ORLANDO, Florida, Sept. 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- CORD:USE Cord Blood Bank – www.corduse.com – is pleased to announce that it has entered into an Equity and Exclusive Services Agreement with Tianhe Stem Cell Biotechnologies, Inc. (Tianhe) which has licensed a series of patented technologies for the isolation of human cord blood-derived multipotent stem cells for possible clinical applications. Tianhe is performing Phase I/II clinical trials in China and Spain using Tianhe's Stem Cell Educator Therapy showing that the therapy is safe. In patients with moderate or severe Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), a single treatment produced lasting improvement in metabolic control. Trial results demonstrated improvement lasting three years following a single treatment. Trials also revealed improvement in 80% of patients who have Type 2 Diabetes (T2D). Initial results indicate Stem Cell Educator Therapy reverses autoimmunity and promotes regeneration of islet beta-cells with the goal of producing a treatment for T1D and T2D, as well as other autoimmune diseases.

"Tianhe is honored and thrilled to partner with CORD:USE. We have received cord blood from many banks around the nation and world, but we have found that the cord blood provided to us by CORD:USE has the highest quality of any cord blood that we have received," said Dr. Yong Zhao, President of Tianhe.

"From CORD:USE's inception, and since we have brought together many of the world leaders in cord blood banking, research and transplantation to our team, our goal was to provide high quality, life-saving therapies for patients in need. This partnership signifies our commitment to this mission and to the cutting edge research and clinical trials necessary to provide new therapies that could benefit large populations of patients," said Edward Guindi, MD, President and CEO of CORD:USE.

The American Diabetes Association estimates that in the U.S. alone as many as 25 million people are afflicted with diabetes. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that approximately 347 million people have diabetes worldwide and the WHO projects that it will be the 7th leading cause of death by 2030. Diabetes and its associated complications substantially affect the quality of life and create significant economic burden. Additionally, the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association cites that 50 million Americans suffer from an autoimmune disease.

"Umbilical cord blood is a rich source of stem and progenitor cells as well as immune cell populations with tremendous potential in the treatment of many diseases including diabetes and other autoimmune diseases. CORD:USE strives to be the best in class in cord blood banking while being instrumental in the development of such new treatments," said John Wagner, MD, a pioneer in the field of umbilical cord blood transplantation.

"To date, our clinical data from trials demonstrated that correction of immune dysfunctions by Stem Cell Educator Therapy leads to the restoration of pancreatic islet β-cell function in long-standing T1D and T2D Chinese subjects. In collaboration with CORD:USE, we are going to submit the FDA application for the approval of clinical trials in the United States," said Dr. Zhao.

"We are pleased that the high-quality cord blood samples obtained from CORD:USE will allow the scientific and clinical studies to continue that may in the near future allow cord blood to be used as a source of cell therapy to effectively treat patients with diabetes and autoimmune diseases," said Dr. Hal Broxmeyer, who is recognized as a founder of the field of cord blood banking and transplantation.

About CORD:USE Cord Blood Bank, Inc.

CORD:USE Cord Blood Bank, headquartered in Orlando, Florida operates both leading high quality public and family cord blood banks. CORD:USE Cord Blood Bank has entered into agreements with hospitals across the country to provide mothers the option to donate their babies' cord blood. CORD:USE Public Cord Blood Bank is one of the highest quality cord blood banks that has been chosen and partially funded by HRSA, of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, to help build the National Cord Blood Inventory. CORD:USE Family Cord Blood Bank uses the same highly advanced technologies as does their public bank. No other bank uses this combination of advanced technologies to protect cord blood. CORD:USE's advanced technologies make it possible for them to privately store cord blood units for expectant parents from anywhere in the country and from around the world. Cord blood stem cells have been used successfully in the treatment of over 70 blood cancers and diseases. CORD:USE distributes cord blood units to transplanters, throughout the country and the world, as a critical component in their patients' treatment. For more information, please visit our website www.corduse.com, or contact Michael Ernst at 407.667.3000.

About Tianhe Stem Cell Biotechnologies Inc.

Tianhe Stem Cell Biotechnologies Inc., an Illinois corporation, has licensed a series of patented technologies on human cord blood-derived multipotent stem cells (CB-SCs) from University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), including the key technology Stem Cell Educator therapy. Tianhe focuses on the application of Stem Cell Educator therapy to treat diabetes and other autoimmune diseases. Tianhe is leading an international multicenter Phase II clinical trial in T1D. For more information, please visit our website www.tianhecell.com.

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SOURCE CORD:USE Cord Blood Bank