ASIA Records is proud to officially recognise CryoCord for achieving the milestone:
First and Most Mesenchymal Stem Cells Cultured by a Private Stem Cell Bank Laboratory (Storage service first launched 2009; MSC culturing commenced November 2008; 1.71 trillion MSCs cumulatively cultured as of November 2025)
The recognition acknowledges CryoCord’s sustained work in mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) cultivation, beginning in November 2008 and reaching a cumulative total of approximately 1.71 trillion MSCs as of November 2025.
The achievement reflects more than 17 years of laboratory activity in this specialised field and marks an important milestone in CryoCord Group’s development from stem cell banking into a broader organisation involved in cell and gene technologies, regenerative medicine research, cell processing, and clinical translation.
Building More Than Two Decades of Experience in Cell and Gene Technologies
Established in 2002, CryoCord Group is headquartered at the Bio-X Centre in Cyberjaya, Malaysia.
Over more than two decades, the group has expanded from cord blood banking into areas including mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), natural killer (NK) cells, CAR T-cell technologies, extracellular particles, regenerative medicine research, and specialised cell processing.
CryoCord commenced the culturing of mesenchymal stem cells in November 2008, followed by the launch of a range of MSC storage services in 2009.
Since then, the organisation has continued to build its laboratory infrastructure, technical capabilities, research activities, and specialised expertise while expanding its regional operations.
According to its company information, CryoCord Group has stored more than 70,000 biological samples and has developed operations in both Malaysia and Indonesia, including a branch office and laboratory in Jakarta.
Reaching 1.71 Trillion Mesenchymal Stem Cells
According to CryoCord’s cumulative laboratory records updated through November 2025, the organisation had cultured a total of 1,713,032.8 million mesenchymal stem cells, equivalent to approximately 1.71 trillion cells.
The cumulative figure comprises 949,122.4 million allogeneic and customised CordMSCs, 763,012.3 million Infant CordMSCs, and 898.1 million ToothMSCs.
Together, these figures form the measurable basis of the ASIA Records recognition.
The 1.71 trillion figure represents the cumulative number of MSCs cultured over the recognised period rather than the number of biological samples stored. It documents the scale and continuity of CryoCord’s MSC cultivation activities from November 2008 through November 2025.
The milestone also reflects the progression of CryoCord’s laboratory activities over time, from its early work in stem cell banking and MSC cultivation to a wider range of cell-processing and biotechnology capabilities.
Expanding into Cell and Gene Technologies
CryoCord’s development has extended beyond conventional stem cell banking as the organisation continues to broaden its capabilities across the cell and gene technology field.
Its areas of activity include mesenchymal stem cells, natural killer cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, CAR T-cell technologies, extracellular particles, regenerative medicine research, and other cell-processing technologies.
The group has also secured 15 granted patents, comprising three United States patents and 12 Malaysian patents, while its scientific and medical teams have collectively contributed to more than 300 peer-reviewed scientific publications.
CryoCord’s laboratory infrastructure includes specialised cleanroom and cell-processing capabilities. Its company information states that its laboratory is accredited by the Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies (AABB) and holds cGMP certification under requirements regulated by Malaysia’s National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA).
These developments demonstrate CryoCord’s continued progression from biological sample storage towards a wider role in cell processing, research, manufacturing, and clinical translation.
Supporting Research and Responsible Clinical Translation
The continued development of cell and gene technologies depends on the careful progression of scientific work from laboratory research through preclinical studies and appropriately conducted clinical research.
CryoCord’s development over the years has included involvement in research relating to mesenchymal stem cells and CAR T-cell technologies, alongside collaborations with academic, medical, and research institutions.
Its company milestones include involvement in Ministry of Health Malaysia-approved clinical research involving umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells, as well as subsequent work involving other cell-based technologies.
The organisation has continued to invest in the research process across laboratory studies, preclinical development, and clinical research, with an emphasis on responsible translation as emerging technologies progress towards potential clinical applications.
The ASIA Records recognition relates specifically to CryoCord’s cumulative MSC cultivation milestone and does not represent a claim regarding therapeutic efficacy, clinical superiority, or treatment outcomes.
A Milestone Moment of Recognition
The ASIA Records certificate was officially presented on 6 August 2026 during the Cell & Gene Therapy Congress 2026, held at The Vertical, Connexion Conference & Event Centre, The Summit 1 Ballroom (Level M1).
