Cryo-Cell International, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: CCEL - News), one of the largest and most established leaders in stem cell innovation today announced a research and development collaboration agreement with Cryopraxis Cryobiology Ltd., a Brazilian-based global regenerative technology leader and stem cell research company. The partnership will allow Cryopraxis to conduct clinical studies using Cryo-Cell`s proprietary C`elle menstrual stem technology (MenSCs) to identify potential future diagnostic and therapeutic uses in endometriosis and stress urinary incontinence in women.
Endometriosis is a painful condition that affects approximately five million American women. The condition is caused when the lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterus, resulting in scar tissue that causes severe pelvic pain and may lead to infertility. Endometriosis is commonly diagnosed through laparoscopic procedures that are painful and invasive. Additionally, women often face an unusually long delay from the onset of their symptoms to diagnosis, with an average delay of ten years.
This partnership will support an exciting new area of research that will investigate potential benefits of a new and non-invasive way to test for endometriosis. The possible diagnostic test will be based on analyses of the menstrual blood stem cells, which will be collected using Cryo-Cell`s proprietary C`elle system.
"This research will determine if the stem cells found in menstrual blood can accurately provide a diagnosis that is highly precise, and this approach would offer women the added benefit of being both non-invasive and cost-effective," stated Eduardo Cruz, founder & CEO of Cryopraxis Cryobiology Ltd. "Additionally, this new method would potentially allow for earlier diagnosis of the disease, and subsequently enable women to seek relief from their symptoms sooner."
Cryopraxis will also utilize C`elle stem cells to develop potential therapies for female stress urinary incontinence, a condition primarily caused by a deficiency in the muscles that affect urine flow. Since stem cells isolated from menstrual fluid have the ability to contract, research will determine whether injecting the cells into the urethra would restore the contractility of the muscles and sphincters.
"We are honored to partner with Cryopraxis, a global leader in regenerative medicine and stem cell R&D, to explore the utilization and potential commercialization of Cryo-Cell`s proprietary C`elle menstrual stem cell technology in the future development of novel therapies for two debilitating conditions affecting women worldwide," said Mercedes A. Walton, Cryo-Cell`s Chairman and CEO. "Millions of women may potentially benefit from the affordable and non-invasive collection of these valuable stem cells today with C`elle service, for the future possible treatment of these two conditions that are painful, pervasive and costly to treat."
The C`elle service is based on Cryo-Cell`s expansive IP technology portfolio and was introduced in November, 2007 as the first and only service that empowers women to collect and cryopreserve menstrual flow containing undifferentiated adult stem cells for future potential utilization by the donor or possibly first-degree relatives in a manner similar to umbilical cord blood stem cells. Based on the continued success of MenSCs in the research setting, Cryo-Cell is actively expanding its portfolio of research collaborations with world renowned scientists committed to study this novel stem cell population for a broad range of regenerative therapeutic development.
About Cryopraxis Cryobiology Ltd.
Launched in 2001, Cryopraxis is primarily dedicated to stem cell and tissue banking. Cryopraxis is a leader in stem cell, bone marrow, cord blood research and development. Cryopraxis is committed to science, technology, good laboratory practices and provides high quality service and care for its customers. Cryopraxis has the largest cryogenic storage facility in Brazil and one of the largest in the World. It is the largest umbilical cord blood bank in Brazil. The umbilical cord blood is a safe source of stem cells. For more information, visit www.cryopraxis.com.