ISCT joins forces with Roche and Genzyme to launch Cell Therapy Industry Partnership

Many companies in the cell therapy regenerative medicine market including Roche, Genzyme, Athersys, Miltenyi Biotec, Hospira, Lonza and Life Technologies will join ISCT to launch a series of new initiatives that will create greater strategic alignment within the industry and drive late stage clinical development. The ISCT Industry Task Force (ITF), comprising these major corporations along with internationally renowned clinicians and academics in cell therapy translation, rolled out a series of recommendations to re-charter the ISCT Commercialization Committee to drive the creation of forums for discussion of shared concerns on process and product development, business models, and clinical development, and to catalyze the development of consensus standards. 
ISCT Announcement of Industry Task Force  

Draft CSA Standards Available for Public Review

The Canadian Standards Association (CSA) has released the draft Standard Z900.2.5, Lymphohematopoietic Cells for Transplantation for public review and comment. These Standards were initiated by Health Canada's Expert Working Group on Safety of Organs and Tissues for Transplantation. After reviewing the draft Standards, you may submit comments via the CSA website. Comments will be accepted until October 16, 2010.
Standard Z900.2.5, Lymphohematopoietic Cells for Transplantation
CSA Online Public Comment Form

FACT Announces Second Quarter Accreditations

Thirteen blood and marrow transplant programs received accreditation renewal during the second quarter of 2010. 
List of recently accredited facilities  

ASHI Seeks Comments on 2010 Standards

The American Society for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics requests public comments on the proposed 2010 Standards. The redline version of the proposed 2010 Standards allows quick identification of changes. In addition, the document entitled "2010 changes to 2009 Standards" provides a side-by-side comparison of the standards which are proposed for change as well as an explanation for each change. Please carefully consider these proposed revisions to the current standards and send your comments to Kathy Miranda at ASHI Headquarters (kmiranda@ahint.com) no later than August 27, 2010.
Redline Version of Proposed 2010 Standards
2010 Changes to 2009 Standards

FACT Accreditation on Agenda for Rhodes Cord Blood Workshop

FACT accreditation will be a topic addressed during the Cord Blood Workshop in Rhodes, Greece, on September 24-25, 2010, which is sponsored by ESH, Eurocord, Eurocord-ed, and NetCord. This technical workshop will include the FACT Standards and accreditation process; cord blood bank structures; cord blood collection, processing, and release; and the future of cord blood banking. In addition to on-site participation, registrants have the option to participate online from home or the workplace.
Cord Blood Workshop in Rhodes, Greece Registration

ISBT 128 Implementation Survey

Almost five years have passed since we recommended the use of ISBT 128. We would now like to assess the status of ISBT 128 implementation in cellular therapy. We kindly ask you to respond to a survey to determine the global status of ISBT 128 implementation.
ISBT 128 Implementation Survey letter

New Cord Blood Licensure Website

The website was created to support the volunteer working groups formed at the Cord Blood Licensure Workshop on March 10, 2010. The contents of the site are the result of collaborative efforts to facilitate the process of obtaining a Biologics License Application.
Cord Blood Licensure website

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