Hellenic Cord Blood Bank (HCBB)
4 Soranou Efessiou Str., 115 27 Athens, Greece
+30 210 6597697, +30 210 6597331
hcbb@bioacademy.gr | info-hcbb@bioacademy.gr

Cord Blood Donation - An invaluable gift of life for everyone

The Hellenic Cord Blood Bank (HCBB) operates within the Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens in accordance with Article 55 of Law 3984/2011. HCBB is licensed by the Greek Ministry of Health under Ministerial Decision G2g/G.P.7288 (Government Gazette Β’ 2390/15-05-2025).

The Hellenic Cord Blood Bank complies with the new European regulatory framework for the quality and safety of Substances of Human Origin (SoHO), according to Regulation (EU) 2024/1938, implementing strict quality and safety standards.
 

HCBB is active in the collection, processing, quality control, and cryopreservation of biological material, specifically:

• hematopoietic stem cells derived from cord blood and mobilized peripheral blood,
• umbilical cord tissue.

Cord blood is a valuable source of hematopoietic stem cells widely used in the treatment of severe hematological and other diseases, contributing to the restoration of the hematopoietic and immune systems.

HCBB actively participates in national and European research programs, including HFRI and ESPA-funded projects, as well as joint European initiatives for the development of policies and best practices in the field of substances of human origin.

Services

The Hellenic Cord Blood Bank provides:

• Voluntary collection, isolation, processing, cryopreservation, and quality control services for hematopoietic stem cells derived from publicly donated cord blood for use in allogeneic transplantation for hematological diseases, contributing to the availability of grafts for patients in Greece and internationally.
• Family/private umbilical cord tissue banking services.
• Training and scientific support for physicians and midwives regarding cord blood collection procedures.
• Public awareness and education regarding the potential and applications of cellular therapies.
• Support services for hospitals in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from peripheral blood, as well as cellular and gene therapy applications.
• Processing and quality control services for cellular products and biological material exclusively for research use (Research Use Only – RUO).
• Production of small-scale cellular therapies under GMP-like conditions.
• Consulting services for public and private institutions regarding FACT, JACIE, WMDA, and ISO standards.

Certifications and Accreditations

HCBB follows strict quality standards and holds international certifications and accreditations:

• Accreditation by the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT).
• Certification as an active provider of cord blood units for the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) under code GR10S.
• Registration of BRFAA as a European Tissue Establishment under code GR006420.
• Membership in international organizations such as EuroCord and FDA.
• ISBT 128 graft coding authorization from ICCBBA under code M0005.
• Participation in external quality assessment schemes for laboratory analyses (NEQAS and EQAS).

History

The Hellenic Cord Blood Bank began operations in spring 2003 with the aim of collecting, processing, and cryopreserving cord blood units.

In January 2006, HCBB released its first 100 cord blood units to the international NetCord registry, while in March 2007 it began providing units to the “Agia Sofia” Children’s Hospital for transplantation in patients with hematological diseases.

In 2011, HCBB provided its first cord blood unit for transplantation to a leukemia patient abroad.

Statistics

• Total stored cord blood units for allogeneic use (2008–2025): 3,200
• Total registered cord blood units in the Bone Marrow Donors Worldwide (BMDW) registry: 2,400

Between 2007 and 2017, HCBB provided 10 cord blood units to the “Agia Sofia” Children’s Hospital for directed allogeneic transplantation in pediatric patients.

Additionally, during the period 2011–2017, 10 cord blood units were released for unrelated allogeneic transplantation to transplant centers in Greece and abroad, including the United States and the United Kingdom.

In recent years, HCBB has developed significant research activity in the fields of cellular therapies, regenerative medicine, and tissue engineering.

Facilities and Infrastructure

HCBB operates modern facilities and specialized infrastructure, including:

• GMP Rooms Class B and C
• Quality control laboratory
• Cryostorage facilities with liquid nitrogen tanks at -190°C
• Calibrated and certified equipment
• Specialized scientific personnel

Contact

For further information, please contact the Hellenic Cord Blood Bank – Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens

4 Soranou Efessiou Str., 115 27 Athens, Greece
+30 210 6597697, +30 210 6597331
hcbb@bioacademy.gr | info-hcbb@bioacademy.gr