International NetCord Foundation
Executive Committee Conference Call
Minutes
May 21, 2014
Committee
Members:
President Etienne Baudoux and Drs. Gesine Koegler, Joanne Kurtzberg,
Alexander Platz and Vanderson Rocha
Staff:
_______________
Holger Gressmann, Andrea King and Robert Krawisz
____________________________________________________________
The meeting was called to order by President Baudoux at 8:35 a.m. CDT.
I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approval of
Minutes
CONSENSUS: Approve the minutes of the Board of Directors meeting on
March 30, 2014.
II. EMDIScord UPDATE
Status
Reports
CONSENSUS: Direct Holger Gressmann to draft an e-mail to members (for
Executive Committee approval) regarding EMDIScord and NetCord serving as a
hub along with other locations.
CONSENSUS: Request Dr. Etienne Baudoux to continue his discussions with
potential connection points (French, Italian and Spanish Registries).
III. STRATEGIC PLANNING RETREAT
Draft Strategic
Planning Document
CONSENSUS: Approve the first draft of the Strategic Planning document
developed from the retreat in Milan (enclosed Exhibit). Members will be asked to
provide comments by June 15. The Board of Directors will be asked to approve
the final Strategic Planning document during its meeting on October 22 and start
development of Goals and Strategies.
IV. CORD BLOOD SUMMIT
Appoint NetCord
Representatives
CONSENSUS: Request Drs. Joanne Kurtzberg, Alexander Platz, Elizabeth
Sphall and Vanderson Rocha to represent NetCord at the Cord Blood Summit on
June 7, 2014 in San Francisco. Discussions will focus on the potential
establishment of a trade or professional association for public and private Cord
Blood Banks. CBB opinions and proposed actions will be discussed during the
next Executive Committee meeting.
NetCord Executive Committee
May 21, 2014
Page Two
V. DISCUSSION WITH AABB
Comparison of FACT
and AABB Standards
CONSENSUS: Request staff to provide information covering the statement made
by Kathy Loper to trade organization proponents that AABB and FACT
accreditation standards are similar. This topic will be discussed at the ASBMT
Executive Committee meeting on May 21.
VI. INFORMATION REPORT
The following informational report was received:
• 2014 Executive Committee Call Schedule – Dr. Baudoux
VII. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 a.m. CDT. The schedule for future meetings
was changed as follows:



Submitted by
Eliane Gluckman
By Bob Krawisz
Executive Committee – Wednesday, June 18
Executive Committee – Wednesday, September 10
Board of Directors – Wednesday, October 22 (GoToMeeting Conference
Call)
EXHIBIT
DRAFT NETCORD STRATEGIC PLAN
Milan Board of Directors Retreat
I.
NetCord Mission
The mission of the International NetCord Foundation is:
II.

To promote the highest quality in cord blood products through worldwide
standards and accreditation.

To balance global supply and demand for umbilical cord blood.

To encourage and facilitate the use of cord blood transplants by promoting
laboratory and clinical research and providing professional and public education.
Strategic Questions
Why Does NetCord Exist?

To create opportunities for the supply and use of cord blood products.

To upgrade cord blood banking and transplantation science worldwide
What should be NetCord's philosophy (i.e. the focus and direction for the
organization)?

Establish quality norms and promote the use of cord blood transplants as
standard of care globally.

Gather CBBs and sustain each other through exchange of information and
mutual collaborations.

Cord blood transplants in hematological and non-hematological clinical
indications.
Who is NetCord?

Principled, focused cord blood banks dedicated to the successful collection,
processing and distribution of cord blood products.

An international non-profit association of the most accredited cord blood banks.
What does NetCord represent?

The unified standards, banks and cord blood product market.

High quality CBBs (accredited or in their way toward accreditation).

Represents approximately 35 cord blood banks and institutes working in stem
cell transplants.
Whom does NetCord serve?

Two audiences: the cord blood banks and the end-users.

CBBs and transplantation centers.

Serves cord blood grafts globally via its virtual office according specific standards
(HLA, Graft Size, and Cell Count).
What does NetCord do as an organization?
III.

Should set forth the standards, require accreditation, and then actively promote
the use of cord blood products globally.

Exchange information between CBBs and gather them (together we are
stronger).

