Cord blood conferences have been expanding in number and frequency over the past decade. Cord blood banking is the long-term storage and preservation of umbilical cord blood collected during the birth of a newborn. It is collected, because it is rich in hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), a stem cell type that is widely used in transplant medicine and can be used to treat over 80 different conditions. The matrix of the umbilical cord, called Wharton’s Jelly, is also a rich source of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), a cell type that is now being explored in more than 800 clinical trials worldwide.
Each year, cord blood industry experts gather at these events to discuss trends, research progress, and clinical and technological advances.
Below, we highlight leading cord blood industry events, many of which BioInformant attends, sponsors, or helps to organize.
Cord Blood Industry Conferences
1) International Cord Blood Symposium
June 14-16, 2018 (San Diego, CA, USA)
Link: www.cordbloodsymposium.org
2) International Cord Blood Congress, hosted by the Cord Blood Association (CBA)
Sept. 14-16, 2018, in Miami Beach, Florida
Link: eiseverywhere.com/ehome/cba/655191/
3) “Cord Blood and Perinatal Stem Cell Track” of Cell and Gene Therapy World / World Stem Cell Summit
January 21-25, 2019 (Miami, FL, USA)
Link: www.worldstemcellsummit.com OR cellandgenetherapyworld.com/forms/pre-register-for-2019-event
4) Perinatal Stem Cell Society Congress
February 28 – March 1, 2019 (Salt Lake City, UT, USA)
Link: www.perinatalstemcells.com/
Will I See You at a Cord Blood Industry Conference?
While there are undoubtedly challenges associated with the use of cord blood and tissue-derived therapeutics, in contrast to pharmaceuticals, adult stem cells types such as a mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) have an impressive track record of patient safety.
Additionally, the global cord blood banking market is maturing, consolidating, and diversifying into new types of stem cell storage. Multiple technologies for ex vivo expansion of cord blood units have also entered Phase II trials (ExCellThera, Nohla Therapeutics, Gamida Cell), making it an interesting time to connect with cord blood industry participants.
I look forward to seeing you at an upcoming cord blood industry event and getting the opportunity to meet you in person.
Will you be at one of these events? Comment below and tell us which one.