Biocell Center, a European biotechnology company, has announced its plans to expand its tissue bank and research operations in the United States. The company has officially opened its North American headquarters and laboratory in Medford, Massachusetts, which is located in the biotechnology hub of the Boston area. This expansion will allow Biocell Center to serve families, medical centers, and scientists in the United States, in addition to its existing facilities in Italy and Switzerland.
Governor Deval Patrick expressed his excitement about Biocell Center’s presence in Massachusetts, stating that the Life Sciences Initiative aims to bring jobs and support vital research to the state. He welcomed Biocell Center to the diverse group of pioneering companies that are contributing to Massachusetts’ position as a global leader in stem cell research.
Governor Patrick also highlighted the Massachusetts Life Sciences Initiative, a 10-year, $1 billion commitment to the growth and development of the life sciences industry in the state. This initiative further solidifies Massachusetts’ position as a major economic engine in the field of life sciences.
Biocell Center Corp, a leading scientific institution, has successfully developed an innovative technique for preserving stem cells obtained from amniotic fluid. This breakthrough has paved the way for pregnant women in North America, who undergo amniocentesis for prenatal diagnosis, to now have the option of banking these valuable stem cells. Kate Torchilin, the esteemed CEO of Biocell Center, expressed her excitement about the company’s expansion into Europe and its commitment to providing this service to expectant mothers.
The stem cells derived from amniotic fluid hold immense potential for future medical advancements. They can potentially be utilized in the treatment of a wide range of diseases and for tissue regeneration. Recognizing the significance of this breakthrough, Biocell Center offers families the opportunity to preserve these stem cells upon their request and payment.
To ensure transparency and informed decision-making, families are given the choice to provide written consent for the use of these stem cells in research. This empowers them to actively participate in the progress of scientific exploration.
During the amniocentesis procedure, the initial few milliliters of amniotic fluid, which would typically be discarded, are instead sent to the state-of-the-art Biocell Center laboratory. Here, the stem cells are carefully frozen using liquid nitrogen and stored in the company’s cutting-edge cryo-bank. This advanced preservation method guarantees the long-term viability of the stem cells.
Numerous research studies have demonstrated the pluripotent nature of amniotic stem cells, meaning they have the remarkable ability to differentiate into various types of cells. This characteristic, coupled with their exceptional capacity to proliferate, makes them highly valuable in the field of regenerative medicine.
Dr. Giuseppe Simoni, the esteemed Scientific Director of Biocell Center, emphasized the global significance of stem cell research. He highlighted the current use of stem cells in organ and tissue regeneration within the medical community and expressed optimism about their potential in treating diabetes, pathologic tissue and organ damage, neurodegenerative disorders, hematologic conditions, and other diseases. The future holds immense promise for the application of stem cells in groundbreaking medical breakthroughs.
Dr. Simoni has gained international recognition in the field of medical genetics for his development of a technique to diagnose fetal chromosomal matter in early pregnancy. This method is still widely used as a standard procedure in the field. He also highlighted the potential of stem cells from amniotic fluid, which can be used for both allogenic donations and autologous use, and are often compatible between siblings.
The decision of Biocell Center to establish its North American headquarters in Massachusetts has been praised by state and local officials. They commended the company for choosing Massachusetts, which is known for its world-class academic and medical centers, as an ideal location for life sciences companies. Dr. Susan Windham-Bannister, President & CEO of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, expressed her enthusiasm for the partnership between Massachusetts and the life sciences clusters in Italy.
The growth of Biocell Center in Massachusetts demonstrates the strength of the life sciences cluster in the state and the collaborative efforts of industry stakeholders. Robert Coughlin, President & CEO of MassBio, worked closely with member companies DTZ FHO Partners, Sullivan & Worcester, and Cummings Properties to support Biocell Center’s expansion.
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