Stem Cells

• Future Health Technologies has acquied formal accreditation as a Human Tissue Bank from the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency MHRA (this encompasses ISO, cGMP kai GLP principles). It also holds a 3 years substantive license from UK Human Tissue Authority (HTA 22503) according to the new EU Tissue and Cells Directives (2004, 2006). Future Health is the first private cord blood stem cells laboratory of its kind, to have this accreditation in the UK. In December 2009 awarded the ISO 9001 accreditation for quality management.

•Purpose designed cord blood collection bag enclosed in an individual packaging with two needles for safety. Needles have increased diameter to maximize the volume collected.

• Cord blood transported in thermal shipping box for protection against adverse temperature conditions (IATA ka> UN3373) by couriers approved for medical samples.

• Detailed microbiological and qualitative testing of the cord blood sample.

• Maternal blood tests at birth including PCR (NAT) testing, so no follow up screen at 6 months.

• Processing in purpose built sterile Clean Rooms in laboratories owned by the FHT (grade B Clean Rooms and grade A laminar flow work areas).
 
• Single use closed system processing kit with the latest technological processing equipment ( the sample never comes in contact with atmospheric air).

• Future Health stores in special laminated stem cell cryopreservation bags with multiple compartments (never store in vials, which have been known to cause problems in long term storage).

• The laminated stem cells cryopreservation bags consist of two independent chambers, permitting the multiple use of each sample.

• Secondary protective over wrap bag (double bag system according to guidelines).

• Metallic sample identification bar coded label ensures the positive identification of each sample.

•Each sample is placed in a metal outer storage canister for enhanced mechanical protection.

• The sample is stored in vapor phase of liquid nitrogen (never store in liquid nitrogen) for protection against the possibility of cross contamination of samples.

• Cryostorage tanks that are capable of operating without electricity.

• 24 / 7 recording of storage condition parameters.

• All client information handled according to the UK Data Protection Act.

• 24 / 7 security system and security personnel on site.

• External quality control by the Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust.

• Detailed parent’s storage agreement for long term storage.

• Future Health specializes only in the processing and storing of cord blood stem cells.

SEE MORE ON http://www.futurehealthbiobank.com/