Umbilical cord blood transplantation has been established for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation to treat hematopoietic and genetic diseases. But limited cell dose in one cord blood unit cannot be sufficient for adult patient use. Therefore, the cell dose is the most important determinant of successful cord blood transplantation. The strategies of increasing hematopoietic stem cells are use of double umbilical cord blood units, or ex vivo expansion of HSCs cells.

Umbilical cord blood transplantation has been established for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation to treat hematopoietic and genetic diseases. But limited cell dose in one cord blood unit cannot be sufficient for adult patient use. Therefore, the cell dose is the most important determinant of successful cord blood transplantation. The strategies of increasing hematopoietic stem cells are use of double umbilical cord blood units, or ex vivo expansion of HSCs cells.

The TABP research & development (R&D) team makes efforts in developing the techniques of rapidly ex vivo expansion of hematopoietic stem cells. TABP R&D team established a platform for ex vivo hematopoietic stem cells expansion, which was called 【Hb4Cord® expansion platform】. Through the addition of TAT-HOXB4 protein in ex vivo culture condition, the numbers of hematopoietic stem cells is dramatically increased. The characteristics of Hb4Cord® expansion platform include: high recovery yield of hematopoietic stem cells from cryopreserved cord blood; high expansion fold of hematopoietic stem cell numbers; high ratio of effective hematopoietic stem cells (CD34+CD38- cells) population; high viability and activity after cryopreservation and thawing processes; and non-viral or genetic delivery system and less safety concern.

Hematopoietic stem cells produced by Hb4Cord® expansion platform has completed the preclinical studies, including batches analysis, toxicology, and pharmacology study. An investigational new drug (IND) application will be submitted in the near future. We conduct the phase I study, to assess the safety and potential efficacy of Hb4Cord® cell products in human, and to develop a valuable and potential cell therapy product.