration, whether it is easily accessible and close to hospitals as time is of the essence for treatment facilitation. Last but not least, does the Company’s laboratory have power contingency plan to mitigate power failure, fire outbreak, theft and break-in, flood etc.?

Any transplants done? Are the cells still viable for use from the storage tanks?

Experience releasing cord blood for transplants and participating in experimental therapies is an indication that the company is successful with clinical applications of cord blood. It confirms that the cord blood stored is viable for therapies. A bank with the know-how and the number of successful stem cell transplantations performed with the collaboration of the medical doctors simply tells you of the bank’s experience and the stored stem cells are viable for transplantation treatments.

Does the lab have any accreditations or certifications from relevant authorities?

There are a few renowned accrediting agencies that ensure and monitor laboratory’s quality of services, specifically for cord blood laboratory. For example:

• ISO15189 – It verifies the recognition of the laboratory’s competence in laboratory management system and its technical practice in lab testing. The lab’s daily processes are also subjected to scrutiny by experienced lab directors from around the country.
• AABB (formerly known as American Association of Blood Banks) – it is highly sought-after accreditation by public and private cord blood banks in the world. It assesses the quality and operational systems in place within bank facility.

Is the bank financially strong, stable and transpaAny advance technology developments and R&D?

With the progress of medical science and scientific technology advancement, the company that goes the extra mile in research, clinical trials and technology development will be able to discover more possible treatments for you and your family. Also, through associated R&D partners (especially at global level), more applications / trials can be diversified and the potential of stem cell treatments can be maximized.

Is the cord blood being transported safely and efficiently? Does the bank provide this assurance in writing?

The first crucial step is for the collected cord blood and cord lining from hospital / clinic to be transported to the laboratory as soon as possible. Time is of the essence to ensure that live cells are sent to the laboratory for processing in optimal conditions for storage. The stem cells present in the freshly collected cord blood and cord lining are fragile and sensitive to temperature and should be carefully handled by a team of specially trained qualified dedicated personnel.

Does the bank carry out comprehensive testing and screening?

Comprehensive testing and screening should be carried out for every cord blood collection:

1. Cord blood volume collected
2. Number of total nucleated cells (TNC)
3. Number of CD34+ cells and viability
4. Baby’s blood group
5. Infectious diseases* (eg Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Syphilis, HIV, CMV) for cord blood and maternal blood
6. Contamination test

*as requested by National Standards for Cord Blood Banking and Transplantation issued by Ministry of Health Malaysia. For cord lining collected, a complete verification tests should include the following:

1. Microbial test for bacteria and fungi – To prove the units are cleared of any contamination
2. Biomarker test / Phenotyping test – To verify the presence of target cell(s) in tissue
3. Tissue verification test through cell expansion – To verify the targeted cells are viable and can be expanded