There can be few moments more miraculous than the birth of a baby. On the morning of the 9th of September this year Kyra Pawlik was born at the Park Lane Clinic. Kyra’s birth was perfectly normal, except for one thing. Within minutes of her delivery a needle was inserted into the umbilical cord and the blood was drawn.

Most new parents will do just about anything to give their children the best possible start in life. They will take out life assurance policies, start savings accounts and even pre-pay to get them into the best possible schools. But now some parents are taking out special medical insurance right at the moment of birth

A few months before her arrival Kyra’s parents, Shana and Marcu, made a decision that could one day save her life. They decided to save the blood from the umbilical cord and put it in storage for the next two decades.

Dr Theo Kopenhager (Obstetrician): ‘I think that it’s potentially a brilliant insurance policy. The potential uses for it are quite startling. It’s almost not science fiction to talk about reconstruction of spines and hearts – and that is in the not at ? all too near distant future. Superman might fly again.’

Obstetrician, doctor Theo Kopenhager is talking about the stem cells in the umbilical cord blood. Many believe that these miracle cells have the potential to change the face of medicine. For babies like Kyra this is bio-insurance, 21st Century style.

Stephen Purcell (Pathologist – Cryoclinic): ‘It’s an ideal opportunity to bank cells cheaply and effectively.’

Pathologist Stephen Purcell is the medical adviser of Cryoclinic, a European company that stores cord blood stem cells. Stem cells are like seed cells because they form the building blocks of our blood, organs, tissue and our immune system. Everyone has stem cells – even mature adults. They not only form the organs and tissue, they can also repair them.

Stephen: ‘Their repair function has been demonstrated even in the human brain.’

Already stem cell therapy is saving lives in the treatment of a variety of genetic blood disorders and malignant conditions like leukaemia.

Shana and Marcus are happy to fork out the R9600.00 that it costs to harvest and store the stem cells for the next 21 years. If Kyra ever needs them she won’t have to hunt for a matching donor.

Marcus Pawlik (Parent): ‘We all should try to give the best start to our children and this is actually better than any other life insurance or health insurance you can get.’

It could also help any other member of her family who needs a blood or bone marrow transplant.

Shana Pawlik (Parent): ‘I believe that there is about 60% chance that my other daughter will be a match, whereas if she had to use our bone marrow it would be far less.’

Within half an hour of her birth, Kyra’s stem cells are packed in a temperature-controlled cylinder to be flown to Belgium. At the lab in Belgium, the technician will separate the stem cells from the rest of the blood, put in them a cryo-preservative and then place them in storage, where they will stay until they are needed.

Stephen: ‘They are frozen and they are stored at minus 196 degrees Celsius. That is the temperature at which there is meant to be no metabolic activity within a cell, theoretically enabling those cells to be immortal.’

Those offering the service say that it could help to save a child’s life. Others say that it is just exploiting parents’ fears. Some medical professionals are concerned that parents are being coerced through guilt into buying something that they only have a remote possibility of needing or using successfully.

Given her family medical history, the chances of Kyra or anyone in her immediate family ever needing the cells for cancer or blood disorders are remote, but Stephen believes that it is a worthwhile investment.

Stephen: ‘We are going to see stem cell therapy being used for wider indications and I think that ultimately this is going to change the face of medicine.’

While most of the scientific focus is on the immature cord cells, adult stem cells are already acting as lifesavers – especially in the field of cancer treatment – and the beauty is that you can use your own.

Stephen Marrs (South African Blood Services): ‘Moses, we are going to give your stem cells back today.’

Stephen Marrs is a medical technician at the South African Blood Services. Stephen is about to administer a life saving infusion of stem cells to a leukaemia patient. Twenty-four hours earlier Moses was given a very strong dose of chemotherapy to kill off the cancerous cells in his body. The dose is so toxic, it is practically lethal and without the stem cells he would probably die.

Marrs: ‘There are no white cells for defence of the body, very little red cells and very little platelets. So the patient could bleed and the patient is at risk of infection.’

This is what is known as stem cell rescue.

