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Launch HN: Forever Labs (YC S17) – Stem-Cell Banking

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Re: Launch HN: Forever Labs (YC S17) – Stem-Cell Banking

#41

Post by markkat »

dr_ wrote: post #35

Hi Mark, Would this be different from than "cord banking", which is offered to new parents? I don't mean in the technique, I mean in the type of cells retrieved and their potential long term benefit. I only ask because the American College of Obstetrics current position is not to store cord blood as a form of "biologic insurance" ( https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26595583 ) and was wondering what your thoughts on…

As mentioned elsewhere here:

>>The cell populations are actually quite similar; there are both mesenchymal and hematopoietic stem cells in cord blood and bone marrow. In many ways, our service is 'cord blood banking for adults'. However, unlike a cord blood bank, we are developing potential rejuvenative therapies using these cells.

The use of cord blood stem cells has been dramatically low. I believe that around 1 in 14000 are used. That said, cord blood has long intended to be only used for rare blood cancers.

We see the landscape changing, using such cells for age-related disease, but also for rejuvenation. Given the low historical use, it's little wonder why storage isn't seen as high-priority. Personally, I see the young biology in cord blood as an asset that will grow in value. However, it should be noted that cord blood storage has been found to be of variable quality, it's worth going with a reputable service.

Re: Launch HN: Forever Labs (YC S17) – Stem-Cell Banking

#42

Post by brandonmenc »

markkat wrote: post #9
robg wrote: post #5

What happens to my stem cells if you go out of business?

We currently have enough clients that the annual storage fees paid in more than cover the costs of our repository. We are actively pursuing two options to address this possibility: 1) The cell banking service is a separate entity, and all of us who have banked continue to pay into that entity keeping it funded, even if Forever Labs were to dissolve, and 2) An insurance policy covers long-term storage if Forever Labs…

What about redundancy? I'd like an option to bank at multiple locations.

Re: Launch HN: Forever Labs (YC S17) – Stem-Cell Banking

#43

Post by markkat »

codecamper wrote: post #40

How is this better than using skin cells to create induced pluripotent cells?

Currently, iPS has a high risk of teratoma or malignancy. We haven't yet been able to induce pluripotency in a safe manner. I do believe that it is likely that one day we will overcome this obstacle, however having youthful multipotent cells will remain an advantage then. Age-damage to cells increases the risk of malignancy when inducing stemness.

Re: Launch HN: Forever Labs (YC S17) – Stem-Cell Banking

#45

Post by michaelbuckbee »

Is this service necessary only because of US legal restrictions about growing stem cells in a lab?

I'd even be interested to know just your general take on US vs International regulations on stem cell research and if it affected how you built Foreverlabs.

Re: Launch HN: Forever Labs (YC S17) – Stem-Cell Banking

#47

Post by [deleted] »

AndrewKemendo wrote: post #15

I like it but there are some major questions: 1. What kind of stem cells do you get from bone marrow pluripotent? 2. Do we know how long samples last in cryo-preservation? Eg. is there any example of a 60 year old stem cell that was able to actually seed something biologically functional? 3. Is there a roadmap for some system that tells the user how and when they would request their cells to be used? Or is it just ba…

[deleted]

Re: Launch HN: Forever Labs (YC S17) – Stem-Cell Banking

#49

Post by markkat »

narrator wrote: post #46

Let's say I put my stem cells in storage last month. What can I do now with banked stem cells if I needed them for some reason? Can I fix my knees from my banked wisdom tooth stem cells? Are the benefits all just hypothetical and in the future currently?

The benefits are not hypothetical, but are in the clinical trial phase. Numerous are phase 3, however. That said, this is not a 'save for next week' service. The idea is that your young biology will likely be advantageous, as the decline in your stem cell health is certain.

>Can I fix my knees from my banked wisdom tooth stem cells?

That might be possible, but isn't currently. Most trials for osteoarthritis use mesenchymal stem cells isolated from bone marrow or adipose tissue. It remains to be seen if the FDA approves cells by type or source-specific. Typically, all variables that can be controlled for are, so source-specific cells will probably be the initial requirement.

Re: Launch HN: Forever Labs (YC S17) – Stem-Cell Banking

#50

Post by loceng »

markkat wrote: post #32
reiinakano wrote: post #23

How much do you take? Do you think this is enough for any number of possible use cases in the future e.g. multiple diseases, experimental treatments, etc. Is there a real possibility of running out of banked stem cells?

We collect 60mL. There are normally about 10-15M nucleated cells recovered per mL of bone marrow. Stem cell counts are typically 0.01% of this (MSCs are about 1000/mL). We bank the cells in multiple chambers (3 larger ones, 5-6 smaller ones) so that you can draw them up multiple times. As they can be greatly expanded, it is our intent that the cells be grown to large numbers and then those portions cryopreserved. As…

Can you clarify what negative effects of expansion means? Thanks
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