CBA Foundation Receives Second Major Grant

Funding will help advance a cerebral palsy and autism expanded-access study

Issued:  March 28, 2018

The recently created Cord Blood Association Foundation has received a $100,000 grant from the Cord Blood Registry/AMAG Pharmaceuticals for its scientific, educational and philanthropic projects.

The grant is the second major contribution to the foundation, whose initial project will be a multi-center study that provides expanded access to autologous and related cord blood infusion for children with cerebral palsy and autism.

“The Cord Blood Registry has long been committed to supporting research on the use of cord blood to treat a variety of diseases from cerebral palsy and autism to hearing loss and Type I diabetes,” said Heather Brown, CBR Vice President of Scientific and Medical Affairs.  “We are excited to support the foundation’s scientific research efforts to explore cord blood’s potential in regenerative medicine applications.”

Recently published clinical studies have suggested that cells contained in umbilical cord blood may be beneficial in treating neurological disorders including autism and cerebral palsy.  The multi-center trial conducted through the CBA Foundation will allow for collection of additional clinical data to determine if the preliminary results can be confirmed in a larger group of patients with these disorders.

“Cord Blood Registry’s generous contribution allows the CBA Foundation to advance research on the clinical applications of cord blood and cord tissue,” said Joanne Kurtzberg, MD, the foundation’s president.  “With the support of CBR and others we can expand access to cord blood infusions through the multi-site study for children with acquired brain injury.”