Cordlife Explained

Cordlife Group Limited
Type:Public
Location Country:Singapore
Area Served:China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, The Philippines, Malaysia (as Stemlife) and Thailand (under other brands through investment stake)
Industry:Healthcare Services
Products:Cord blood banking, cord lining banking, metabolic screening and other products catering to the mother & child segment
Revenue:S$61.6 million (FY2019)
Num Employees:937 (FY2017)
Homepage:www.cordlife.com

Incorporated in May 2001,[1] Cordlife Group Limited ("Cordlife", together with its subsidiaries, the "Group"), is a consumer health company and one of the leading providers of cord blood and cord lining banking services in Asia. Cordlife has been listed on the mainboard of SGX since March 2012.

The Group owns the largest network of cord blood banks in Asia with full stem cell processing and storage facilities in six key markets namely Singapore, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia and the Philippines. Beyond cord blood and cord lining banking, Cordlife offers a comprehensive suite of diagnostics services, particularly for the mother and child segment, including urine-based newborn metabolic screening, non-invasive prenatal testing, paediatric vision screening and family genetic screening services.

In January 2018, Cordlife acquired HealthBaby Biotech (Hong Kong) Co., Limited, the largest private cord blood bank in Hong Kong. Through its majority-owned subsidiary, Stemlife Berhad in Malaysia, Cordlife controls an indirect stake in Thailand's largest private cord blood bank, Thai Stemlife. Cordlife is also the first Singapore private cord blood bank to provide cord blood and cord lining banking services in Myanmar and Vietnam.

The Group's stem cell processing and storage facilities in Singapore, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia are accredited by AABB[2] (formerly known as the American Association of Blood Banks).

In 2019, the Group has successfully performed 14 cord blood and 1 cord tissue releases to support medical treatment carried out at 6healthcare institutions in 6 countries.

In November 2023, the Ministry of Health of Singapore revealed that Cordlife Group had exposed cryopreserved cord blood units at suboptimal temperatures, damaging the cord blood units belonging to at least 2,150 clients and rendering them unsuitable for stem cell transplant purposes.[3]

History

2019

2018–2015

2014–2012

2011–2008

2001–2007

Products and services

Cord Blood Banking

Cord blood banking[34] refers to the collection at birth, processing, testing, cryopreservation and storage of stem cells from the umbilical cord blood. Cord blood, also called "placental blood", is blood that remains in the umbilical cord and placenta following the birth of a baby and after the umbilical cord is cut. During pregnancy, the umbilical cord functions as a lifeline between mother and child. After a baby's delivery, the cord blood present in the umbilical cord could offer hope for the child or members of the family. Cord blood is a rich source of haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), which are primarily responsible for replenishing blood and regenerating the immune system.

Cordlife's cord blood banking services are available in the following countries: Singapore, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Vietnam.

Cord Lining Banking

Cord lining banking[35] refers to the collection, processing, testing, cryopreservation and storage of the lining from an umbilical cord. After the baby is delivered, the umbilical cord is cut and normally discarded with the placenta as medical waste until researchers became aware of its medical potential.

Cord lining contains both Epithelial (EpSCs) and Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). EpSCs form the soft tissues that connect, support, or surround other structures and organs of the body including cornea, skin, and liver. MSCs are the building blocks of structural tissues of our body such as bone, cartilage, muscle, fibrous tissues and fat.

Cordlife's cord lining banking services are available in the following countries: Singapore, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Vietnam.

Non-invasive Newborn Metabolic Screening

Newborn metabolic screening[36] screens for inborn errors of metabolism from urine samples that can impact the health of newborns. Metabolic disorders are usually not apparent at the time of birth. If left undiagnosed and untreated, the baby can suffer from neurological impairment and physical deformities.

Cordlife has already launched this newborn metabolic screening test (Metascreen) in the following countries: Hong Kong (through HealthBaby and Cordlife Hong Kong), Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia.

Non-invasive Prenatal Testing

Non-invasive prenatal testing ("NIPT") is a relatively new and highly accurate prenatal screening test that analyses foetal DNA in the mother's blood for potential foetal chromosomal abnormalities, including Down syndrome, Edwards syndrome and Patau syndrome. The test can be performed as early as 10th week of gestation through a simple and safe blood draw. NIPT has an accuracy rate of over 99%, much higher than conventional maternal marker-based prenatal tests.[37] Through strategic partnerships with their third-party service providers, Cordlife is offering this services in Singapore, India, Indonesia and the Philippines.

