Why Progenics

Our laboratory is dedicated to the processing and cryopreservation of human umbilical cord blood and cord tissue stem cells.

We use the unique, modified double stem cell extraction processing technique developed by Progenics’ Research & Development Team.

Our protocols are designed with safeguards against possible human error, equipment malfunction and power failures.

We are committed to processing cord blood and cord tissue units within the first 24 hours from collection.

A certificate of cryopreservation that includes improtant quality indicators will be issued to the parents.

Consistent High Quality

Get the Most out of Your Cord Blood

The quantity and viability of stem cells extracted from cord blood units are critical parameters for a successful transplantation. Progenics consistently yields a high average of 98% of Total Nucleated Cells (TNCs) from all cord blood units processed between the years of 2014-2018 (Graph on the left).

Click here from more details from our annual quality report.

What is Yield of TNC?

The percentage of total yield of nucleated cells (TNC) indicates the processing quality of a cord blood bank. Please look at the formula on the right.

This formula is use to calculate the percentage of total nucleated cells for all cord blood units that are banked at our facility. Simply put, a higher yield(%) equals higher quality. This distinguishes Progenics’ results from claims made by most other cord blood banks. We are proud of our consistent high yield of TNC which are shown in Annual Quality Reports. For further information, please have a look on our published peer-reviewed journal. (Yang H et al, Transfusion (2011) 51;284-292).

Higher Viability of Stem Cells

It has been supported that a shorter time between collection and processing is a critical factor that affects banking quality (Pope B., et al Transfusion 2012), and ensures that cells processed will have a higher viability. At Progenics, cord blood units are required to be cryopreserved within 48 hours from the collection time to start of the cryopreservation.

Certificate of Cryopreservation

A Certificate of Cryopreservation that includes important quality indicators will be issued to the parents.It includes:

a)Client full name and Progenics ID number

b)Cord blood volume that was collected

c)The yield of TNC (%)

d)The number of total nucleated cells (TNC) banked for transplantation

Double Stem Cell Extraction

Progenics uses the unique, modified double stem cell extraction processing technique developed by Progenics’ Research & Development Team (Yang H et al., Transfusion (2011) 51;284-292 and Yang H et al., Transfusion (2015) 55:70-78).This technique, allows us to obtain a significant high rate of TNC recovery.

Cryopreservation

Our fire-resistant storage facility is equipped with backup generators, in the event of a power failure. In addition, the storage facility and the temperature inside the freezers are monitored 24 hours daily by security, video surveillance and environmentally monitoring and alarm systems. In case of emergencies, backup liquid nitrogen freezers are available at our storage facility which can be used immediately to transfer the contents of a dysfunctional freezer.

We use Pall cord blood collection bags which have completed an extensive sterilization process (internally and externally). It is made safe and convenient cord blood collection for vaginal births and cesarean sections. The bag is FDA NDA approved and CE marked under the Medical Devices Directive for the collection of cord blood

At Progenics, we use Pall freezing bags which have two compartments. The cord blood stem cells can either be used for up to two transplants, or one compartment can be used for expansion, and the other for a direct transplant.

Secure Long-Term Storage

Validated Quality Assurance

Quality assessment is continuously monitored and validated by Progenics’ Research and Development Team. Please see below for previous studies carried out associated with :

Factors affecting banking quality of umbilical cord blood for transplantation
Effects of interruptions of controlled-rate freezing on the viability of umbilical cord blood stem cells

For further information please check below:

Yang H, Loutfy MR, Mayerhofer S, Shuen P. Factors affecting banking quality of umbilical cord blood for transplantation. Transfusion (2011) 51:284-292.

Yang H, Pidgorna A, Loutfy MR, Shuen P. Effects of interruptions of controlled-rate freezing on the viability of umbilical cord blood stem cells. Transfusion (2015) 55:70-78.