10 Things to Know About CryoCord - December 2024

Does CryoCord ring a bell? Because we don’t want your alarm bells to ring as you're being wheeled into the delivery room, you should know who CryoCord is and what they do… right about now! CryoCord is an established premier stem cell bank in Malaysia. When summoned, they collect cord blood and cord tissue from the umbilical cords from your newborn (if you allow them), populate them to be stored, and make them available to you when you need them. If you're irked out by that idea – don’t! Cord blood and stem cells save thousands of lives each year, and we want to interest you in how your child can potentially be given and give another person a new lease on life. Here are 10 things you need to know about CryoCord. 1. CryoCord has the largest laboratory in Southeast Asia with 10 Class-100 Cleanrooms So, what's a class-100 cleanroom? Image credit: CryoCord Malaysia It's a controlled environment that has 100 particles per cubic foot. As a comparison, an office space would have 500,000 to 1 million particles consisting of dust, aerosol particles, airborne microbes, and chemical vapours, per cubic foot. CryoCord has 10 cleanrooms for stem cell processing. Fitted with High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters by the National Environmental Balancing Bureau (NEBB), the United States of America, this state-of-the-art laboratory is crucial to reduce the chance of cross-contamination of bacterial samples when handling the precious stem cells. Image credit: CryoCord Malaysia 2. Accredited with AABB and the ONLY stem cell bank with certified cGMP certification in Malaysia They're not tooting their own horn. CryoCord's state-of-the-art laboratory is the only one in Malaysia to be certified with cGMP (PIC/S) requisites awarded by the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency under the National Pharmaceutical Control Bureau, a division of the Ministry of Health, Malaysia. They're also AABB-accredited – also known as the American Association of Blood Banks that set standards of developments and implementations of quality systems globally. 3. Medical panels led by Emeritus Prof. Dr. Cheong Soon Keng Emeritus Prof. Dr. Cheong Soon Keng, Medical Director. DJN, MBBS (Malaya), MRCP (UK), DCP(London), FRCP(Glasg), FRCP(Edin), FRCPA(Aust),FAM(Malaysia), FFScRCPA(Aust), FAM(Singapore), FASc(Malaysia), Consultant Haematologist and Professor of Medicine. (Image credit: CryoCord Malaysia) Emeritus Professor Cheong received his medical specialist training involving bone marrow (haematopoietic stem cells) transplantation in Hammersmith Hospital, London, United Kingdom. He later returned to Malaysia to establish his first clinical haematology services under UKM in Kuala Lumpur General Hospital in 1981. He was the one who initiated the adult haematopoietic stem cell transplant services at UKM teaching hospital in 1999. From there, he started researching stem cells (HSCs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) both from the bone marrow. His research group was the first in Malaysia to isolate and expand MSCs in vitro in 2001. Later on, he was the catalyst in the team that breathed new life into the cord blood banking industry as stored cord blood samples became valuable resources for cell/tissue or organ replacement therapy. His research group was also the first in Malaysia to establish human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs) in 2012, the year when the discoverer of iPSCs received the Nobel Prize. Because of this development, the possibility of off-the-shelf human spare parts appears not to be a too distant dream! 4. The cells are “treatment-ready” whenever it's needed during an emergency Image credit: CryoCord Malaysia Do you know the Malay phrase, sediakan payung sebelum hujan (prepare for a rainy day)? At CryoCord, this phrase is their mantra. That's why all of CryoCord’s MSCs (the stem cells from the umbilical cord) undergo cellular dissociation and expansion in the laboratory before they're stored. Because treatment generally requires higher cell numbers than those isolated from the cord tissue, CryoCord will populate them before storage so that there are enough needed. This population of cells takes time and needs to be done before storage. Or else, it'll not help during an emergency. 5. Experts in the field of storage and transplantation Image credit: CryoCord Malaysia CryoCord is not just “starting out” in this business. With a sizable amount of samples released for transplantation, there are currently more than 65,000 samples stored and growing. From their track records, you know that they know what they're doing and are experts in processing and storage methods. If you ever need the stem cells during a health emergency, you know that they know the protocol. 6. First in SEA to start storage of CordMSCs Image credit: Instagram @cryocord.malaysia In 2009, when cord blood was the only option for bio-insurance in Southeast Asia, CryoCord introduced mesenchymal stem cells (CordMSCs) storage. Originating from the umbilical cord, CordMSCs are the most primitive and hence, contain minimal damage from pollution and ageing. Stem cells are new cells that have not been given a “duty” by the body. They have the power to divide over, and over, and over again to produce new cells. During cell expansion, the body will then “instruct” these new cells to transform into another type of cell that's needed by the body. Before this, stem cells are collected from the bone marrow; and yes, it's invasive, complicated, and expensive. Plus, having to find someone with a match who'll willingly go through a procedure to provide you with their stem cells? That'll take up a lot of time and not to mention, emotional stress during an emergency. 7. Owns a purpose-built building in Cyberjaya Image credit: CryoCord Malaysia Getting a building to run a stem cell storage system is not impossible, but CryoCord is meticulous. Therefore, they have a purpose-built facility in Cyberjaya that adheres to Current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) and according to specific guidelines. It has a dual feeder system that's only available in Cyberjaya with its processing and storage dependent on electricity. 8. CryoCord assures business sustainability with a reliable trust fund CryoCord was honoured with the 2019 Malaysia Stem Cell Banking Company of the Year Award by Frost & Sullivan at the Asia-Pacific Best Practices Awards on 14th November 2019 Most of CryoCord’s clients prefer to pay an upfront storage fee for 21 years, instead of by year or month. But some of you might be wondering if it's safe to do that. After all, CryoCord can just close down, run away with the stem cells and your money! But don’t worry! CryoCord is responsible enough by ensuring they're financially sound through diligent planning. Their revenue comes from the services of collecting, processing, and cryopreservation of stem cells. These prepaid fees are placed in a reliable trust fund, so you're assured of their business sustainability. In fact, CryoCord is the first stem cell bank in the region to have its prepaid fees stored in a trust fund. 9. Funds an initiative for the less fortunate called CryoCord Community Transplant Program Puteri Lya was diagnosed with HbE Beta Thalassaemia at the age of one. She was treated using her sister’s cord blood (Image credit: CryoCord Malaysia) CryoCord provides a light at the end of the tunnel for expectant mums whose immediate family members are suffering from blood disorders, such as leukaemia, thalassaemia, or other diseases that can be treated using cord blood stem cells. They're offering eligible mums-to-be complimentary collection, processing, and storage of the cord blood stem cells for the first year. If you're eligible, you’ll need to enrol for the program with the necessary documents. 10. Value-added programmes specifically developed for client’s benefits To show their commitment to their client’s well-being, CryoCord has several value-added programmes to ensure that the stem cells stored are viable during treatment. They have: CryoCare, a plan that covers the cost of getting a matched stem cell sample for the baby, their siblings, or transplantation cost. CryoSure seals the deal with a money-back guarantee if your child’s stem cells are not ready to be used for treatment when needed. CryoFree waives the annual storage fees for the remainder of the 21 years at either of the parents’ passing. CryoMove guarantees against the loss or non-viability of stem cells during the transportation to and from the storage facility. Because Health is Wealth If you're looking for bio-insurance for your baby and family, look no further than CryoCord! Now, you can insure your health through finance. For more information, head over to their website at CryoCord.

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