Marrs: ‘With the re-infusion of the stem cells or the transplant of the stem cells to the patient, the stem cells migrate to the bone marrow and produce the red cells, the white cells and the platelets that are required.’

The stem cells literally rescue the patient from death. Within weeks Moses should have developed a new, fully functioning immune system and be free of malignant cells. This procedure is seen as a last resort because of the high risk to the patient’s life. But there are some pioneers who are taking stem cell rescue beyond cancer treatment.

Graeme West (MS Patient): ‘This whole stem cell transplant thing I had … the first one was done about three years ago in the States and about 200 or 300 have been done worldwide. And it is a miracle in my opinion… a medical miracle.’

Graeme West had an aggressive form of Multiple Sclerosis – an incurable degenerative disease. Graeme was first diagnosed in May 2001; by October he was in a wheelchair.

Graeme: ‘Your white blood cells have become confused and they believe that your body is an invader, so the white blood cells are attacking your own bits and pieces.’

Dr Dominic Giampaolo (Neurologist): ‘Graeme had numerous lesions – specifically in that area of the part called the cerebellum and the brain stem – specifically a large one in the middle of his brain stem where all the nerve fibres come together, and that is what left him so incapacitated.’

Doctor Dominic Giampaolo was Graeme’s neurologist. At first Dominic tried every kind of known treatment. Nothing helped and his condition continued to deteriorate. They decided to try a revolutionary procedure: stem cell rescue.

Dominic: ‘We did have the technology in South Africa to do it. It hadn’t been done for any neurological disorder or multiple sclerosis so I said, ‘Sure, but you must understand that there is a possibility that you might die from the procedure.’ And there were only a handful that had been done for Multiple Sclerosis in the world at the time.’

Graeme: ‘And I said, ‘Look, let’s do it anyway, because I don’t want to carry on living the way I am living and I’m prepared to take my chances.’ ‘

Of the few hundred multiple sclerosis sufferers who have used stem cells treatment, eight percent died from the procedure. What Graeme and Dominic were about to do was radical and experimental – a last resort. It is a similar procedure to the one used on cancer patients.

Dominic: ‘Basically give ?? we take the stem cells which are your pro-genitors or primary cells that we then divide up to all the different blood constituents. We take that out and then give you a chemo-therapeutic dose that would normally ablate you and get rid of all your white cells and red cells and platelets.’

Derek: ‘Graeme, the question is : what would have happened if you had had the chemo without the stem cells?’

Graeme: ‘Then you die. You have to have the stem cells because the chemo has killed all the white blood cells. The whole procedure would simply not be viable if there was not some way of regenerating the white blood cells.’

Within a couple of weeks of the treatment Graeme’s system had been kick started by the stem cells and began to grow new white blood cells, and a whole new immune system.

Graeme: ‘The day after they did the chemo, my mind cleared. It was amazing. I thought it was fantastic. Of course then you are very, very ill and, in my case, it was about four, four and half weeks; extremely ill with the side effects of having no immune system. But then I was fine. And after I got home from hospital, I think was home for another week, a week and a half and then went back to work.’

As Graeme’s body began to heal, the lesions in his brain began to disappear. For the past two years check-ups have shown that he is free of the disease. After 18 months of intensive physiotherapy he is able to walk on crutches and even drive a car. But research is already advancing far beyond stem cell rescue.

Stem cells hold out the promise of actually renewing damaged cells and tissues at specific sites within the body. So if the scientists can get it right, diseases like Alzheimers, Parkinson’s, diabetes, strokes, burns, heart diseases and even spinal cord injuries could be treated using these versatile cells.

Derek: ‘So that’s the idea, they would be programmed to head for your heart muscle, your spinal cord?’

Dominic: ‘Or, if you have developed a type of cancer and they want to wipe out a certain type of organ, you could regenerate the same type of tissue by a stem cell that was kept for you or harvested when you were born.’

Experiments on rats have shown that damaged spinal cords infused with stem cells began to regenerate new tissue and repair the spines. What sounds like science fiction is already happening. According to Stephen Purcell scientists are starting to manipulate human stem cells and successfully use them to regenerate certain tissues.

