As science continues to make advances in research, constantly adding to the list of acute and chronic diseases that can be successfully treated with stem cells, Royan is dedicated to the preservation of life for you and your family. Your baby’s umbilical cord blood stem cells hold the potential to fight a range of diseases and we are here to help you collect, safely store and gain access to those cells should a life-threatening condition arise.

Royan Stem Cell Technology was founded in 2005 by Royan Institute and Lidco Company and has been successfully banking umbilical cord blood cells since then. Our technological superiority gives you the quality assurance you need in order to know that you have chosen a credible organization with which to store your child’s cord blood.

Blood in the umbilical cord contains hematopoietic stem cells. Following the birth of a baby, the umbilical cord usually is discarded along with the placenta. However, it is now known that blood retrieved from the umbilical cord is a rich source of stem cells. Stem cells are unspecialized blood cells that produce all other blood cells, including blood-clotting platelets and red and white blood cells. Like donated bone marrow, unbilical cord blood can be used to treat various genetic disorders that affect the blood and immune system. The blood is currently being used to treat malignant bone marrow diseases like leukemia and lymphoma, as well as congenital disorders like Fanconi's anemia, Wiskott Aldrich syndrome and Severe Combined Immune Deficiency (the boy in the bubble syndrome). Non-malignant diseases such as Severe Aplastic Anemia, thalassemia and sickle cell anemia are also benefiting from therapies using cord blood.

Expectant parents can make arrangements before the birth of their child to have their baby’s cord blood collected immediately after birth and stored by Royan Cord Blood Bank for their own use. Once the cord blood arrives at the laboratory it is entered onto our secure database and then processed and tested to ensure that it is safe to be given to a patient.

The tests performed on each unit of cord blood include:

HLA Typing

Every cord blood donation is HLA typed. HLA typing is a test that measures antigens that determine whether donor stem cells are compatible for transplant into another person.

Microbiology
A sample of the cord blood unit is tested for bacterial and fungal contamination, as this could be harmful to a potential transplant patient.

The cord blood unit is processed by removing the red blood cells and plasma. This leaves us with the vital blood stem cells required for transplantation. A cryopreservative (DMSO) is added to protect the blood stem cells while they are frozen. The cord blood unit is then frozen and stored in liquid nitrogen containers which are specifically designed for cord blood units.

Founded in 2005

Registry Number

255736

Approved by Ministry of Health in 2006

Shareholders

Royan Research Institute (51%)

Lidco (49%)

General Manager

M. Zarrabi, M.D.

Management Board

H. Gourabi, Ph.D.

K. Ataee

A. Vosogh, M.D.

Laboratory Director

S. Abroun, M.D., Ph.D.

Quality Control Director

T. Zandieh, Ph.D.

Medical Director

N. Aghdami, M.D., Ph.D.