Cryo-Save Arabia Becomes Middle East’s First Accredited Cord Blood Bank

Pressbox (Press Release) - Dubai-UAE: 23 November, 2009 – Cryo-Save Arabia, the region's leading provider of umbilical cord blood stem cell processing and storage company, today announced it has become the region's first Cord Blood Stem Cell Bank to be accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB).

Based at Dubai Biotechnology and Research Park (DuBiotech), a member of TECOM Investments, Cryo-Save Arabia has received an official notification from AABB for satisfactorily meeting all requirements during an intensive on-site inspection conducted by specially trained AABB assessors.

The AABB inspection establishes that the level of medical, technical and administrative performance within the Cryo-Save Arabia facility meets the standards set by AABB. Its on-site audits extend to areas of cell processing, cryo-preservation records, document control, inspection and testing, training of lab technicians, sample identification and traceability, and verification of cord blood units when released from storage.

Sarah Al-Hajali, Executive Manager, Cryo-Save Arabia, said:
Cryo-Save Arabia has now been officially recognized for the quality of service provided to our customers. Achieving such a prestigious accreditation is an extremely important validation of our processing methods. It is an important minimum baseline for expectant parents comparing cord blood banks.

The AABB is recognized around the world for its commitment to outstanding quality. Cryo-Save Arabia is proud to be recognized for our high service standards and we pledge to continue offering excellent service to all customers.
Established in 1947, the AABB demands the highest quality standards from accredited facilities and performs on-site audits every two years. The AABB Accreditation Programme strives to improve the quality and safety of collecting, processing, testing, distributing and administering blood and blood products.

AABB accreditation is the recognition of choice for blood banking, transfusion medicine, blood management and cellular therapies as it demonstrates an organization's commitment to advanced learning, continuous improvement and innovation by striving to sustain the highest possible level of patient and donor care.

AABB-accredited organizations are recognized by their peers as leaders in their field and as pivotal voices in the dialogue through which consensus-based, voluntary standards are developed and implemented.
Notes to Editors

About Cryo-Save Arabia
Cryo-Save Arabia specializes in the collection, isolation and storage of stem cells from umbilical cord blood. It owns and operates the region’s largest and state-of-the-art private laboratory and cryogenic preservation facility that is dedicated and designed exclusively for the collection, high-quality processing and long-term storage of stem cells found in the umbilical cord blood of newborns.

Cryo-Save Arabia’s facility set-up fully mirrors that of Belgium-based Cryo-Save, the largest, most experienced and trusted newborn cord blood cell bank in Europe. Other than the UAE, Cryo-Save is present in 38 countries and has cord blood stem cell banking facilities in Belgium,Germany, India and France. To-date, over 110,000 parents have chosen Cryo-Save for the storage of their newborns’ cord blood stem cells.

About AABB
Established in 1947, the American Association of Blood Banks is an international association of blood banks, including hospital and community blood centers, transfusion and transplantation services and individuals involved in activities related to transfusion and transplantation medicine. The AABB supports high standards of medical, technical and administrative performance, scientific investigation, clinical application and education. Approximately 2,000 institutions (community and hospital blood banks, hospital transfusion services and laboratories) and 8,000 individuals are members of the AABB, including physicians, scientists, administrators, medical technologists, blood donor recruiters and public relations personnel. Members are located in all 50 states and 80 foreign countries.

About DuBiotech
Established in February 2005, the Dubai Biotechnology and Research Park (DuBiotech) is a leading life sciences cluster in the Middle East, and a member of TECOM Investments. The free zone currently hosts 65 major pharmaceutical firms including Pfizer, Genzyme, Merck-Serono and Amgen, as well as companies specialized in biomedical and scientific devices, biotechnology, cosmesis, and enzymes.
DuBiotech offers flexible laboratory space as one of the key components of the sprawling business park. In addition to hosting a range of assets varying from offices to warehouses and land for manufacturing, the 22 million sq. ft. biotechnology cluster enjoys a strategic location with world-class infrastructure.
A number of free zone-associated incentives such as full ownership, tax-free profit repatriation and business friendly environment that DuBiotech offers makes the cluster an ideal destination for life sciences companies seeking to address the fast growing regional markets.

For further information, please call:

Zeba Ahmad
JiWin
Tel: +9714 361 3590 (direct)
Fax: +9714 388 8001
e-mail: Zeba.Ahmad@jiwin.ae