RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif., Aug. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- ThermoGenesis Corp. today announced the installation of a BioArchive System at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center Cord Blood Stem Cell Bank.
Philip Coelho, Chairman & CEO of ThermoGenesis Corp. noted that "We are very pleased that MD Anderson has chosen our BioArchive System as a means of processing, cryopreserving and archiving their cord blood stem cell units as they are one of the world's most accomplished medical centers treating patients with cancers. Under the direction of Dr. Elizabeth Shpall, Director of the Cord Blood Bank and Dr. John McMannis Cord Blood Bank Laboratory Director, M. D. Anderson is pioneering clinical trials that explore innovative strategies to treat hematologic cancers and numerous genetic diseases with cord blood stem cells. This institution ranks first in the number of grants awarded nationwide by the National Cancer Institute for treating lung, bladder, prostate, ovarian, head and neck, pancreatic and endometrial cancers and leukemia. Especially important is that the inventory collected from Houston's birthing hospitals will benefit not only M. D. Anderson's patients, but will add critically needed ethnic diversity to the Nation's supply of high quality cord blood stem cell units."
Dr. Shpall commented, "The mission of M. D. Anderson is to eliminate cancer in Texas, the nation, and the world. Cord blood stem cells provide us a new and impressive means of treating cancers, especially leukemia and lymphoma. The BioArchive System represents state-of-the-art technology for the processing, storage and retrieval of cord blood stem cell units and its use illustrates the commitment to cGMP by M. D. Anderson. In addition, as recent journal articles have reported that stem cells in cord blood are able to be differentiated into cells of the brain, bone, heart and liver, we are interested in researching the treatment of degenerative diseases like Parkinson's, diabetes and myocardial infarction with these stem cells."
The BioArchive System is a computer-driven robotic system to allow users to cryopreserve and archive up to 3,626 units of blood components in -196 degrees C liquid nitrogen. The BioArchive System can cryopreserve, archive and retrieve samples within liquid nitrogen without exposing the samples to detrimental transient warming events (TWE), which can reduce cell viability.
Regulatory Status
The BioArchive System is a Class II blood and blood component freezer exempt from the pre-market notification procedures. The BioArchive System has potential applications involving archiving, storing, managing and retrieving other kinds of biological specimens, that may include stem cells, dendritic cells, T-cells, cell lines, sperm cells, eggs, heart valves, corneas, virus samples, biopsy samples and other blood, tissue and saliva samples. The BioArchive System is currently intended for storage of blood and blood components. Additional indications for use would require U.S. FDA clearance or approval.
About THERMOGENESIS CORP.
After extensive research, ThermoGenesis Corp.'s newly introduced technology platforms lead the world in their ability to produce biological products from single units of blood. Umbilical cord blood banks are utilizing the Company's BioArchive System as an enabling technology for the cryogenic archiving of hematopoietic stem cell units. The CryoSeal(R) FS System is used to prepare autologous hemostatic and adhesive surgical sealants from patient blood. The CryoSeal FS System is currently undergoing a Phase III clinical trial and is not currently sold in the U.S. ThermoGenesis Corp. has been a leading supplier of state-of-the-art Ultra-Rapid Blood Plasma Freezers and Thawers to hospitals and blood banks since 1992.
The statements contained in this release which are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, certain delays beyond the company's control with respect to market acceptance of new technologies and products, delays in testing and evaluation of products, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
ThermoGenesis Corp.CONTACT: Kevin Simpson of ThermoGenesis Corp., +1-916-858-5100
Web site: http://www.thermogenesis.com/
