Singapore: China Cord Blood Corporation (CCBC) and US-based Cord Blood Registry, stem cell companies, have collaborated to share data on cord blood collection, processing and storage to advance international standards.

The companies will work together to develop a family disease registry for CCBC's clients in China and jointly support newborn stem cell-related clinical trials in the US and China.

"CBR and CCBC are both committed to bringing forward clinical applications of newborn stem cells for a host of conditions that could benefit from regenerative medicine," said Mr Geoffrey Crouse, President and Chief Executive Officer, CBR. "Through this collaboration, we will be able to share our expertise and resources and improve mutual access to crucial research in China and the US. This first of its kind partnership is a significant step toward raising global awareness of the importance of newborn cord blood hematopoietic stem cell research."

Mr Kam Yuen, chairman, CCBC commented, "This memorandum brings together two cord blood banks that collectively serve approximately 1 million clients and represents the most significant joint effort to date in the global cord blood banking industry. Through this collaboration, we hope to create new possibilities to service clients and patients, and provide greater support to the stem cell clinical research communities in both China and the US."