Remote temperature surveillance, experienced lab staff hired as Cordlife resumes cord blood units collection

REDUCED PRICE PLANS, NEW SIGN-UPS

An automated platform for processing cord blood units – known as AXP II – has also been validated by MOH’s expert panel, said Cordlife. 

The system’s advanced sensors ensure precise control during processing of cord blood units, allowing for a higher yield of viable stem cells.

This is crucial for successful cord blood transplants, said Cordlife. It added that it has also refurbished its facility and plans to reorganise its key laboratory equipment to streamline operations and improve efficiency.

On Tuesday, group executive director Chen Xiaoling said Cordlife has already received new sign-ups since the partial resumption. The company, however, did not disclose how many such sign-ups there have been so far.

The cord blood bank has also reduced the cost of its price plans by 20 to 25 per cent compared to before its suspension. Ms Chen added the price needs to be adjusted “from time to time” to align with the market. 

While Cordlife only lists its annual fee of S$250 (US$193) on its website, some clients CNA spoke to previously shared that they had forked out at least S$6,000 for the collection and storage of their child’s cord blood.

Over the last nine months of its suspension, Cordlife staff has worked closely with various industry experts as well as MOH, said Ms Chen.

“We intend to progress from controlled resumption to full resumption. We will work hard to regain the full trust of MOH and our clients in Singapore,” she added. 

Noting that the cord blood bank has “emerged from a major challenge”, Mr Yiu highlighted that its facilities outside of Singapore are not affected. 

Apart from Singapore, Cordlife also has storage facilities in Malaysia, the Philippines, Hong Kong, India and Indonesia. 

“We will grow our group’s operations to provide more reliable and innovative services, establish strategic partnerships, and grow our market share in the region,” Mr Yiu said.