Stephen: ‘We have an ability to provide clinicians with both cartilage and bone, and soon we will have the ability to provide tissue with human heart muscle cells.’

This means that doctors can now use stem cells to repair damaged joints and, soon, treat chronic heart conditions.

Although stem cell research is in its infancy and the costs of treatment are exorbitant, many people are willing to take the risk. They see it as their sole chance of survival.

Steve Loeb (ALS Sufferer): ‘Right now I have my back against the wall and there is basically nothing the medical fraternity can do for me, so I see this as a miracle that is about to happen.’

On the morning that we spoke to Steve Loeb he was about to fly overseas to get an infusion of stem cells that he hopes will save his life. The thirty-seven-year-old father of two has Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis or ALS, an untreatable form of motor neuron disease.

Steve: ‘Basically it’s a wasting of the muscles. My muscles will shrink and disappear. They no longer get stimulated or nourished by the brain.’

Steve was diagnosed about six months ago. Since then his degeneration has been rapid. His speech has become slurred, he has difficulty swallowing and his limbs are weakening. At night he suffers from severe and painful cramping in his legs. Without treatment Steve will soon be totally paralysed; eventually he will not be able to breathe on his own. It has had a devastating effect on him and his young family.

Derek: ‘How have Jessica and Gabriel handled it?’

Steve: ‘They’ve been amazing. They know what is wrong with their daddy.’

A few months ago his wife, Darice, found an American medical research company on the net. The company claims it has had some miraculous results while conducting research using donor cord blood stem cells.

Steve: ‘They’ve had phenomenal results with breast cancer and heart disease and blood disorders and with ALS they have treated a few people and there have been some remarkable recoveries.’

The company claims that their cellular therapy is capable of regenerating and repairing body tissues. All they do is infuse a concentration of selected stem cells into the system. Then, they claim, the cells and the body do the rest.

Steve: ‘They haven’t said it’s a cure or how long the recovery will last, because they don’t know. They basically have got to use what the trial gave behind them.??’

Steve had to raise about $21 000.00 or R150 000 to pay for the infusion. The therapy has not yet been approved by the Food and Drug Administration of America. The Company refused to speak to Carte Blanche or allow Steve to take pictures of the procedure.

Derek: ‘Are some companies jumping on the bandwagon and getting rich by making false promises?’

Dominic: ‘I think if you are desperate and there is any slight possibility, you will go to the nth degree to try anything that might help you or prevent suffering and therefore I think, yes, it can be viewed as preying on the desperate. But without it we would never get anywhere.’

And science would make no progress. Steve received the infusion two weeks ago. He says that already some of his symptoms – like the painful cramps – are easing. He won’t know until a few months’ time whether the progress of the disease has actually been halted. Despite, or maybe because of, the risks being taken, stem cells are making big news.

Dominic: ‘When you go to major congresses in the US or in Europe it always occupies a major section on their central platforms for discussion and therefore stem cells are at the forefront and gaining momentum.’

Overseas thousands of people are already storing or donating cord blood. In this country cord blood collection could become as routine as it is now unusual. Public banks will offer a cheap and accessible source of these potentially miraculous cells, making them available to everyone.

Cryo-Save India adds another stone to its stem cell banking service by receiving the prestigious AABB accreditation

In a country lacking stringent regulations to govern the audit checks on the authenticity and reliability of the processing and storage of stem cells, Cryo-Save India, subsidiary of Europe’s leading family stem cell bank, has proved its quality assurance by receiving the prestigious AABB accreditation.

The American Association of Blood Banks (“AABB”) accreditation follows an intensive onsite assessment by specially trained AABB assessors and establishes that the level of technical and administrative performance within the facility meets or exceeds the standards set by AABB. It qualifies the viability of the sample processed and stored at the Cryo-Save lab to be successfully used in a transplant any time in the future.

The AABB’s accreditation procedures are voluntary. Rajesh Sharma, Managing Director, Cryo-Save India said, “We are extremely pleased to have been granted this accreditation. With this, Cryo-Save India has once again demonstrated superior capabilities in the stem cell banking space and we will continue to deliver on our ongoing commitment to the highest quality standards, thereby providing the best of services to our customers”.

