India to set up largest public cord blood bank

November 25, 2013

According to experts, over 70 percent of patients in need of a stem cell transplant are unable to find a match due to lack of bone marrow donors. Also, the inventory of donated umbilical cord blood units is negligible. Realising the need for a repository, LifeCell – India’s first stem cell banking company – has planned to set up the country’s largest public cord blood bank. The Chennai-based company plans to have an inventory of 10,000 units that can be used for treatment during serious medical conditions. (Business Standard)