Newborn Genetic Screening

A non-invasive screening for chromosomal abnormalities and gene variants connected to more than 120 genetic disorders in babies using cord blood.

Paediatric Vision Screening

Cordlife offers paediatric vision screening marketed under the brand Eyescreen, a marketing trademark of the Group's wholly owned subsidiary Cordlife Technologies Pte Ltd. Eyescreen is a safe and non-invasive paediatric vision screening service for children aged between six months and six years old. The test detects up to 11 eye conditions such as strabismus (crossed eyes) and amblyopia (lazy eye) using a device with photoscreening technology. Available in Singapore.

International operations

Singapore

Cordlife Singapore[38] is the country's first private cord blood bank and the corporate headquarters of the Group. Situated at A’Posh Bizhub, Yishun, Cordlife Singapore's fully owned 23,000 square feet processing and storage facility has a storage capacity of up to 650,000 cord blood units. Since 2005, Cordlife Singapore has been accredited by AABB. To date, Cordlife Singapore has successfully released 14 cord blood units to its clients.[39] In May 2013, Cordlife Technologies Pte Ltd (“CTPL”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Group, launched cord lining banking service in Singapore. In December 2015, their facility was successfully accredited by FACT-Netcord, a gold standard for cord blood banking. This places them amongst only six cord blood banks in the world to achieve accreditation from both FACT-Netcord and AABB.[40]

Hong Kong

Launched in 2005, Cordlife (Hong Kong) Limited (“Cordlife Hong Kong”) is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Group. Cordlife Hong Kong moved into a new facility at the Hong Kong Science Park in 2010. The AABB & ISO certified facility has a storage capacity for 50,000[41] cord blood and umbilical cord units. In January 2011, Cordlife Hong Kong became the only private cord blood bank in Hong Kong to have released a cord blood unit for autologous (with one's own stem cells) transplantation to aid the treatment of neuroblastoma. In March 2011, Cordlife Hong Kong introduced CellOptima, a patented cord lining stem cell technology to extract Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and Epithelial Stem Cells (EpSCs) from umbilical cord.. In 2014,[42] Cordlife Hong Kong launched Metascreen, a newborn metabolic screening service, in Hong Kong. In January 2018, Cordlife acquired HealthBaby Biotech (Hong Kong) Co., Limited, the largest private cord blood bank in Hong Kong. HealthBaby is accredited by AABB, CAP, FACT and certified by HOKLAS.

Indonesia

Cordlife Indonesia has been providing cord blood processing and cryopreservation service to families in Indonesia since 2003.[43] In October 2007,[44] Cordlife Indonesia opened the first and only DEPKES licensed private cord blood banking facility in Indonesia. Located in Jakarta, Cordlife Indonesia's ISO-certified processing and storage facility has a storage capacity of 30,000[45] cord blood units. Cordlife Indonesia also has branch offices in Medan, Surabaya and Bandung. PT.Cordlife Persada has become the first in Indonesia to join the ranks of world-class cord blood banks as an AABB accredited facility. With Cordlife Indonesia's new AABB accreditation status, Cordlife clients in Indonesia can now opt to have their transplant or infusion done in countries such as United States and Singapore, where only cord blood units (if imported) handled by AABB or its equivalent accredited facilities, will be permitted or preferred for use.

India

Cordlife Group owns a majority interest (99.9%[46]) in Cordlife Sciences (India) Pvt. Ltd., (“Cordlife India”) through its wholly owned subsidiary CS Cell Technologies Pte. Ltd. Established in Kolkata, Cordlife India's cord blood facility has a storage capacity of up to 150,000[47] cord blood units. In July 2013, Cordlife India attained accreditation from AABB, an international, not-for-profit association representing individuals and institutions involved in the field of transfusion medicine and cellular therapies. The facility is also certified by ISO 9001:2008. In 2011,[48] Cordlife India successfully released a stem cell unit for the first ever mixed stem cell transplant in India. Cordlife India introduced an advanced non-invasive newborn metabolic screening test called Metascreen in India in October 2013.

