Company overview

Cells4life was founded in 2002 and was the first private company to offer a stem cell storage and collection service in the UK.

As doctors and scientists, the founders were aware of the potential benefits of umbilical cord blood stem cells but were unable to find a company that offered the level of service and support they thought was required for this specialised medical service.  So they decided to found their own, scientifically  and medically led, stem cell storage bank.

"Our philosophy from the outset has been that of information provision and providing an ethical approach to cord blood storage, together with the highest standards of laboratory practice.

Cells4Life is about giving parents a choice. By making clinical, scientific and evidence-based information available to parents we hope to allow them to make an informed decision about cord blood storage. We are working very hard to set the standards in the testing, processing and assessment of these precious samples. The UK is now one of the leading countries in stem research and development: we want to remain at the clinical forefront of this in order to benefit patients.”

The Board of Directors

Wayne Channon BSc ARCS

Chairman

Wayne is a successful entrepreneur with experience of managing high growth companies from start-up to exit.  He has run companies in both Europe and the US.  Wayne also chairs Stabilitech (www.stabilitech.com) the leading virus and protein stabilisation company and is on the board of Quy Biosciences (www.medcell.com), the leading stem cell therapy company.  Amongst his companies, he founded ilion group plc which grew to be Europe's second largest networking distribution group with revenues of €500 million, operating in 9 countries.  ilion was subsequently floated on the Official List of the London Stock Exchange.  Wayne graduated from Imperial College with a 1st in mathematical physics and joined IBM in sales and marketing.  

Dr Jeff Drew BSc PhD

Scientific Director

Jeff holds a PhD in Molecular Virology and has 14 years experience in microbiology, cancer and genetic research. He is the Scientific Director of Cells4Life responsible for the management of the Cells4Life laboratory headquarters in Sussex. Jeff also oversees the scientific advancement of the service and laboratory ensuring Cells4Life are at the forefront of stem cell research and its applications.