Daily Tribune (Philippines)

Singaporea­n stem cell company expands to Phl

Studies now show that one in 217 people will have a stem cell transplant by the age of 70.

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‘In the past few years, we’ve seen a dramatic shift in outlook, giving more emphasis to health and disease prevention.’

“Life-changing technology you can trust.” This is the mission and promise of StemCord, using science-based research, global expertise, and proven methodolog­y. On its 20th year, the company founded by a group of doctors remains committed to harnessing the potential of regenerati­ve medicine to build hope and safeguard your child and family’s future.

StemCord SG Phils. Corp. has been the pioneer in providing cord blood banking services to families in the Philippine­s through StemCord in Singapore.

Director and co-founder Dr. Leong See Odd said, “The acquisitio­n of the StemCord office in the Philippine­s and the move into a new and bigger space at the High Pointe Medical Hub in Mandaluyon­g City is in line with StemCord’s objectives of expanding regionally. This will also bring StemCord closer to meet the needs of the parents in the Philippine­s.” “Building on StemCord’s science-based approach and technologi­cal expertise, we are also launching #itslifecha­nging campaign, focused on educating parents on the science and benefits of cord blood banking,” said Dr. Ang Peng Tiam, director and co-founder of StemCord. “This campaign aims to educate the next generation, including children of our clients, helping them tap on the next wave of medical advances.”

Dr. Teo Cheng Peng, chairman and co-founder of StemCord, said, “There are many cord blood banks around the world, but there will always be special and high-quality ones that doctors, nurses, and midwives will speak highly of. StemCord belongs to this elite group of distinguis­hed facilities. We have adopted standards beyond the legal requiremen­ts of the Ministry of Health, Singapore, and the stringent criteria of Internatio­nal Cord Blood Banking practice. We voluntaril­y seek to be accredited by NetCord-FACT over the years to adhere to the highest internatio­nal standards in Cord Blood Banking.”

StemCord SG Philippine­s’ chief operating officer Phoebe Te added, “Through the years, Filipinos have been recognizin­g the benefits of stem cell science and cord blood banking. In the past few years, we’ve seen a dramatic shift in outlook, giving more emphasis to health and disease prevention. We’re seeing this evolution among Filipinos, which correspond­s with our mission as a company to provide life-changing technology guided by medical knowledge with the purpose of promoting and improving health.”

Capturing the present for the future

In our journey in the healthcare industry, we have seen how stem cells therapy have saved and improved lives. Studies now show that one in 217 people will have a stem cell transplant by the age of 70. To date, over 40,000 cord blood transplant­s have taken place worldwide1.

Cord Blood Banking is when newborn umbilical cord blood is collected and stored at birth. It is a rich source of stem cells, mainly haematopoi­etic stem cells. HSCs have been used to treat more than 80 life-threatenin­g diseases including bone marrow disorders, leukemias and lymphomas, blood cancers, and autoimmune diseases.

Current studies of stem cells focus on its role in the treatment of autism.

Clinical trials have shown promising results on the treatment of autism. Scientists at Duke University in US reported results from a small, early-stage study of an experiment­al autism therapy for children using their own umbilical cord blood.

Phase I trial results were published in April 2017 in the journal Stem Cells Translatio­nal Medicine and shows that among 25 children ages two to five, more than two-thirds appeared to show improvemen­ts in speech, socializat­ion, and eye contact, as reported by parents and assessed by researcher­s. KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Singapore is also running a clinical trial on umbilical cord blood for the treatment of autism, and some of StemCord clients have participat­ed in this trial.

In 2015, StemCord introduced Cord Stem Cells Banking, stem cells extracted from the umbilical cord, are cultured, and stored. These unique stem cells are known as Mesenchyma­l Stem Cells. Research indicates that the Mesenchyma­l Stem Cells found in the umbilical cord tissue, have the unique ability to rapidly regenerate and differenti­ate themselves into various tissues and organ cells, including heart, nerve, cartilage, bone, muscle, liver, cartilage, and fat tissue. The use of Cord Mesenchyma­l Stem Cells for treatments is still in the clinical trial phase, but they have great potential for future use in the treatment of conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, strokes, spinal cord injuries, and more. Currently, there are more than 1,000 ongoing clinical trials involving MSCs, and more than 6,000 articles are published, which further emphasize the potential for MSCs in future stem cell therapies.

A study was conducted by the National University of Singapore on the use of mesenchyma­l stem cells in treatment and to regenerate damaged cartilage in the osteoarthr­itic knee. The study concluded high success rate in cartilage regenerati­on among people suffering from this condition.

Indeed, these are exciting times in the science of stem cell treatment, opening new beginnings and hope for healing in many diseases.

So, whether you’re a parent welcoming a new life to the world or simply one who cares for the future, investing in cord blood and cord stem cell banking can be an invaluable investment for the family.

For more informatio­n, visit www.stemcord.com.ph, or follow @stemcordph on Instagram and Facebook. To set an appointmen­t, call 8723-2333 or email customerse­rvice@stemcord.com.ph. StemCord Philippine­s’ office is located

 ?? PHOTOGRAPH­S COURTESY OF STEMCORD ?? INVESTING in cord blood and cord stem cell banking can be an invaluable investment for the family.
PHOTOGRAPH­S COURTESY OF STEMCORD INVESTING in cord blood and cord stem cell banking can be an invaluable investment for the family.
 ?? ?? THE Founders of StemCord: Dr. Leong See Odd, Dr. Teo Cheng Peng, and Dr. Ang Peng Tiam.
THE Founders of StemCord: Dr. Leong See Odd, Dr. Teo Cheng Peng, and Dr. Ang Peng Tiam.

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