The Philippines

Cordlife Group owns a 99.99% interest in Cordlife Medical Phils., Inc. (“Cordlife Philippines”), through its wholly owned subsidiary CS Cell Technologies Pte. Ltd. Registered with the Department of Health, Cordlife Philippines' ISO-certified and AABB-accredited facility cord blood processing and cryopreservation facility was officially launched in February 2010 with a storage capacity for 20,000[49] cord blood units. In August 2013,[50] Cordlife Philippines officially launched its newest service, umbilical cord lining banking.

Malaysia

Established in 2001 and headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia's largest cord blood banking operator StemLife, is the first stem cell banking and therapeutics company in Malaysia. Stemlife became a majority-owned subsidiary of Cordlife Group Limited in December 2015. StemLife operates its own 24-hour processing, testing, and cryopreservation facility in central Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. They have successfully released 16 cord blood units for transplantation and infusion.

Notes and References

  1. Cordlife Website, Corporate Profile
  2. AABB Website, "AABB Accredited Cord Blood (CB) Facilities "
  3. Web site: Cordlife Group found to have damaged cord blood units of at least 2,150 customers. 30 November 2023. The Straits Times.
  4. Web site: 1QFY2019 Results Presentation. 14 May 2019.
  5. Web site: Designation of new Group CEO. 28 February 2019.
  6. Web site: Healthbaby is First Private Cord Blood Bank in Hong Kong to Achieve FACT Accreditation. 16 April 2019.
  7. Web site: Non-binding proposal with Global Cord Blood Corporation. 4 June 2019.
  8. Web site: Expansion into Bangladesh. 23 August 2019.
  9. Web site: First in Indonesia to achieve AABB accreditation. 6 November 2019.
  10. Web site: Cordlife Group's Subsidiary, HealthBaby Hong Kong, Offers Non-Invasive Newborn Metabolic Screening. 2 May 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180515184940/https://cdn.cordlife.sg/pdf/pressrelease/cgl-launches-metascreen-via-healthbaby.pdf. 2018-05-15. live. 15 May 2018.
  11. Web site: Cordlife Advances Preventive Healthcare in Singapore with the Launch of New Genetic Testing Service. 6 April 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180515185048/https://cdn.cordlife.sg/pdf/cordlife-advances-preventive-healthcare-in-singapore.pdf. 2018-05-15. live. 15 May 2018.
  12. Web site: Cordlife to Become Undisputed Market Leader in Hong Kong with Acquisition of Private Cord Blood Bank HealthBaby. 3 January 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180515185950/http://cordlife.listedcompany.com/newsroom/Cordlife_-_Press_release_03_Jan_2018.pdf. 2018-05-15. live. 15 May 2018.
  13. Web site: Cordlife Group's Subsidiary is First Cord Blood Bank in Philippines to Earn Prestigious AABB Accreditation. 1 July 2017. www.cordlife.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20180515184320/https://www.cordlife.com/news/pdf_pressReleases/2017/aabb-accredited-ph.pdf. 2018-05-15. live. 15 May 2018.
  14. Web site: Cordlife Extends Asia Footprint to Vietnam with Appointment of Marketing Agent. 27 February 2017. www.cordlife.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20180515185006/https://www.cordlife.com/news/pdf_pressReleases/2017/Cordlife_Vietnam_PR_27022017.pdf. 2018-05-15. live. 15 May 2018.
  15. Web site: Cordlife Group Received Accreditation from College of American Pathologists for its Hong Kong and India Subsidiaries. 23 November 2016. www.cordlife.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20180515185048/https://www.cordlife.com/news/pdf_pressReleases/2016/Cordlife_HKSC%20CAP_Accreditation_PR_20161122.pdf. 2018-05-15. live. 15 May 2018.
  16. Web site: Cordlife Appoints Marketing Agent in Myanmar. 21 October 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20180515185016/https://www.cordlife.com/news/pdf_pressReleases/pr_21102016.pdf. 2018-05-15. live. 15 May 2018.
  17. News: CORDLIFE: Becomes one of only 6 dual-accredited private cord blood banks worldwide. 15 January 2016. NextInsight. 15 May 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180515112550/https://www.nextinsight.net/story-archive-mainmenu-60/938-2016/10517-cordlife-is-one-of-6-dual-accredited-private-cord-blood-banks-worldwide. 2018-05-15. live.
