Reliance, BCCL eye stem cell banking

Adult stem cell collection and banking is turning into a big business in the country with corporate majors like Reliance and Bennett, Coleman (BCCL) gearing up to tap the huge growth potential in the sector.

The companies are setting up repositories to deposit umbilical cord blood samples to provide transplantation materials to those who need them for treatment of blood-related disorders.

Reliance Life Sciences (RLS), which claims to have South Asia's first stem cells enriched cord blood repository, has already installed machines that can store up to 35,000 specimens. RLS is likely to install 12 such machines more within 3-6 months, depending on the requirement.

BCCL has taken a stake in LifeCell, the pioneers in India for stem cell banking, research and therapy.