The First Automated, Functionally Closed Sterile System for the Processing of Cord Blood
06 March 2007
GE Healthcare has introduced the AXP AutoXpress™ Platform (AXP Platform), the first automated, functionally closed, sterile system that harvests stem cells from umbilical cord blood samples with high yield and at high throughput. The AXP Platform, developed by ThermoGenesis Corp (Nasdaq: KOOL), is designed to bring automation and precision to cord blood processing, which is today performed using manual methods.
A critical step in the processing of cord blood is to reduce the collected volume (up to 150ml) down to 20ml with high stem-cell recovery. Reproducible volume reduction is critical for enabling standardization of the precise freezing profile, which in turn is essential for maintaining stem cell viability.
"The AXP Platform maximizes yield and reproducibility while both improving the safety of stem-cell collection, and decreasing the time needed to process cord blood samples. Studies demonstrate that the AXP Platform can collect 97% of MonoNuclear Cells (MNC) from cord blood", says Nigel Darby, vice-president of research and development, GE Healthcare Bio-Sciences.
In October 2005 GE Healthcare gained the global exclusive distribution rights for the AXP Platform from Thermogenesis, as well as the non-exclusive distribution rights for the BioArchive™ System, a computer-controlled cryopreservation and storage system for cord blood.
The automated AXP Platform can process up to six samples in 40 minutes, providing higher throughput. Manual methods typically require 90 to 120 minutes for one sample. The system has been performance tested by the National Cord Blood Program at the New York Blood Center, which is now implementing a program to replace their manual processing method with the AXP Platform.
Philip Coelho, CEO of Thermogenesis adds, "The clinical data from cord blood transplants makes it clear that the probability of patient engraftment and survival increases with the number of viable MNC transplanted. Providing enough cord blood units containing high concentrations of viable MNC for all patients in need, especially for heavier adults, has been difficult using manual processes, which leave 20% to 30% of the MNC behind. Cord blood banks that adopt the AXP Platform will benefit, not only from recoveries of 97% of the MNC (leaving only 3% behind), but also from using an automated and functionally closed system that removes the need for processing cord blood in expensive, labor-intensive, airlock-equipped clean rooms."