  18. Web site: Forbes Asia's 200 Best Under a Billion. . https://web.archive.org/web/20180907110305/https://www.forbes.com/companies/cordlife-group/. 2018-09-07. live. 15 May 2018.
  19. Web site: Frost & Sullivan Stem Cell Company of the Year. https://web.archive.org/web/20170401073821/http://www.frost-apac.com/singaporeawards/popup/cordlife/. 2017-04-01. live. 15 May 2018.
  20. The Straits Times, "Cordlife Group in strategic alliance to provide umbilical cord tissue storage in China ", 3 March 2014
  21. The Straits Times, "Cordlife raises stake in Malaysia-listed firm StemLife to 31.81 per cent ", 9 December 2013
  22. Cordlife Press Release, "Cordlife Partners With China Cord Blood Corporation To Introduce Services Based On Cellular Technologies ", 11 November 2013
  23. Cordlife Sciences (India) Pvt. Ltd, "Cordlife Sciences (India) Pvt. Ltd", 22 February 2021
  24. India Infoline News Service, "Cordlife launches MetaScreen Metabolic Screening Service ", 22 November 2013
  25. Cordlife Press Release, "Cordlife Partners With Golden Meditech To Expand Product Presence In China ", 17 October 2013
  26. Cordlife Press Release, "Cordlife & Thomson Medical Launch The First Umbilical Cord Tissue Banking Services In Singapore ", 9 May 2013
  27. Cordlife Press Release, "Cordlife India Obtains AABB Accreditation "
  28. Cordlife Press Release, "Cordlife Completes Acquisition of Cord Blood and Cord Tissue Banking Businesses and Assets in India, The Philippines, Hong Kong and Indonesia ", 28 June 2013
  29. Cordlife Press Release, "Cordlife's 9M2013 Net Profit More Than Doubles To S$9.7 Million ", 13 May 2013
  30. The Business Times, "Cordlife to buy 10% of China Cord ", 16 August 2012
  31. Bizdaily, "SGX SEES 13 MAINBOARD IPOS IN 2012 ", 21 December 2012
  32. Cordlife Singapore Website, "Cord Blood Release Track Record "
  33. Cordlife IPO Prospectus dated 21 March 2012
  34. Cordlife Website, "About Cord Blood",
  35. Reza, H. M. (2011). Characterization of a novel umbilical cord lining cell with CD227 positivity and unique pattern of P63 expression and function. Stem Cells Reviews and Reports, 7(3), 624-638
  36. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Website, "Newborn Screening "
  37. Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing NIPT Factsheet. National Coalition for Health Professional education in Genetics. November 2012.
  38. The Business Times, "Cordlife's CEO runs a tight ship ", 27 November 2013
  39. Web site: Cordlife Release Track Record. www.cordlife.com/sg. https://web.archive.org/web/20180515183823/https://www.cordlife.com/sg/release-track-record. 2018-05-15. live. 15 May 2018.
  40. Web site: Cordlife Group Limited Annual Report 2016. www.cordlife.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20180521010002/http://cordlife.listedcompany.com/misc/ar2016/index.html. 2018-05-21. live. 15 May 2018.
  41. Web site: Cordlife Hong Kong. parentsguidecordblood.org.
  42. Metascreen Hong Kong, Profile
  43. Asia Bio Tech Industry Watch, "CyGenics Asian Healthcare Presence Expanded in Indonesia ", 2006
  44. Emerald Emerging Markets Case Studies, “One life, one chance”: Cordlife Sciences India Pvt. Ltd. Preserving the precious gift
  45. Departemen Kesehatan Republik Indonesia, "Minister of Health Opens Umbilical Cord Blood Bank Cordlife Indonesia ", 5 October 2007
  46. Web site: Cordlife Group Limited Annual Report 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20180521010002/http://cordlife.listedcompany.com/misc/ar2016/index.html. 2018-05-21. live. 15 May 2018.
  47. SBWire, "CordLife India Offers Most Advanced Cord Blood Facility with CordLife Quality Guarantee ", 10 July 2012
  48. Express Healthcare, "India’s First Successful Mixed Stemcell Transplant From CordLife ", June 2011
  49. PhilStar, "Saving the cells that count ", 16 March 2010
  50. Smart Parenting Philippines, "Cordlife Philippines Launches Affordable Umbilical Cord Banking Services ", 3 September 2013

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