LifeCell International, one of the leading stem cell storage companies in India on Wednesday announced its partnership with Sequel Logistics, company that specialises in critical logistics, to offer 'Personalized Shipment Service' of the umbilical cord blood and tissue samples.
The initiative is critical in healthcare logistics whereby stem cells of the new born will be shipped through Sequel’s partner airlines via the next available flight to LifeCell’s processing and storage facility in Chennai. It is important for stem cell preservation since the sample will reach the laboratory for testing and processing within 24 hours from metro cities and 36 hours from non-metro cities.
A company spokesperson said, "While there would be no direct impact on revenues, however, the move is expected to boost customers' confidence and would eventually convert into business growth for us." The company is expecting a 30 per cent growth in revenues this fiscal over last year. "At LifeCell we estimate to generate revenues in excess of 100 Crores in this financial year", the spokesperson added.
The Gujarat market currently contributes around 7 per cent of LifeCell's overall business, and is clocking a 25 per cent growth rate every year. LifeCell has presence in all the major cities in the state including Ahmedabad, Surat, Bhavnagar, Jamnagar, Rajkot and Vadodara.
The current size of stem cell banking industry is around 40,000 enrolments per year and the industry has been growing at 30 per cent in the recent past. "This first of a kind initiative by LifeCell offers the fastest time by any company in the industry in reaching the collected samples to the laboratory for processing", a company statement claimed.
Currently the industry is serviced with dedicated cargo handlers who operate on an overnight hub-and-spoke model.
