Cord Blood Registry(R) Releases an Increasing Number of Stem Cell Samples to Treat a Broad Range of Medical Conditions

SAN BRUNO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cord Blood Registry^® (CBR^®), the world’s largest and most experienced cord blood stem cell bank, today announced that it has released a total of five stem cell samples in the first quarter of the year for transplant or infusion. Three of the cases are individuals who will require their own cord blood stem cells for autologous infusions for cerebral palsy, type I diabetes, and a rare autoimmune disorder related to autism.

“The growing number of requests CBR is receiving for release of samples to the families who stored them is an important indication that the medical community is increasingly using autologous and genetically-related cord blood stem cells to help save lives”

The additional two samples were released for use by a sibling in each family: one to treat acute myeloid leukemia and the other to treat a serious blood disease, Diamond Blackfan anemia. In addition to the samples released for transplants, the company received five additional requests to release measured samples, also known as aliquots, to be used for pre-transplantation analysis.

“The growing number of requests CBR is receiving for release of samples to the families who stored them is an important indication that the medical community is increasingly using autologous and genetically-related cord blood stem cells to help save lives,” said David Harris, Ph.D., CBR scientific director and professor of immunology at the University of Arizona. “It is particularly encouraging to see the benefits of cord blood stem cells extend to patients with diverse unmet medical needs. This includes a number of regenerative medicine therapies which require a patient’s own cells.”

According to the National Marrow Donor Program, the number of transplants using cord blood as a source of stem cells will surpass those using bone marrow later this year.

CBR also reported today that it continues to outpace the industry in the total number of enrollments and achieved its highest enrollment months ever during the quarter.

“Expectant parents continue to choose CBR more than any other family bank,” said Tom Moore, chief executive officer of CBR. “The company demonstrated another strong quarter of growth and continued significant positive cash flow from operations.”

Among other company highlights this quarter:

CBR demonstrated support to regenerative medicine researchers through participation in a cutting-edge clinical trial in the U.S. designed to evaluate cord blood stem cells as a potential treatment for patients with type I diabetes as well as through the release of a sample for an FDA-approved compassionate use infusion for an autoimmune disease related to autism.
Implementation of the company’s automated cell processing system, AutoXpress^TM Platform (AXP^TM), continues on-schedule, with a current run-rate of approximately 3,000 enrollments per month being processed on the system. Full production phase-over to AXP is expected to be complete by September 2007. AXP, provided in partnership with GE Healthcare (NYSE: GE) and ThermoGenesis (NASDAQ: KOOL), enables CBR to increase its cell processing capacity while maintaining or exceeding its industry-leading cell recovery rates. An FDA application for AXP is on file and approval is pending later in 2007. Initial data analyzing the results of AXP will be presented at an upcoming reproductive health meeting.

About Cord Blood Registry

Cord Blood Registry (CBR), a registered trademark of Cbr Systems, Inc., is the largest cord blood stem cell processing and cryopreservation service for familial use in transplantation and regenerative medicine and the most recommended cord blood bank by obstetricians. Accredited by AABB, Cord Blood Registry preserves cord blood stem cells for more than 165,000 newborns throughout the world. CBR has released more than 45 client cord blood samples for specific therapeutic use, more than any other family cord blood bank. The company's research and development is focused on advancing the collection, processing, and storage methods to optimize quality and cell yield. Additionally, CBR facilitates collection of donated samples, available for research programs worldwide that are focused on stem cell expansion and other cell-based therapies. For more information about CBR, visit www.CordBlood.com.