Human Longevity Inc. Acquires Stem Cell Banking from Celgene Cellular Therapeutics

Human Longevity, Inc.  has agreed to purchase LifebankUSA, a leader in placental and cord blood banking, along with its proprietary and high-yield method for extracting placental stem cells and related therapeutic programs, and the biomaterials program which includes the marketed product Biovance®, a cell matrix critical to wound healing applications.
According to the company’s press release:

The cord and placental blood and tissue provide high quality DNA from mother and newborn for genome sequencing. Following the closing of the acquisition, HLI will start offering its newborn genome sequencing product along with stem cell banking. Having the newborn genome can provide families with relevant baseline information about their child’s health journey, including the risk of preventable or treatable childhood diseases, food allergies and adverse drug reactions. HLI anticipates offering this product beginning in the second quarter of 2016.

Craig Venter, Ph.D., Co-founder and CEO, HL commented:

Stem cells are an important component to understanding and unlocking insights into human biology and human disease. This is a unique acquisition that gives HLI the ability to combine the power of stem cells with newborn genome analysis to offer parents new information and potential treatments for their families.

Click here to view the full press release.