Arnoud van Tulder, CEO, Cryo-Save Group said, “As a group, we are thrilled to have received the AABB certification in India. I strongly believe that this accreditation will help rid the Indian stem cell industry of speculations that cloud it and will infuse much needed confidence in the market.”

Marc Waeterschoot, QP and Co-founder, Cryo-Save Group said, “Obtaining this accreditation has lend further credibility to standards that we adhere to in terms of collection, processing and storage of the stem cells, which are at par with international standards. I am sure we have more to offer as we grow in the coming years.”

AABB is an international non-profit body dedicated to developing the highest standards in blood and cord blood banking, transfusion medicine and cellular therapy. AABB accreditation contributes to the quality and safety of collection, processing, testing, distributing and administering blood and cellular therapy products and storage. The accreditation program assesses the quality and operational systems in place within the storage facility and ensures compliance with AABB Standards, Code of Federal Regulations and Federal guidance documents.

The AABB Accreditation Program has been recognized by the International Society for Quality in Health care (ISQua).

Cryo-Save India, a 100% subsidiary of Cryo Save Group N.V which is Europe’s largest adult stem cell storage bank, is headquartered in Bangalore with a state-of-the art fully automated adult stem-cell storage facility.

Cryo-Save, the leading international family stem cell bank, stores more than 200,000 samples from umbilical cord blood, cord tissue and adipose tissue. There are already many diseases treatable by the use of stem cells, and the number of treatments will only increase. Driven by its international business strategy, Cryo-Save is now represented in over 40 countries on four continents, with ultra-modern processing and storage facilities in the United States, Belgium, Germany, Dubai, India, South Africa and France (validation in progress).

Arnoud van Tulder, Chief Executive officer, commented:

“We are pleased to report a new company record of almost 40,000 new samples stored in a year, and crushing the landmark of having more than 200,000 samples stored in our ultramodern state-of the art processing and storage facilities.

“We are confident that our growth strategy will result in continued increasing storage volumes in 2012”.

If you would like to read the full press release please click here.

Cryo-Save is proud to announce the storage of its 200,000^th sample.

This great achievement shows the successful results of Cryo-Save’s efforts in increasing the awareness of stem cell storage among the general public and the medical community. All samples stored can be considered as an outstanding source of stem cells, offering an enormous potential for treating so far incurable diseases.

More cells and tissues stored equals better hopes for treating tomorrow’s diseases.

This great achievement confirms Cryo-Save’s leading role in the cord blood stem cell industry: it has been possible thanks to the multiple educational programs the company launched in several countries. Italy and Serbia hosted the two most recent events, in Bari (in cooperation with the Italian Association of Hospital Gynecologists (AOGOI)) and in Belgrade. Two other educational events are now coming: the 5^th ITERA Life-Sciences Consortium Symposium, taking place in Maastricht November 21^st and 22^nd and exclusively supported by the Cryo-Save Group; and the 2^nd International Congress in Regenerative Medicine, held by Cryo-Save Bosnia on December 9^th.

Thanks to this important milestone, Cryo-Save is going to extend existing social responsibility programs: the Cost-Free Family Donation program, designed to offer free storage to families in need, will give further chances to improve our support to expecting parents. And, in order to celebrate this event, Cryo-Save will offer one cord blood stem cell storage for free to all the 40 countries in which it operates.

Arnoud van Tulder, CEO of Cryo-Save Group, says “I am very proud to have reached the enormous number of 200,000 samples stored. This is the result of over 11 years of commitment towards our customers. This great achievement gives to all Cryo-Save employees the hope of making an important contribution to fight possible life-threatening diseases. It should encourage the entire industry to pursue its mission.”

