26
JOHN DANIEL HOLDINGS LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2011
Cryo-Save, is the leading international family stem cell
bank, and stores over 200 000 samples from cord blood
and umbilical cord tissue for newborns and adipose tis-
sue for adults. Cryo-Save is now represented in 40 coun-
tries on four continents, with ultra-modern processing
and storage facilities in Belgium, Germany, Dubai, India,
North America, France (validation is in progress) and now
in South Africa.
The Cryo-Save brand has been present in South Africa for
over nine years and has always been synonymous with
state of the art protocols and ethical practice. The com-
pany has until now exported raw unprocessed samples
to the main laboratory in Neil, Belgium, for harvesting
processing and storage of the stem cells.
In June an agreement was concluded whereby the par-
ent company Cryo-Save NV (listed on the Netherlands
stock exchange) and JDH established the new company,
Cryo-Save SA. The agreement provided for the new com-
pany to take over the trading of both the old Cryo-Save
SA as well as Lazaron Biotechnologies SA limited. More
significantly Cryo-Save NV invested in a brand new state
of the art laboratory, purpose designed for the harvest-
ing and storage of hematopoietic and mesenchymal
stem cells. The laboratory is managed and maintained to
Cryo-Save’s high international standards.
Cryo-Save South Africa opened its state-of-the-art stem
cell processing and storage laboratory in Cape Town,
South Africa onWednesday 14th September with a cock-
tail party attended by the media, dignitaries from the
medical profession and clients. The new laboratory is
equipped with technology and protocols on a par with
best international practice. Cryo-Save South Africa has
employed professional, dedicated and highly-skilled
staff to operate the new laboratory. Key personnel have
undergone further specialised training at Cryo-Save’s
world class facility in Belgium. The South African client
now has access to the Cryo-Save quality from the labora-
tory in Cape Town, a service which was previously only
available by exporting the samples to Europe.The option
to export the samples for processing and storage in the
Belgium facility is a service which the company also con-
tinues to offer.
The combination of two listed companies from different
continents provides the highest level of security possible
to our clients and the initial indications are that South
African parents are desirous of the services. Another first
in South Africa is the option clients have to dual store a
sample in South Africa as well as offshore in Europe.
The new laboratory processed and stored the first cord
tissue and stem cells from cord blood on Wednesday
14th September 2011. The service to store the stem cells
in Belgium will continue should a client prefer this option.
The start up has been very successful and the new or-
ganisation established two new sales records with the
first three months of operation, a significant achieve-
ment considering the fact that Cryo-Save has operated
in South Africa for over nine years.
The new company further demonstrates JDH’s drive to
acquire high technology businesses which have the po-
tential to provide substantial and sustainable returns for
our stakeholders.
The company intends expanding rapidly into Africa and
hopes to ultimately become a centre of excellence for
stem cell technology in the region.
Cryo-Save South Africa (Pty) Ltd