LENEXA, Kan., July 17, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mediware Information Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:MEDW) announced today that the global cord blood therapeutic company, Stemcyte, has licensed the Transtem cell therapy software to automate manufacturing processes associated with the company's cord blood collection and storage business. The Transtem software provides automated controls to streamline collection, testing and manufacturing processes for cord blood and adult stem cell products used in the treatment of cancer, blood diseases and research. Mediware announced the acquisition of Transtem on January 4, 2012 as part of its strategy to expand its focus from blood management to cellular therapy. A webcast featuring the Transtem capabilities for cord blood collection and processing is scheduled for July 18 and July 31 at 10 a.m. CDT (register online).
With operations in the United States, India and Taiwan, Stemcyte has more than 50,000 cord blood units in its public and private inventories and is in the process of applying for licensure with the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA). The company is planning to leverage Transtem to improve donor recruitment and institute new controls in the company's manufacturing processes, both of which are needed to support their plans for efficient growth and expansion.
The Transtem software is unique in that it provides comprehensive support for cell therapy and cord blood operations, with specialized functionality that spans from online donor registration through product collection, preparation, storage, infusion and outcome reporting. The software has robust laboratory and clinical capabilities which operate as an integrated suite to span from donor to patient outcome for organizations managing the full continuum of care.
Specific to Stemcyte's needs, the Transtem software has powerful online donor registration capabilities that will enable Stemcyte to more effectively recruit and enlist new donors through web based forms and eligibility checks. This functionality alone provides cord blood banks the opportunity to significantly boost collections and growth.
Other key Transtem capabilities important to cord blood banks include:
- Product Management: The software captures and maintains all information specific to the stem cell product from collection through processing, cryopreservation and storage, and use in a clinical therapy.
- Product / Sample Inventory Management: The Transtem software tracks storage locations as well as any additions or subtractions of the product and its ancillary samples.
- Search and Export: Specific to cord blood banks, the Transtem software enables the matching of patient and potential donors.
- Patient Outcomes & Reporting: The software allows for the collection and analysis of data for research and quality assurance purposes. Transtem also, supports compliance with data reporting to government & accreditation bodies.
- Labeling: The Transtem software provides for label configurability to support industry standards such as ISBT-128 and site-specific needs.
- Physician Competency: The software supports the training and tracking of physician competency assessments.
Mediware's expansion into cellular therapy technologies continues the company's nearly 40 year legacy of providing leading edge blood management technologies. These include the first transfusion management software system cleared for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in hospital blood banks, as well as donor recruitment and laboratory software solutions used by major blood centers.
The company is hosting two informational webcasts to illustrate how the Transtem software solves the unique challenges that private and public cord blood banks face worldwide. The programs are scheduled for July 18 and July 31, at 10 am CDT. Online registration for either date is required and is available from Mediware's online event center (http://mediware.webex.com).
Additional information about the full range of software capabilities is available online or by emailing info@mediware.com.
About Mediware
Mediware delivers interoperable best-of-breed software systems that improve efficiencies and address safety concerns, enabling healthcare organizations to improve care processes while decreasing costs. Core Mediware solutions include blood management technologies for hospitals and blood centers; cell therapy solutions for cord blood banks, cancer treatment centers and research facilities; medication management solutions for hospitals, behavioral health facilities, infusion and specialty pharmacy providers; and business intelligence-based performance management solutions for clinical, regulatory and financial aspects of the broader healthcare market. For more information about Mediware products and services, visit our website at www.mediware.com.
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About the Transtem Solution
Transtem was designed by cellular therapy professionals to provide a comprehensive solution for cell therapy labs, cord blood banks, transplant centers and academic medical centers to collect, process, transfuse and track adult stem cells used in the treatment of cancer and blood related disease. Transtem's unique capabilities combine a focus on donors, products and patients to provide a 360-degree view of treatments and outcomes.
Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as the same may be amended from time to time (the "Act") and are intended to be covered by the safe harbor created thereby. Such forward-looking statements are not necessarily based on historical facts and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results of the Company to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to those disclosed in the Company's Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. The Company does not intend to, and undertakes no obligation to, update forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes in future operating results, financial condition or business over time. The Company regularly posts important information to the investor relations section of its website.