More information:

Cryo-Save South Africa

Louis Rehrl on 073 217 2725 or louis.rehrl@cryo-save.co.za

Cryo-Save International Marketing & Communication Department

Tel: +41 55 222 0251

Renzo Gentile renzo.gentile@cryo-save.com

Cecile Kastler cecile.kastler@cryo-save.com

Cryo-Save: www.cryo-save.com/group

Cryo-Save, the leading international family stem cell bank, already stores more than 200,000 samples from cord blood and umbilical cord tissue for newborns and adipose tissue for adults. These stem cells can mean the difference between life and death in the case of future threats to the health of the family. There are already several diseases that can be cured by the use of stem cells, and the number of treatments will only increase. The use of stem cells from adipose tissue is increasingly popular in plastic surgery. Driven by its international business strategy, Cryo-Save is now represented in over 40 countries on four continents, with ultra-modern processing and storage facilities in the United States, Belgium, Germany, Dubai, India, South Africa and France (validation in progress).

The_three_stooges|

Cryo-Save is proud to announce the storage of its 200,000^th sample.

This great achievement shows the successful results of Cryo-Save’s efforts in increasing the awareness of stem cell storage among the general public and the medical community. All samples stored can be considered as an outstanding source of stem cells, offering an enormous potential for treating so far incurable diseases.

More cells and tissues stored equals better hopes for treating tomorrow’s diseases.

This great achievement confirms Cryo-Save’s leading role in the cord blood stem cell industry: it has been possible thanks to the multiple educational programs the company launched in several countries. Italy and Serbia hosted the two most recent events, in Bari (in cooperation with the Italian Association of Hospital Gynecologists (AOGOI)) and in Belgrade. Two other educational events are now coming: the 5^th ITERA Life-Sciences Consortium Symposium, taking place in Maastricht November 21^st and 22^nd and exclusively supported by the Cryo-Save Group; and the 2^nd International Congress in Regenerative Medicine, held by Cryo-Save Bosnia on December 9^th.

Thanks to this important milestone, Cryo-Save is going to extend existing social responsibility programs: the Cost-Free Family Donation program, designed to offer free storage to families in need, will give further chances to improve our support to expecting parents. And, in order to celebrate this event, Cryo-Save will offer one cord blood stem cell storage for free to all the 40 countries in which it operates.

Arnoud van Tulder, CEO of Cryo-Save Group, says “I am very proud to have reached the enormous number of 200,000 samples stored. This is the result of over 11 years of commitment towards our customers. This great achievement gives to all Cryo-Save employees the hope of making an important contribution to fight possible life-threatening diseases. It should encourage the entire industry to pursue its mission.”

More information:

Cryo-Save South Africa

Louis Rehrl on 073 217 2725 or louis.rehrl@cryo-save.co.za

Cryo-Save International Marketing & Communication Department

Tel: +41 55 222 0251

Renzo Gentile renzo.gentile@cryo-save.com

Cecile Kastler cecile.kastler@cryo-save.com

Cryo-Save: www.cryo-save.com/group

Cryo-Save, the leading international family stem cell bank, already stores more than 200,000 samples from cord blood and umbilical cord tissue for newborns and adipose tissue for adults. These stem cells can mean the difference between life and death in the case of future threats to the health of the family. There are already several diseases that can be cured by the use of stem cells, and the number of treatments will only increase. The use of stem cells from adipose tissue is increasingly popular in plastic surgery. Driven by its international business strategy, Cryo-Save is now represented in over 40 countries on four continents, with ultra-modern processing and storage facilities in the United States, Belgium, Germany, Dubai, India, South Africa and France (validation in progress).

The_three_stooges|

The new laboratory is the result of the joint venture between Cryo-Save Group N.V. (Euronext: CRYO; “Cryo-Save Group”), the leading international family stem cell bank and JSE listed John Daniel Holdings Limited (JDH). JDH, through its subsidiary Lazaron Biotechnologies was the first company to successfully store cord blood stem cells in South Africa. The new joint venture company, which trades under the Cryo-Save brand, offers clients local and international storage options of umbilical cord tissue and stem cells from umbilical cord blood.

The new laboratory is equipped with technology and protocols on a par with best international practice. The involvement of Cryo-Save Group has already realised substantial foreign investment in the company.

“South Africa has always been an important market for Cryo-Save and our joint venture with JDH allows both parties to leverage their core competencies providing best practice medical services with sound governance and commercial practice. In addition the new company will provide the base to penetrate the untapped sub-Saharan market.” says Arnoud van Tulder, Cryo-Save Group’s CEO.

