Cell therapy research

The Finnish Red Cross Blood Service (FRCBS) has pursued active research in stem cells and cell therapy since 2002 and has produced over 100 peer-reviewed publications in the area.

The current focus lies in translational cell therapy research, the biology of mesenchymal stromal/stem cells and novel immunotherapies.

Our Advanced Cell Therapy Center (ACTC) has a GMP cleanroom facility that has been inspected and licensed by the national competent authority (Fimea), and where novel advanced cell therapy products can be produced for clinical use and according to current legislation.

Currently, allogeneic mesenchymal stromal/stem cells are being produced for the treatment of refractory graft-versus-host disease in Finnish hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients (Salmenniemi et al. 2017; Keto et al. 2018). We also serve the Finnish hospitals with graft engineering services such as advanced cell selections to enable haploidentical stem cell transplantations. We are also experienced in isolating keratinocytes for the experimental treatment of severe burn victims.

European infrastructure for translational medicine

EATRIS member

The FRCBS is a member of the EATRIS research infrastructure ATMP platform and TissueCure Alliance Finland.

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Immune Cell Therapy - logo

iCell – Immune Cell Therapy of Cancer

The iCell group at the Finnish Red Cross Blood Service is engaged in basic research and translational projects aimed at understanding immune cell characteristics and bringing them toward translation to the clinic as cell therapies.

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