AM25-MN-14-L - Advancing Cord Blood Utilization: Building Pathways for Innovation and Clinical Adoption

Monday, October 27, 2025

2:30 PM - 3:30 PM PT

Room: SDCC 32

Speaker(s)

Christina Melief, PhD

Executive Director
National Cord Blood Network
Maple Valley, Washington

Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose

Program Chair(s)

Laura Staller, MHA, MLS(ASCP) (she/her/hers)

Manager, Customer Ready Products
NMDP
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose

Speaker(s)

Roger Horton

Head of Clinical Innovations and Partnerships
Anthony Nolan
Nottingham, England

Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose
Colleen Delaney, MD, MSc (she/her/hers)

VP and Chief Medical Officer; Interim Director; PI, Delaney Lab; Clinical Professor and Attending Physician, Stem Cell Transplant Service; Affiliate Investigator
Seattle Children’s Therapeutics (SCTx); Clinical Cell Processing Laboratory (CCPL); Seattle Children’s Research Institute (SCRI); University of WA, Dep’t of Pediatrics; Fred Hutch Cancer Center
seattle, Washington

Disclosure(s): No relevant disclosure to display
Erin O'Gara, PhD (she/her/hers)

Cord Blood Program Principal
NMDP
Saint Paul, Minnesota

Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose

Join registry representatives and industry experts for an in-depth exploration of tools and modern techniques for cord blood utilization. Leaders in the cord blood transplantation and innovative cord blood-based technologies, will share key clinical insights to enhance your understanding of practice and application. With representatives from the National Cord Blood Network, discussion of the development of consultative networks and utilization guidelines will be covered. Building on lessons from the Anthony Nolan Registry, the session will highlight practical applications from the Cord Support Programme and its impact on education and practice. Additionally, insight into the NMDP’s Cord Blood Immersion Program will showcase how this initiative fosters a pipeline of early-career physicians interested in cord blood as a graft source, providing mentorship and support for future success.

This session will also focus on developing a robust pipeline of end users for innovative products and services adoptable across the cell therapy field. Attendees will gain practical strategies for engaging and educating key stakeholders, ensuring the successful adoption of emerging cell therapies. Through real-world examples and expert insights, learners will be equipped with a framework for implementing effective adoption programs, fostering collaboration across clinical and research environments, and driving the integration of novel therapies into standard practice.

This comprehensive session offers a deep dive into advancements in cord blood utilization and provides actionable approaches to improving patient outcomes while building sustainable pathways for future innovation.

Learning Objectives:

Review Modern Practices: Describe current techniques and advancements in cord blood transplantation and their impact on patient outcomes.
Discuss Utilization Models: Compare approaches to promoting cord blood utilization through educational programs.
Apply Practical Strategies: Identify best practices for developing consultative networks and utilization guidelines to increase cord blood access and awareness.
Prepare Future Leaders: Recognize the role of mentorship programs in cultivating early-career physicians' interest and expertise in cord blood transplantation.