“This exciting development provides a sound and sustainable base for our valued clients represented by both the medical profession as well as expectant parents. It also displays the confidence which the directors of both Cryo-Save Group and JDH have in this high technology healthcare service.” says Terence Gregory, CEO of JDH.

Cryo-Save South Africa has employed professional, dedicated and highly-skilled staff to operate the new laboratory. Key personnel have already undergone further specialised training at Cryo-Save’s state-of-the-art facility in Belgium.

The new laboratory will immediately process and store cord tissue as well as stem cells from cord blood. The service to store the stem cells in Belgium will continue should a client prefer this option. As another first in South Africa, clients will also have the option of dual storage of a sample in South Africa as well as offshore in Europe.

“We have a specific objective to develop a local stem cell processing and storage ‘centre of excellence’ to support both the medical fraternity as well as the family. Internationally, trends reflect the importance of stem cell banking. In the USA, transplants performed on patients younger than 18 years of age show more than 50% of the stem cell transplantations has cord blood as cell source,” concludes Louis Rehrl, managing director of the new company.

The previous Cryo-Save South Africa’s efficient export of cord blood and tissue to Belgium, will be integrated into the new company.

About Cryo-Save (www.cryo-save.com/group)

Cryo-Save, the leading international family stem cell bank, already stores 185,000 samples from cord blood and umbilical cord tissue for newborns and adipose tissue for adults. These stem cells can mean the difference between life and death in the case of future threats to the health of the donors. There are already several diseases that can be cured by the use of stem cells, and the number of treatments will only increase. Driven by its international business strategy, Cryo-Save is now represented in 40 countries on four continents, with ultra-modern processing and storage facilities in Belgium, Germany, Dubai, India, North America, South Africa and in France (validation is in progress).

About JDH (www.john-daniel.com)

JDH is a South African venture capital investment holding company established in 1998 and listed on the Johannesburg Securities Exchange (JSE). JDH has four operational subsidiaries:

• Lazaron Biotechnologies (SA) Ltd, Africa’s first private cord blood stem cell bank
• Cryo-Save South Africa (Pty) Ltd, the subject of this release
• Vinguard Ltd, the manufacturer of monolithic, polymeric, slow release SO2 table grape protection sheets for optimum post-harvest protection of table grapes
• Viscacom (Pty) Ltd a credit provider which operates in niche markets.

The main business of JDH is that of an investment holding company focused on early stage strategic investments in advanced technologies, in South Africa, which have global applications and offer more cost effective products than currently available, if available at all.

Contact details:

In preparation of the launch two important steps have been realized:

1. Cryo-Save completed an ‘FDA-ready’ validation study confirming that the Cryo-Lip® methodology consistently delivers the highest quality of stem cells
2. Cryo-Save has partnered with Texas-based Genesis Biosystems to market the Cryo-Lip® service in the U.S

The 3-year exclusive agreement between Cryo-Save and Genesis Biosystems brings Europe’s most sophisticated cryopreservation and stem cell technology to patients and physicians in the U.S. Initially, an extensive network of committed physicians will be developed offering the unique Cryo-Lip® service to their patients.

What is Cryo-Lip®?
The Cryo-Lip® service is a unique and high quality technology that allows people to store their own valuable adipose tissue or adult stem cells for current or future use. After collection, the fat tissue is processed at the highly specialized and FDA-accredited tissue bank of General Biotech Technologies in Indianapolis. The tissue and cells can be preserved for many years and may be released back for reinjection upon request.

Cryo-Lip®: a new high potential service for plastic surgeons and regenerative medicine
Plastic surgeons can use the tissue and cells for plastic and cosmetic indications such as facial rejuvenation or breast reconstruction. In addition, many applications in regenerative medicine are being investigated with promising results already announced in diverse conditions such as cardiac ischemia and urinary incontinence. There is little doubt that adult stem cells will play an important role in clinical medicine of tomorrow.

