The inception of CBR traces back to the University of Arizona School of Medicine, where Dr. David Harris played a pivotal role in establishing the first cord blood banking program. Partially sponsored by the American Cancer Society, this program, initiated in 1992, involved the collection, processing, and storage of the inaugural umbilical cord blood stem cells—those belonging to Dr. Harris's son—for Cryo-Cell International. In February 1995, Cord Blood Registry was officially incorporated in California by Tom Moore, who forged a partnership with Dr. Harris and the laboratory at the University of Arizona to handle the processing and storage of cord blood for CBR Systems, Inc.

The trajectory of CBR took a notable turn in September 2012 when the private equity firm GTCR acquired the company. Under the new leadership of CEO Geoff Crouse, founder Tom Moore continued his involvement as CBR's executive chairman. In August 2015, GTCR relinquished ownership of CBR to AMAG Pharmaceuticals, with Todd Van Horn assuming the role of the company's General Manager.

Further developments unfolded in June 2018, as AMAG Pharmaceuticals divested CBR to GI Partners, another private equity firm. This transaction coincided with GI Partners' acquisition of California Cryobank, leading to the integration of Cord Blood Registry with California Cryobank's FamilyCord brand under the unified Cord Blood Registry name. At this juncture, Peter Bawin assumed the role of the brand's general manager, marking a new phase in CBR's ongoing commitment to safeguarding and advancing the field of cord blood and tissue preservation.

Generate Life Sciences has achieved a significant milestone by successfully enrolling 200,000 families in its Family Health Registry. This initiative, facilitated by Cord Blood Registry (CBR®), the newborn stem cell preservation bank under Generate, establishes connections between families who have stored newborn stem cells with CBR and ongoing clinical trials focused on researching the therapeutic applications of these cells.

In addition to reaching this enrollment milestone, it has been revealed that approximately 20%, or 36,000 immediate family members, of those enrolled in the program could potentially benefit from existing or emerging treatments that leverage the stored stem cell units.

Dr. Jaime Shamonki, Chief Medical Officer at Generate, emphasized the company's commitment to simplifying the utilization of newborn stem cells for families involved with CBR. He stated, "The Family Health Registry was created to make it easy for families to connect with relevant stem cell trials. In many ways, this program is a good example of how we strive to go beyond simply storing the cells — we're aiming to increase access to regenerative medicine and provide our families with the tangible benefits of this precious resource."

Newborn stem cells, encompassing hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) from cord blood and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from cord tissue, are being extensively researched for various therapeutic applications, from cancer treatments to regenerative medicine.

With over 200 active clinical trials currently underway for newborn stem cells, the Family Health Registry plays a pivotal role in facilitating the exploration and enrollment of families into these trials. It also serves as an information hub, providing families with timely updates on investigative therapies and other developments in regenerative medicine relevant to them.

One distinctive feature of the Family Health Registry is its long-term data collection, offering insights into the progression of diseases within these families over time. This valuable information enables Generate to better understand disease trajectories, identify optimal treatment options, and pinpoint gaps in the existing standard of care. Generate has utilized this data to initiate and sponsor clinical trials, such as the Longitudinal Umbilical Stem cell monitoring and Treatment REsearch (LUSTRE®) study. LUSTRE focuses on conditions like cerebral palsy and autism, involving nearly 3,000 participating families and actively recruiting additional participants to further advance the understanding of newborn stem cells for families.

Cord Blood Registry (CBR) is a pioneering and innovative approach to healthcare that has been gaining traction in recent years. Stem cells, specifically those found in umbilical cord blood, hold immense potential for medical treatments and research. CBR plays a crucial role in preserving these valuable stem cells, offering families the opportunity to secure a biological insurance policy for the future.

CBR is a private bank that specializes in the collection, processing, and storage of umbilical cord blood stem cells. Cord blood, which is rich in hematopoietic stem cells, can be harvested from the umbilical cord and placenta after childbirth. These stem cells have the unique ability to transform into various types of cells, making them a valuable resource for potential medical treatments.

    Collection: After a baby is born, the healthcare provider collects the cord blood, a painless and non-invasive process that takes only a few minutes.

    Processing: CBR processes the collected cord blood to extract and concentrate the stem cells while removing red blood cells and plasma. This ensures the stem cells remain viable during storage.

    Cryopreservation: The processed stem cells are then cryogenically preserved at extremely low temperatures, suspending their biological activity until they are needed.

    Medical Insurance for the Family: Cord blood banking with CBR provides families with a unique form of medical insurance. In the event of a future medical need, the stored stem cells can be utilized for various treatments, including regenerative medicine and transplant procedures.

    Compatibility: The chances of finding a suitable match for a transplant are higher when using one's own cord blood or that of a family member. This minimizes the risk of rejection and other complications.

    Advancements in Medicine: By banking cord blood with CBR, families contribute to the advancement of medical research. These stored stem cells can be used for clinical trials and studies, potentially leading to breakthroughs in treating various diseases.

    Peace of Mind: CBR offers families peace of mind by providing a secure and reliable storage solution for their baby's cord blood. Knowing that these stem cells are readily available if needed in the future can alleviate the stress associated with potential health concerns.

CBR adheres to strict regulatory standards and is accredited by relevant authorities. This ensures that the process of cord blood banking is conducted with the highest levels of safety and quality.

Cord Blood Registry (CBR) stands at the forefront of medical innovation, offering families the opportunity to safeguard their health and contribute to the advancement of medical science. With the potential to treat a variety of diseases and conditions, cord blood banking with CBR is a forward-thinking investment in the well-being of both the individual and society as a whole. As medical research continues to progress, the stored stem cells may prove to be a key resource in unlocking new possibilities in healthcare.