ESPERITE N.V. (ESP) WITH CRYOSAVE CONTRIBUTES TO TREATING A 9 YEAR OLD CHILD WITH THALASSEMIA MAJOR IN SWITZERLAND

CryoSave confirms the importance of cord blood stem cells in regenerative medicine.

Last week, CryoSave released a cord blood stem cell unit from the state of the art laboratory in Geneva for the clinical treatment of a young boy who suffers from thalassemia major. The 9 year old patient will receive an allogeneic transplant in Switzerland of the cord blood stem cells from his now 2 year old brother.

Zutphen, The Netherlands - 25 April 2017

Beta thalassemia, is a genetic abnormality of the hemoglobin molecule whereby patients do not transport oxygen properly in their red blood cells. From around 2 years of age, children typically become chronically anemic, tired and prone to infection. They fail to grow normally and are, in the severest cases, dependent on blood transfusions for survival, with the inherent risks and complications that this may bring.

Hemoglobinopathies are included in the current list of around 70 diseases that can be treated with stem cells. They are a group of genetic defects that result in the abnormal structure of one of the globin chains of the hemoglobin molecule that is responsible for carrying oxygen in the blood. It affects over 200 million people in some form, 4.7 million of them severely, mostly in families of Greek, Italian middle Eastern and southern Asian or African descent. Stem cell transplantation offers a chance of a cure by rebooting the hematopoietic system to produce normal red blood cells contain normal hemoglobin. The best possible donor in this scenario is a perfectly HLA matched sibling as in this case.

Stem cells are present in the human body throughout life, constantly repairing tissue damaged by normal activity, environment and other extraneous factors. Aware of this inherent ability of stem cells to regenerate biological functionalities, medical researchers believe that stem cells treatments have the potential to change the face of human suffering by providing treatments for many currently incurable diseases.

The first umbilical cord blood stem cell transplant has been performed in 1988 and since then more than 36'000 transplants have been completed worldwide. Cord blood is rich in stem cells that have a high proliferative and differentiation potential.

Banking cord blood is a way of preserving potentially life-saving cells that usually get thrown away after birth. Increasing number of families throughout the world are choosing to store stem cells from the umbilical cord blood and umbilical cord tissue of their newborn children. The collection procedure poses no risk to the mother or the newborn and storing these cells makes them available for potential therapy in the future and therefore a form of insurance for life. Under private storage, from the moment of collection the stem cells are the property of the child under the guardianship of the parents. The cells will be safely stored in case the child or a family member needs them.

CRYOSAVE is the largest European allogenic and autologous private stem cell bank fully authorized for transplantations by the National Swiss Agency for therapeutic products and fully accredited as a licensed Organ and Tissue Establishment.

The state of the art laboratory in Geneva, Switzerland has an ideal location at the heart of Europe offering regulatory and geopolitical stability. Protected by advanced regulations, the Geneva Health Valley represents a hub of excellence and innovation.

CryoSave believes that the Cord Blood and Cord Tissue should be saved, either in a family bank or made available for public use or research. Thanks to thoughtful parents
and CryoSave's high quality cryopreservation, numerous Stem Cells samples have been used to treat patients with Aplastic Anaemia, Congenital immunodeficiency, Cerebral Palsy, Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia, Medulloblastoma.

About ESPERITE

ESPERITE Group (www.esperite.com), listed at Euronext Amsterdam and Paris ESP, established in 2000, is the leading international company in regenerative and predictive medicine, operational in almost 40 countries with a network of 6'000 clinics worldwide. ESPERITE serves clients in its state-of-the-art lab facilities in Switzerland, Belgium, Germany, Dubai, South Africa and Portugal. 

CryoSave (www.cryo-save.com) is Esperite's leading international stem cell processing and cryo-conservation company and the largest family stem cell bank in Europe, which offers umbilical cord blood and cord tissue storage to parents. The family stem cell bank, CryoSave (www.cryo-save.com), stores 300'000 samples from umbilical cord blood and cord tissue.

Genoma (www.genoma.com) is Esperite's portfolio which comprises innovative tests based on sequencing and genomics: Tranquility, a non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT) and proteomics: Verity, a metabolic disorder test and Serenity, a breast cancer screening test. Esperite is already working on the development of some other exclusive technologies in collaboration with the market leaders in this field.

The Cell Factory (www.cell-factory.com) is Esperite's know how R&D division, at the heart of the value chain, between stem cells collection & storage and the existing and future treatments in the regenerative medicine. Esperite, mainly focused on autologous treatments, will play a key role in research for the development of new medical treatments, in partnership with medical research center, public universities and private partners.

To learn more about the ESPERITE Group, or to book an interview with CEO Mr. Frédéric Amar: +31 575 548 998 - ir@esperite.com or visit the website at www.esperite.com.

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