James D. Lafferty, CEO of Genesis Biosystems, sees a growing market: “Using a patient’s own fat for injection for cosmetic enhancement increased by over 27% from 2009 to 2010, which indicates patients and physicians continue to see more benefit from natural tissue as opposed to synthetic injectable products. Additionally, with more than 300,000 liposuction procedures performed annually in the U.S., there are large numbers of patients that will choose to cryo-preserve their fat for future cosmetic and medical use as regenerative stem cell therapies become more prevalent.”

Scientifically validated
Cryo-Save has also completed an ‘FDA-ready validation study’ for the Cryo-Lip® service in the U.S. Henk Snyman, MD, Managing Director of the US Cryo-Lip® operations comments: “We are committed to deliver a scientifically and clinically validated service. Our results in the FDA-ready validation study showed that our methodology consistently delivers the highest quality of stem cells, including the ability to differentiate into adipose, bone and cartilage cells.”

A strong partnership
Arnoud van Tulder, CEO Cryo-Save states: “a strong partnership is essential for a successful roll-out of the Cryo-Lip® service in the U.S. We are convinced that Genesis Biosystems is ideally placed to ensure good market penetration.”

More information:
Henk Snyman, Managing Director of US Cryo-Save operations (+31 575 548 998)
Arnoud van Tulder, Chief Executive Officer Cryo-Save (+31 575 548 998)
James D. Lafferty, CEO of Genesis Biosystems (+1972 315 7888, x102)

Cryo-Lip®: www.cryolip.com (patients) www.stem-cell-genesis.com (physicians)
Cryo-Save: www.cryo-save.com/group

Full Press Release

Cryo-Save Group N.V. (Euronext: CRYO, „Cryo-Save‟, or „the Group‟), the leading international family stem cell bank, has published its financial results for the six months ended 30 June 2011.

Financial highlights

• Revenue up 8% to €21.1 million (1 HY 2010: €19.5 million)
• EBITA* up 10% to €2.7 million (1 HY 2010: €2.5 million)
• Operating profit up 6% to €2.0 million (1 HY 2010: €1.9 million)
• Profit before taxation up 7% to €1.7 million (1 HY 2010: €1.6 million)
• Net profit up 2% to €1.3 million (1 HY 2010: €1.3 million)
• Basic earnings per share 13.9 euro cents (1 HY 2010: 13.7 euro cents)
• Net cash from operating activities €1.7 million (1 HY 2010: € 2.0 million)
• Cash position of €3.6 million as at 30 June 2011

* EBITA is defined as Earnings Before Interest, Taxation and Amortization of identified intangible assets

Operational highlights

• 19,600 new samples stored in 1 HY 2011, up 6% (1 HY 2010: 18,500). Of these, 12,600 were new cord blood samples and 7,000 new cord tissue samples
• 184,000 samples stored in total
• Release of sample to treat 6 year old girl with Cerebral Palsy at Duke University, USA
• 65% of new customers opt for combined service of cord blood and cord tissue storage
• Acquisition of Serbian distributor Life R.F. for €2.3 million in cash and 30,000 Cryo-Save shares
• Permission granted in Serbia and Switzerland for combined storage of umbilical cord tissue and stem cells from umbilical cord blood. The Group now offers this combined service in all main countries of operation
• Incorporation of Cryo-Save USA, Inc. to commercialize and further develop the Cryo-Lip® service in North America, along with strategic partner General BioTechnology
• Joint venture established in South Africa with John Daniel Holdings and Lazaron Biotechnologies to form Cryo-Save South Africa

Outlook

• Cryo-Save has a strong strategic position and product portfolio
• The Cryo-Lip® service will be introduced in the USA in the second half of 2011
• Cryo-Save will continue to collaborate with new partners or make acquisitions in line with its strategy
• Promising developments in the use of stem cell technology in the treatment of diseases and for cellular therapy and regenerative medicine
• Cryo-Save is confident it will continue to maintain its leadership position as the international family stem cell bank of choice

