Despite progress involving the use of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) within disease modeling and drug discovery applications, it will be a long path to achieve the broad-scale use of iPSC-derived cell types in human patients. [Read more…]
Cord Blood Industry Consolidation Escalates in 2026
The global cord blood industry experienced strong growth from the early 1990’s through the late 2000’s, during which time more than 450 cord blood banking companies emerged worldwide. Approximately half of those companies owned their own labs, while the others were marketing entities or sub-contractors of storage space.
Starting about ten years ago, the market suddenly changed course. It entered a period of aggressive consolidation, cutting the global number of cord blood banks by approximately half.
Over the past decade, the cord blood industry has witnessed substantial consolidation, particularly within the United States, Europe, Asia, and Latin America. [Read more…]
Interview with Dr. Nianwei Lin, Co-Founder and President of iXCells Biotechnologies
*Sponsored Content: This interview is sponsored by iXcells Biotechnologies.
Founded in 2014 and headquartered in San Diego, CA, iXCells Biotechnologies is a cell biology and cell technology company specializing in pre-clinical drug discovery solutions. iXCells provides primary cells and iPSC derived cells, custom iPSC services, and functional bioassay development and execution, among other products and services.
In this interview with Nianwei Lin, Co-Founder and President of iXCells Biotechnologies, we discuss the company’s product pipeline, innovative drug discovery solutions, CRO services, and its future goals. [Read more…]
Direct Cell Reprogramming: What Is It and How Does It Work?
Direct cell reprogramming is the in vitro (laboratory) or in vivo (in the body) reprogramming of somatic cells into other cell types without the need for an intermediate pluripotent state. Another term for direct cell reprogramming is transdifferentiation, which is the direct conversion of one differentiated cell type into another.
There has been tremendous activity over the last decade in the development of stem cells therapeutics, which have relied on stem cell differentiation protocols, as well as techniques for direct cell reprogramming. Today, there are over 7,149+ stem cell trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov and stem cell publications have increased dramatically in recent years, recently surpassing 500,000+ on PubMed.gov.
However, for all their promise, stem cells are yet to deliver on this therapeutic potential, and this failure appears due to various technical challenges that still need to be overcome. [Read more…]
Where Are Stem Cells Found? A Guide to the Different Types of Stem Cells
Stem cells are present in several tissues throughout the human body, including bone marrow, blood, adipose tissue, dental pulp, and perinatal tissues such as umbilical cord blood and placenta. The type and properties of these cells vary substantially depending on their tissue of origin.
Did you know that in bone marrow alone, humans can have between 50,000 and 200,000 stem cells?
The use and understanding of stem cells is one of the most promising medical advancements of our time because they might be able to help treat life-threatening or chronic diseases.
But where are stem cells found? Let’s find out. [Read more…]