Cord Blood America, one of the leading companies in the cryopreservation and storage of adult stem cells derived from human umbilical cord blood, today announced the scheduled opening of a major new facility later in the year. To be located in Las Vegas, the new 17,000 square foot laboratory will involve the conversion of an already existing structure and will include state-of-the-art technology for the storage of stem cells as well as further stem cell R&D.
According to Matthew Schissler, founding CEO of Cord Blood America, "Our target for having a cord blood processing lab in operation, a testing lab, and a cryogenic storage area, is the fourth quarter of 2009. This will complete Phase One of the construction. Currently architectural plans are completed, and needed demolition of parts of the interior building is underway. Phase Two will involve building out of the largest cryogenic facilities in the country, as well as a research laboratory, additional processing labs and a clean room. Completion is expected in 2010."
Founded in 2002 and headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Cord Blood America is one of the largest companies in the world in the field of stem cell preservation. In addition to the storage of adult stem cells derived from human umbilical cord blood, Cord Blood America is also expanding its R&D into the processing and storage of adult stem cells derived from other sources, such as human peripheral blood and adipose (fat) tissue.
Dr. Geoffrey O’Neill will serve as laboratory director of the new facility, while Brian Pockett will remain vice president of laboratory operations. Dr. O’Neill has coauthored more than 75 publications about stem cells, and was formerly the laboratory and scientific/medical director for Cryo-Cell International.
As described on their website, Cord Blood America is the parent company of CorCell, "which facilitates umbilical cord blood stem cell preservation for expectant parents and their children." As further described on their website, "Collected through a safe and non-invasive process, cord blood stem cells offer a powerful and potentially life-saving resource for treating a growing number of ailments, including cancer, leukemia, blood and immune disorders."
