Cryo-Cell International Recognized by Tampa Bay Technology Forum
26 Octobre 2009 - 12:43PM
PR Newswire (US)
Company Selected As Finalist for 2009 Innovation of the Year Award
OLDSMAR, Fla., Oct. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Cryo-Cell
International, Inc. ("Company") a global leader in stem cell
innovation, has been named a finalist for the Tampa Bay Technology
Forum's (TBTF) Innovation of the Year award. TBTF selected
finalists within five categories who will compete at the
organization's 6th Annual Industry Achievement Awards to be held
November 12. Debora Winfree, senior vice president at a prominent
Tampa-based financial services company, nominated Cryo-Cell as the
company which exemplifies Tampa Bay's burgeoning center for
innovative entrepreneurs in high-tech industries. Cryo-Cell's
breakthrough discovery of C'elle menstrual stem cell technology,
rapid global expansion of its proprietary service and scientific
research partnerships, and solid leadership by a female CEO all
were specific examples on which Winfree based her nomination. The
C'elle service is the first and only one of its kind, empowering
women to collect and cryopreserve stem cells from their own
menstrual flow. Stem cells harvested from menstrual blood are
proven to be a rich source of undifferentiated stem cells which
proliferate rapidly and have the ability to become many different
types of cells such as cardiac, neural, bone, fat and cartilage.
These stem cells are a potential source for promising regenerative
therapies that may possibly treat debilitating diseases in the
future. Since launching its proprietary service in 2007, Cryo-Cell
continues to expand research and development initiatives worldwide
in order to accelerate the potential diagnostic and therapeutic
benefits of these unique stem cells. The Company has announced
eight partnerships to date with globally renowned researchers and
organizations including the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Clinical Center, where research is underway to better understand
the C'elle stem cells and their potential benefit for the treatment
of breast cancer. Pre-clinical studies are underway to identify
future potential diagnostic and therapeutic utilization of
menstrual stem cells to possibly treat a broad range of disorders
such as diabetes, stroke, vascular regeneration, endometriosis,
stress urinary incontinence and wound-healing. This year alone
C'elle menstrual stem cell technology has been licensed in China,
Thailand and Brazil. "As a world-renowned pioneer in the stem cell
industry and a company growing despite our economic climate,
Cryo-Cell has helped to put Tampa Bay on the map as a leader in
fostering high-tech industry businesses, the strength of women in
leadership, and is a perfect example of the caliber of technology
entrepreneurs for which our area continues to be recognized," said
Winfree. "Renowned financial industry press have acknowledged the
seismic potential of Cryo-Cell's technology and praised its
business model which includes aggressive R&D and international
expansion. I'm confident that Cryo-Cell will continue to shine the
spotlight on Tampa Bay's blossoming technology industry and attract
like-minded entrepreneurs to benefit our region," she added. Ms.
Winfree also commented on the impression that Mercedes Walton as a
woman leading a high-tech company made. "I was inspired by Ms.
Walton's passion and her determination to empower women to take
steps to protect their health and well-being. She's a great example
of the growing numbers of women who are breaking ground in science
and technology disciplines," she concluded. "The entire Cryo-Cell
organization is very proud to be nominated and recognized by the
Tampa Bay Technology Forum for the Company's technological
innovation and global expansion," said Cryo-Cell International CEO
Mercedes Walton. "We are genuinely honored by Ms. Winfree's
enthusiasm and support. As a finalist for this highly prestigious
award, Cryo-Cell is privileged to be among the region's
leading-edge companies in Tampa's emerging technology industry, and
we look forward to next month's event," she added. Founded in 2000,
TBTF is a professional association that brings together the
region's growing number of thriving technology and internet-based
company entrepreneurs. It currently has more than 450 member
organizations representing more than 45,000 employees. Through its
networks, events, education, networking, advocacy and philanthropy
programs, the organization provides a unique catalyst for
relationship creation and collaborative partnerships. A pioneer in
the non-controversial stem cell arena with its U-Cord® service for
collection and cryopreservation of cord blood stem cells, Cryo-Cell
has served nearly 185,000 clients worldwide. Stem cells from
umbilical cord blood treat more than 75 diseases today, including
sickle cell disease, several types of acute and chronic leukemias,
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and Hodgkin's disease. Emerging science
shows great promise for potential treatments utilizing cord blood
stem cells including spinal cord injury, heart disease, breast
cancer, stroke, diabetes, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease
and many more. For more information, or to schedule an interview
with Cryo-Cell International executives, please contact Monica
Kozak at (203) 545-1055; . About C'elle The C'elle(SM) service was
introduced in November 2007 as the first and only service that
empowers women to collect and cryopreserve menstrual flow
containing undifferentiated adult stem cells for future utilization
by the donor or possibly their first-degree relatives in a manner
similar to umbilical cord blood stem cells. For more information,
visit http://www.celle.com/. About Cryo-Cell International, Inc.
(OTC:CCEL) (BULLETIN BOARD: CCEL) Based in Oldsmar, Florida, with
nearly 185,000 clients worldwide, Cryo-Cell is a global leader in
stem cell innovation. 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. For more information, please call 1-800-STOR-CELL
(1-800-786-7235) or visit http://www.cryo-cell.com/. DATASOURCE:
Cryo-Cell International, Inc. CONTACT: Media, Monica Kozak,
+1-203-545-1055, Web Site: http://www.cryo-cell.com/
Copyright