International Medical Center for Processing and Cryopreservation of Biomaterials (IMCB, MOEX: GEMA) has upgraded and expanded its cryostorage facility to accommodate 25,000 additional samples.
IMCB (Gemabank) is a biotech company, part of the Artgen Biotech Group (MOEX: ABIO). It’s activities include custom storage of stem cells and the development of gene therapy drugs for treating blood and immune system disorders.
There are 12 banks for personal storage of umbilical cord blood in Russia. Gemabank occupies a leading position in the number of samples in storage, about 40% of the Russian market. Every year, approximately 600 thousand cord blood samples are stored worldwide.
Gemabank’s cryostorage is automated, has a refueling system, constant temperature and liquid nitrogen level monitoring systems, can operate autonomously without power supply and refueling for 10 days. If necessary, the tanks can be refilled manually beyond this period. Gemabank is the only bank in Russia with this level of sample protection.
According to Hemabank’s Director Alexander Prikhodko: “Having spare space and infrastructure for reliable cryogenic storage of biological samples is one of the essential tasks of all cord blood banks. Gemabank has the largest and most modern cryostorage facility in Russia, which currently stores more than 42,000 samples. Additional space will allow Gemabank to plan its operations for the next 8 to 10 years. This approach allows us to position IMCB, PJSC as the most reliable cord blood bank for our clients.”
An important indicator in the cord blood preservation industry is the demand for preserved samples for transplantation.
The demand for samples from Viacord, one of the largest cord blood banks in the US and globally, is 1/1000. This bank stores about 500 thousand samples and has performed more than 500 transplantations.
The current demand for Gemabank’s samples is 1/600. Throughout its operation, 61 samples were released to treat patients with diseases such as leukemia, neuroblastoma, cerebral palsy, autism, etc.