China builds first super donor stem cell bank in Hefei

China's first super donor stem cell bank can now cover 14 percent of the national population, or 200 million people, according to a report released by the Anhui Society for Stem Cell in Hefei, capital of Anhui province, on Aug 1.

The bank, which is focused on the scientific research and clinical development of stem cell therapies, has cell lines from 12 super donors whose stem cells can match the widest range of recipients.

Patients who need to undergo cell therapies can seek compatible cells from the bank after identifying their genotype at hospital. Cell drug makers may also use seed cells from the bank to mass produce universal cell drugs.

Many countries around the world such as Japan, the United States and the United Kingdom have been building their own super donor stem cell banks. An institute led by Japanese Nobel Prize-winning stem cell researcher Shinya Yamanaka is currently building a bank that is expected to cover 85 percent of Japan's population.

The Anhui Society for Stem Cell has since 2018 been working to build the super donor stem cell bank in collaboration with universities, hospitals, scientific research institutes and enterprises. The facility has also won support from provincial and national departments.

After presenting the recent achievements of the bank, the Anhui Society for Stem Cell announced the establishment of the Expert Committee for Cell Bank, which will further the progress of the bank to benefit more people.