Brazil puts extra weight behind cord blood programmes, stem cell R&D:
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
The Brazilian cancer institute (INCA) has been given the go-ahead to expand the national umbilical cord and placental blood bank (BSCUP), in support of related healthcare and research programmes. The national economic and social development bank has approved a R$4.1m (US$1.8m) investment, which will enable BSCUP to increase its capacity from 3,000 to 10,000 units. The investment will be used to extend and improve facilities, in line with international processing and storage standards, the health ministry stated, to increase the activity of the national marrow transplantation centre (CEMO) and help establish the national blood banks network, Brasilcord. Brazil's stem cell research programmes will also benefit from these expansion plans, said the health ministry.