India's Chennai based Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute (SRMC&RI), and Asia CRYO-CELL Private Limited’s LifeCell have announced a joint venture towards establishing an exclusive stem cell transplant facility in the city. The umbilical cord blood stem cells are reported to hold great promise with regard to treating a variety of diseases. The focus of the new center will be on stem cell transplants only. LifeCell can bring into the country umbilical cord stem cell banking, as it already owns a family cord blood bank.
LifeCell will also bring in its expertise with regard to stem cell therapy and banking, while the medicare infrastructure will be provided by SRMC. As many as 1,000 expectant parents have been enrolled by LifeCell for cord blood stem cells banking.The SRMC's Registrar Ms. Radha Venkatachalam has expressed happiness over the fact that the cutting edge technology is being pioneered by the SRMC in India. This will also contribute towards ensuring better cures for serious ailments. An investment of Rs. 15 crores will be made in the facility which is expected to become operational by June 2006. Oncological and haematological ailments will receive focus in the early stages, which will be expanded to other areas over a period of time. A commitment has been given by LifeCell towards investing between Rs. 40 crores and Rs. 50 crores towards research, cell banking, and therapy.
For further information with regard to annual storage fees and enrolment, you may log onto www.Lifecellindia.com or call 044-52165716, or the round the clock toll free number 16004155323.
