Biocell Center Corp. and Caritas Christi Health Care inked a deal to start a cryopreservation service for amniotic fluid stem cells.
The Italian biotech firm, which has its U.S. headquarters in Medford, Mass., and New England’s largest community hospital network will use Biocell’s method of preserving stem cells obtained during routine second-trimester amniocentesis procedures. The mesenchymal stem cells can be stored for decades and are believed to hold the key to treating or even eventually curing a raft of diseases. Parents can opt to preserve the cells for use in the event of future illness for themselves or their children.