OLDSMAR, Fla., April 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Cryo-Cell International, Inc. (the "Company"), one of the world's largest and most established family cord blood banks, announced today that it has appointed three new members to its Medical & Scientific Advisory Board (MSAB): Richard Kahn, Ph.D., Naynesh Kamani, M.D., and Stephen J. Noga, M.D., Ph.D., who has been named Chairman of the MSAB.
Dr. Noga is the Director of Medical Oncology & Hematology at the Alvin & Lois Lapidus Cancer Institute and the Director of the Cellular Therapeutics Program, both at Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, MD. Dr. Noga directs the care of patients with blood disorders (leukemia and lymphoma) and solid tumors, many of whom benefit from intensive therapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplants. He is an Associate Professor of Oncology and Pathology at the John Hopkins University School of Medicine. In addition to his expertise in cellular therapies, Dr. Noga is a noted speaker, has served on many editorial boards and has organized countless conferences, advisory committees and review groups.
Dr. Noga graduated from the University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, in 1976. He received his Ph.D. from UF in 1983 and his M.D. from The John Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, MD, in 1985. He is a Diplomate in both Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology. Dr. Noga has been the principal investigator for more than 50 clinical research studies.
Richard Kahn, Ph.D., is Assistant Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific & Medical Officer for the American Diabetes Association, Alexandria, VA.
Naynesh Kamani, M.D., chairs the Division of Stem Cell Transplantation and Immunology at Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC, and is a Professor of Immunology and Pediatrics at George Washington University School of Medicine and Health.
The new appointments join four other distinguished MSAB members, each having expertise in the areas of transplant medicine, infectious disease, laboratory/transfusion medicine and/or obstetrics/gynecology:
* Michael Boeckh, M.D., is an attending physician with the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center/Swedish Hospital, Seattle, WA, and is an expert in infectious diseases.
* Gerald J. Elfenbein, M.D., is a Professor of Medicine at Boston University and has chaired the Blood and Marrow Transplant Programs at Roger Williams Medical Center, Providence, RI, and the H. Lee Moffit Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL.
* Merri Buff Mair, M.D., is the Medical Director and Vice President of Medical Affairs at Florida Blood Services in St. Petersburg, FL, and is also the Medical Director for Cryo-Cell International, Inc.
* Bruce Zafran, M.D., is President/CEO of Royal Palm OB/GYN, a single specialty group providing women's healthcare in Coral Springs, FL. Dr. Zafran is also Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Northwest Medical Center, Margate, FL, and a long-term consultant to the Company.
"Over the last decade, we have moved the field of cord blood transplantation from an experimental procedure of last resort to one of high impact to the medical and scientific community. We believe this procedure shows tremendous potential that will advance transplantation science over the ensuing decade," stated Stephen Noga, M.D., MSAB Chairman. "I am delighted to collaborate with CRYO-CELL in this exciting field of medicine."
"The CRYO-CELL Board of Directors has charted an exciting pathway to growth for the Company that includes the development of new services, expanded channels and strategic alliances," stated Mercedes Walton, Chairman & CEO. "CRYO-CELL's Medical & Scientific Advisory Board is a panel of prominent experts that provide the Company with keen insight on emerging clinical applications of stem cell therapies. We are privileged to have the benefit of Dr. Noga's expertise and leadership, along with the participation of the other renowned MSAB members. We anticipate that this strategic resource will continue to contribute significantly towards advancing CRYO-CELL's market and industry leadership."
About Cryo-Cell International, Inc.
Based in Oldsmar, Florida, with nearly 115,000 clients worldwide, CRYO-CELL is one of the largest and most established family cord blood banks. ISO 9001:2000 certified and accredited by the AABB, CRYO-CELL operates in a state-of-the-art Good Manufacturing Practice and Good Tissue Practice (cGMP/cGTP)-compliant facility. CRYO-CELL is a publicly traded company. OTC Bulletin Board Symbol: CCEL. Expectant parents or healthcare professionals may call 1-800-STOR-CELL (1-800-786-7235) or visit http://www.Cryo-Cell.com .
Forward-Looking Statement
Statements wherein the terms "believes," "intends," "projects" or "expects" as used are intended to reflect "forward-looking statements" of the Company. The information contained herein is subject to various risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results anticipated in such forward-looking statements or paragraphs, many of which are outside the control of the Company. These uncertainties and other factors include the uncertainty of market acceptance of our proposed service offer relating to placental stem cells, given that placental stem cells have not yet been used in human therapies, and treatment applications using such stem cells are subject to further research; any adverse effect or limitations caused by recent increases in government regulation of stem cell storage facilities; any increased competition in our business; any decrease or slowdown in the number of people seeking to store umbilical cord blood stem cells or decrease in the number of people paying annual storage fees; any adverse impacts on our revenue or operating margins due to the costs associated with increased growth in our business, including the possibility of unanticipated costs relating to the operation of our new facility; any technological breakthrough or medical breakthrough that would render the Company's business of stem cell preservation obsolete; any material failure or malfunction in our storage facilities; any natural disaster such as a tornado, other disaster (fire) or act of terrorism that adversely affects stored specimens; the costs associated with defending or prosecuting litigation matters and any material adverse result from such matters; decreases in asset valuations; any continued negative effect from adverse publicity in the past year regarding the Company's business operations; any negative consequences resulting from deriving, shipping and storing specimens at a second location; and other risks and uncertainties. The foregoing list is not exhaustive, and the Company disclaims any obligations to subsequently revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements. Readers should carefully review the risk factors described in other documents the Company files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the most recent Annual Report on Form 10-KSB, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-QSB and any Current Reports on Form 8-K filed by the Company.
Cryo-Cell International, Inc.CONTACT: Denise Roche of The Ruth Group, Inc., +1-646-536-7008, ordroche@theruthgroup.com, for Cryo-Cell International, Inc.
Web site: http://www.cryo-cell.com/