Interact with approximately 35 CBBs in crucial matters related to cord blood
laboratory and clinical research, inspect and accredit cord blood banks according
FACT standards.
Values
NetCord members hold in highest regard the following principles:

An umbilical cord blood donation is a gift of health and well-being to a seriously ill
patient. Donors should be held in high esteem, and the donation managed with
great respect.

Umbilical cord blood is a key component in the future of hematopoietic stem cell
therapy and regenerative medicine. Its potential will be realized through basic
and clinical research and greater professional and public awareness of the
therapeutic value of cord blood.

Cord blood has the greatest social value when donated to an accredited bank for
allogeneic use and made fully accessible to all potential patients.

For cord blood therapies to reach their full potential, cord blood banks must
maintain high standards to assure quality products, and the process for banking,
selecting and procuring stem cells must be accurate, efficient and economically
sustainable.
What are NetCord's Values (i.e. NetCord's core beliefs, NetCord's most deeply held
convictions, the ideals that NetCord holds in the highest regard, in good times and
in bad).
IV.

Collect the right cords at the right time, store them in the right banks, and make
them accessible to everyone.

Values excels on well-being of seriously ill patients diagnosed with hematological
or non-hematological diseases aided by high-quality and efficient cord blood
products for the reconstitution of hematopoietic system after high dose chemoradio therapy or for regenerative purposes in degenerative diseases.
Vision
The International NetCord Foundation and its members will be known throughout the
transplant community for highly ethical practice and quality standards, and for the value
of their products and services to transplant professionals and their patients.
What is NetCord’s Vision (i.e. a clear and compelling view of what NetCord must
be in the future, a statement so clearly stated and inspiring that people will feel a
strong desire to work together to arrive at this destination described in the
vision)?

Promote the best cord at the best time from the best bank.

Vision is the global standardization and harmonization of the highest quality
procedures and ethical practices in non-hematopoietic stem cell transplant
community.
V.
Benefits
Reasons why CBB join and maintain their NetCord membership:
VI.

To establish an image of credibility and quality.

Exchange of information between CBBs.

To increase CBB’s excellence and reputation in transplant community.
Role Definition
NetCord’s role in the education of the CBB (and BMT) community?
NetCord’s role in developing “policies” for CBB?
NetCord’s role in the future of the CBB and BMT community?
NetCord’s role in the education of the Cord Blood Bank and Blood and Marrow
Transplantation community?

Educate on cord blood quality standards and create opportunities for continued
improvement and learning.

Crucial to educate scientific community related to laboratory, regulatory and
transplant topics.
NetCord’s role in developing “policies” for Cord Blood Banks?

Assembling best practices/policies and making them available to member banks.

To develop well social impact policies related to public and private banking.
NetCord’s role in the future of the Cord Blood Bank and Blood and Marrow
Transplantation community?
VII.

Global advocate for cord blood banking and for cord blood product acceptance
as a standard treatment option.

More visibility of the organization is needed.

To design and develop committees and working groups focus on new clinical
indications in regenerative medicine.
SWOT Analysis Please list NetCord's top three Strengths:

NetCord-FACT Standards.

Education (online included.

Global presence and exchange of information between CBBs.
SWOT Analysis Please list NetCord's top three Weaknesses:

Lack of visibility of the organization.

NetCord does not represent all CBBs worldwide.

NetCord does not give enough support to CBBs which are in the process of
accreditation (stringent standards were developed but not enough help and
support is given).
SWOT Analysis Please list NetCord's top three Opportunities:

Greater development of continuing education opportunities for cord blood bank
staff.

More opportunities for CBBs and end-user transplant centers to meet and know
each other.

NetCord should be the organization which represent all CBBs (also the smaller
ones) and coordinate more collaborations and solidarity between CBBs.
SWOT Analysis Please list NetCord's top three Threats:

Reimbursement for cord blood products (country specific).

Frequency of other alternative transplantations (haplo) is increasing.

Is there a need to further increase the CBU-inventory worldwide? NetCord has to
face the evolution as it is going now: risk that big CBBs ship most of the CBUs
and that smaller CBBs ship less (NetCord should help to improve this imbalance
and should stimulate solidarity with the smaller CBBs with difficulties.