For the fourth consecutive year, the European Federation of Immunogenetics (EFI) renewed the operating license of the Stem Cell Harvesting Center of the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry (ABMDR) in Yerevan.

The relicensing of the ABMDR laboratory, the only facility of its type in Armenia and the entire Caucasus region, was granted by EFI after a thorough onsite inspection held on March 16.

The inspection was carried out by two EFI-designated inspectors, Prof. Svetlana Vojovodic of Serbia and Prof. Zorana Grubic of Croatia.

At the start of the inspection, Prof. Grubic submitted her own blood samples for testing at the lab, as part of the inspection process. Professors Grubic and Vojovodic went on to implement an extensive review of the facility. They examined the operations, specific methodologies, and technical documents of all lab departments with regard to a broad range of scientific research and medical procedures. The EFI inspectors also examined the integrity and effectiveness of all medical equipment and instruments utilized at the lab.

Stem Cell Harvesting Center staff, including ABMDR medical director Dr. Mihran Nazaretyan (far left) with the EFI inspectors

Later, when the results of Prof. Grubic’s blood test were submitted and the inspectors reviewed them, they determined that all protocols and standards were followed with utmost accuracy.  

“Once again, the ABMDR Stem Cell Harvesting Center passed the EFI inspection with flying colors,” Prof. Vojovodic said. “This is a world-class, highly professional lab. Its well-trained staff not only excels at the skills required to run such a specialized institution, but is also confident, friendly, and accommodating.”

The renewal of the Stem Cell Harvesting Center’s EFI license will enable the facility to continue its collaboration with laboratories and transplant centers worldwide and help save the lives of patients struck by life-threatening blood-related illnesses. 

“It is immensely gratifying to be granted EFI renewal of our center’s license,” stated ABMDR president Dr. Frieda Jordan, who had traveled to Yerevan in order to be on hand during the EFI inspection process. “The approval of our work by a global and prestigious regulatory body such as EFI makes our life-saving mission all the more worthwhile.”

Established in 1999, ABMDR, a nonprofit organization, helps Armenians and non-Armenians worldwide survive life-threatening blood-related illnesses by recruiting and matching donors to those requiring bone marrow stem cell transplants. To date, the registry has recruited over 26,000 donors in 24 countries across four continents, identified 2,482 patients, and facilitated 20 bone marrow transplants. For more information, call (323) 663-3609 or visit abmdr.am.