Thanks to a considerable volume growth of the combined service of storing the umbilical cord tissue and stem cells derived from umbilical cord blood, Cryo-Save reported strong revenue of €21.1 million for the first half of 2011 compared to the first half of 2010 (€19.5 million). Gross profit margin improved to 67.0% compared to the second half of 2010 (66.5%), but declined when compared to the first half of 2010 (68.7%). Operational expenses increased with €0.4 million due to the impact of the acquisitions of Tissue Bank Cryo Center Bulgaria AD („TBCCB‟) and Life R.F. doo, Serbia („Life”) and further investments in Cryo-Lip®. The acquisitions also impacted the amortization of intangible assets which increased with €0.2 million. Hence, operating profit was up 6% to €2.0 million, from €1.9 million in 1 HY 2010.

Cryo-Save Half Year Results 2011 Full Release

Cryo-Save Half Year Results 2011 Presentation

Six years ago a Portuguese couple decided, at the birth of their daughter, to store her cord blood at Cryo-Save (Euronext: CRYO, “Cryo-Save”). This week the sick girl was treated in the U.S. with her own stem cells. A medical marvel, but no longer unique, as autologous (the patient’s own) stem cells are regularly being used in clinical trials to tackle a growing number of disorders.

Europe’s main stem cell family bank, Cryo-Save, currently cares for 175,000 samples of cord blood, umbilical cord tissue and adipose tissue. All these tissues are rich in stem cells, which offer enormous potential for treating so far incurable disorders.
The couple’s decision to preserve stem cells for their daughter may today completely change her life. The girl suffers from an incurable illness: cerebral palsy, a brain disorder that causes many problems, including impaired movement, trembling of the limbs, spasticity, seizures or epilepsy, learning and developmental problems, and more. Children with cerebral palsy require special needs education. There is no treatment for the disorder, which occurs in young children and, in the U.S. alone, affects almost half a million people.
Pioneering treatment… with own stem cells!
The Portuguese girl is currently undergoing treatment at Duke University in the US with her own umbilical cord-derived stem cells. It is a simple and safe procedure with the stem cells given to the patient intravenously. The girl received her first transfusion earlier this week. This treatment with own or ‘autologous’ stem cells has already provided several children suffering from cerebral palsy with very significant improvements.

Medical doctors at Duke University are treating cerebral palsy children who have their own cord blood stored, in a clinical trial.

A growing variety of disorders treated with autologous stem cells
This development makes Arnoud van Tulder, CEO of Cryo-Save, very happy: “We are proud that we can once again make a difference by contributing to the betterment of this girl’s life. I am pleased to see that a growing range of diseases are now being treated with autologous stem cells. This is very promising. Cryo-Save samples meet all the high standards set by hospitals for therapeutic products. Ensuring the quality of collection, transport, processing and storage always was and remains our highest priority.”

Enquiries:

Cryo-Save Group                                                          + 31 (0) 575 548 998
Arnoud van Tulder, Chief Executive Officer

Information on the trials for Cerebral Palsy at Duke U: http://www.wral.com/lifestyles/healthteam/story/9587943/

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It has been showed that newly diagnosed Type 1(insulin dependant) Diabetic children developed less severe diabetes if treated with their own cord blood during the early phases of the disease. In the early stages of diabetes an inflammatory cell attack on the insulin producing Islet cells of the pancreas occurs. When cord blood from a specific patient is given back to the that patient in the early stages of Type 1 diabetes, the patient will eventually require less insulin than control patients who do not receive this therapy. The cord blood cells either lessen the attack on the pancreas or possibly introduce stem cells that can differentiate into insulin-producing cells according to the University of Florida’s Dr Michael Haller.

Professor Colin McGuckin of the University of Newcastle upon Tyne Medical School believes that the specialized cells within the cord blood (which stop rejection of the child by the mother during pregnancy) are likely to be the ones which are responsible for quietening down the immune system attack on the pancreas. This, together with cord blood stem cells manipulated to secrete insulin, may be able to markedly improve the outlook for diabetes patients.

These findings may also be of relevance to patients who are in the early stages of other auto-immune diseases.

Research News Database To access research papers on stem cell therapy for a wide variety of diseases please visit our parent company’s website at www.cryo-save.com/publication_database.html