ThermoGenesis' stem cell harvesting system launched by GE Healthcare

By Lisa Kerner

Erie, Pa., March 15 - ThermoGenesis Corp. said GE Healthcare has introduced the company's AXP AutoXpress Platform (AXP Platform), an automated, functionally closed, sterile system that harvests stem cells from cord blood with high yield and high throughput, replacing manual methods.

GE Healthcare acquired the global exclusive distribution rights for the AXP Platform from ThermoGenesis in October 2005 as well as the non-exclusive distribution rights for the BioArchive System, a computer-controlled cryopreservation and storage system for cord blood.

ThermoGenesis estimates there are 200 cord blood banks operating in 44 countries collecting several hundred thousand cord blood units annually, according to a company news release.

"A critical step in cord blood banking is the reduction of the collected volumes of cord blood (up to 170 ml/each) into a final volume of 20 ml with minimal loss of the mononuclear cell populations, which include all the stem cells," chairman and chief executive officer Phil Coelho said in the release.

"Reproducible volume reduction, without significant loss of stem cells, is critical in obtaining the precise freezing profile essential for post thaw stem cell viability."

Studies demonstrate that the AXP Platform can collect 97% of the mononuclear cells (MNC) from cord blood, giving cord blood banks the benefit of consistently high recoveries of MNC without the need to process cord blood in labor-intensive, expensive clean rooms, officials said.

ThermoGenesis, located in Rancho Cordova, Calif., develops and manufactures automated blood processing systems and disposables that enable the manufacture, preservation and delivery of cell and tissue therapy products.

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