Held from 6 to 8 August 2026 under the theme “Translating Research to Real World Therapy,” the congress brought together clinicians, scientists, researchers, industry participants, and policymakers to examine developments in cell and gene therapy, including translational research, clinical applications, regulatory considerations, ethics, safety, and emerging technologies.
The recognition was received by James Then Khong Lek, Managing Director of CryoCord Group, together with Don Calaki, Head of AI and Digital Systems at CryoCord Group.
The presentation was witnessed by Guest of Honour Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Abu Bakar Suleiman, Chancellor of International Medical University and Clinical Advisor to the Minister of Health of Malaysia.
The occasion carried particular relevance to CryoCord’s recognised achievement as the congress placed significant focus on mesenchymal stem and stromal cells, with scientific sessions examining their biology, production, clinical development, regulatory considerations, emerging applications, and translation from research into practice.
Voices of Leadership
Reflecting on the recognition and CryoCord’s journey, James Then Khong Lek, Managing Director of CryoCord Group, shared:
“This recognition is meaningful not only for CryoCord, but also for Malaysia. Over more than 20 years, we have continued to invest in the stem cell field, beginning with cord blood storage and later expanding into mesenchymal stem cells and other areas of cell technology. Reaching this milestone reflects the effort our team has put into building our capabilities and maintaining the quality of our work over the years.
“Malaysia has also made significant progress in regenerative medicine and biotechnology. We have a well-established healthcare system, an increasingly strong pool of talent coming through our universities, a supportive regulatory environment, and a growing number of GMP laboratories. These strengths give Malaysia good potential to continue developing its cell and gene technology capabilities and to participate more actively on the international stage.
“Looking ahead, CryoCord will continue investing in research, from laboratory studies and preclinical work through to carefully conducted clinical research. We are also continuing to develop our capabilities in newer areas of cell and gene technology. These fields require careful and responsible progress, particularly when translating research into clinical studies, and that is an area we intend to continue supporting for the long term.”
His remarks reflect CryoCord’s continued focus on research, technical development, quality, and responsible clinical translation, while also highlighting the capabilities developing within Malaysia’s regenerative medicine and biotechnology ecosystem.
Advancing Cell and Gene Technology Across Asia
CryoCord’s recognition highlights the sustained laboratory infrastructure, scientific expertise, quality systems, and technical processes involved in culturing mesenchymal stem cells consistently over an extended period.
From the commencement of MSC cultivation in November 2008 to a cumulative 1.71 trillion cells by November 2025, the milestone documents more than 17 years of specialised laboratory activity.
It also comes at a time when universities, medical institutions, biotechnology organisations, regulators, researchers, and industry participants across Asia are increasingly examining the development and responsible translation of cell and gene technologies.
The Cell & Gene Therapy Congress 2026 reflected this wider development through sessions covering mesenchymal stromal cells, emerging cell-based technologies, clinical research, regulatory frameworks, ethics, patient safety, manufacturing, and clinical translation.
For Malaysia, continued development in this field is supported by a combination of scientific research, university training, healthcare infrastructure, specialised laboratories, regulatory frameworks, and growing technical expertise.
Through its continuing investment in research, laboratory capabilities, manufacturing processes, and emerging cell technologies, CryoCord aims to contribute to the development of Malaysia’s cell and gene technology ecosystem while strengthening its participation within the wider Asian biotechnology community.
About CryoCord
CryoCord Group is a Malaysian cell and gene therapeutics organisation established in 2002 and headquartered at the Bio-X Centre in Cyberjaya, Malaysia.
The group has evolved from a cord blood storage provider into an integrated biotechnology organisation with activities spanning stem cell and immune cell banking, mesenchymal stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, natural killer cells, CAR T-cell technologies, extracellular particles, regenerative medicine research, cell processing, and clinical translation.
CryoCord Group has stored more than 70,000 biological samples, secured 15 granted patents, comprising three United States patents and 12 Malaysian patents, and contributed to more than 300 peer-reviewed scientific publications.
As of November 2025, CryoCord had cumulatively cultured approximately 1.71 trillion mesenchymal stem cells, forming the basis of its official recognition by ASIA Records.
Through continued investment in scientific research, specialised laboratory capabilities, quality systems, and responsible clinical translation, CryoCord Group continues to develop its role within Malaysia and Asia’s evolving cell and gene technology landscape.
