CORD-CELL International Randomised Controlled Trial
The CORD‑CELL trial is a large, multisite international study led by Associate Professor Atul Malhotra from Monash Children’s Hospital, testing whether giving umbilical cord blood cells to extremely preterm babies can help protect their developing brains. Extremely preterm infants (born before 28 weeks pregnancy) are at high risk of brain injury because their organs are still fragile and vulnerable to inflammation, infection, and low oxygen levels. In this randomised trial, all babies receive standard intensive care, but half also receive an infusion of their own cord blood cells collected at birth. This approach builds directly on the earlier CORD‑SAFE study, which showed that giving these cells to preterm infants is feasible and appears safe, paving the way for this larger, more definitive trial.
To request your cord blood and tissue information pack - click here.
The goal of CORD‑CELL is to find out whether adding cord blood cells can improve long‑term outcomes such as movement, learning, and overall development, while also carefully monitoring for any short‑term side effects. The study is being conducted across several international centres, with Cell Care supporting the Victorian arm, ensuring reliable cord blood collection and processing for participating families. If successful, this therapy could represent a major advance in reducing disability among extremely preterm infants by harnessing the healing potential of their own cells.
For more information about the study contact the study coordinator:
Email: info@cellcare.com.au or atul.malhotra@monash.edu
Phone: (03) 8572 3650
STELLAR Trial
The STELLAR trial, led by Associate Professor Atul Malhotra at Monash Children’s Hospital, is a pioneering study testing whether a newborn’s own umbilical cord blood cells can be safely given soon after birth to help protect the brain following a stroke that occurred in the womb (called fetal or prenatal stroke). These strokes can lead to long‑term disabilities such as cerebral palsy and other developmental problems, and currently there are no treatments that can repair the injury. Because cord blood contains cells that may support healing and because the cells come from the baby itself, the treatment has the potential to be both safe and biologically powerful.
In this early phase, the trial’s main goal is simply to confirm that collecting the cord blood and infusing it over two occasions (five days apart) in the first few weeks after birth is feasible and well‑tolerated. Babies are closely monitored for any side effects. Although the study isn’t designed to prove long‑term benefit yet, it lays the groundwork for future research that could explore whether this approach improves brain development and reduces disability. It’s an important first step toward a completely new way of caring for infants affected by prenatal stroke.
To request your cord blood and tissue information pack - click here.
Cell Care is responsible for the collection and release of umbilical cord blood cells for autologous administration to the babies recruited to the study.
For more information about the study contact the study coordinator:
Email: info@cellcare.com.au or atul.malhotra@monash.edu
Phone: (03) 8572 3650
Study of Sibling Cord Blood Cell Infusion to children with Cerebral Palsy
Australia’s first clinical trial of stem cell infusion from cord blood as a possible treatment for cerebral palsy (CP) was funded by the Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Foundation and Cell Care. The study, led by the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute (MCRI), took place at the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne, and was the first step in a promising process that aims to find out whether sibling cord blood infusion is both safe and efficacious for children with the condition.
To request your cord blood and tissue information pack - click here.
The study was approved by the The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne Human Research Ethics Committee and is listed on the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trial Register.
Cell Care has established a free cord blood collection storage program for families who have children with CP. If you have a child with CP and are currently pregnant, please contact Cell Care via:
Email: info@cellcare.com.au
Phone: 1800 071 075.
Brain injury and cerebral palsy
Cell Care supports research at the Monash Institute of Medical Research - Ritchie Centre, where scientists are investigating the underlying causes of newborn brain injury – which predominantly occurs either during pregnancy or at the time of birth. Their aim is to develop safe and effective therapies to prevent or repair brain injury, thereby reducing the incidence of cerebral palsy.
Read more about the Cell Care Senior Research Fellowship at The Ritchie Centre.