Taburit - Bank for Umbilical Blood Ltd., a private company at Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer, will begin exports soon. The company has hired Swiss health insurance expert Dr. Jan von Overbeck for its science committee to help with exports.
Von Overbeck, a specialist in internal medicine, infections and tropical diseases, is the chief medical officer at Swiss Re Life and Health (SWX:RUKZ), the world’s largest medical reinsurance company.
Taburit CEO Amnon Pelz said von Overbeck was greatly interested in the project, and had said he wanted to help the company. “His joining the company will help up expand beyond Israel to both international markets and life insurance companies,” he said.
The combination of health and financial insurance that Taburit is offering is considered a unique package, said Pelz. “The preservation of umbilical cord blood has become a leading health issue. Research has found additional possible uses of such stem cells, including for the treatment of leukemia. The hope is that in future, they will also help treat diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease.”
Stem cells might also be used to repair various tissue and regenerate damaged cells. Pelz emphasized that this progress was creating very high demand for this medical service. The market for regeneration based on umbilical stem cells is expected to reach $7 billion in 2007.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on January 9, 2006