California Cryobank Introduces the Industry's Most Thoroughly Screened Sperm Donors Through Their DNA Advantage™ Program

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 24, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- California Cryobank (Cryobank), the worldwide leader in frozen donor sperm and egg banking, recently announced their new DNA Advantage™ Donor Program, which includes comprehensive genetic screening for over 260 conditions on new sperm donors. Cryobank will be collaborating with Sema4, a Mount Sinai venture and next generation health information company, which will perform the donor genetic testing.

While all California Cryobank sperm donors are screened for conditions recommended by the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), DNA Advantage™ Donors will have substantially more genetic information that can be utilized by recipients as part of their donor selection process.

"All human beings carry mutations for recessively inherited conditions. The availability of these genetic testing panels has transformed the reproductive industry, allowing physicians to offer genetic screening in the pre-conception phase as standard practice," explains California Cryobank Executive Medical Director Jaime Shamonki, M.D. "While it is impossible to identify or eliminate all heritable risks to children, screening the donor as well as the recipient can substantially reduce the risk of a child being affected by one of these potentially significant diseases."

"We are pleased to work with California Cryobank to offer our comprehensive capabilities in reproductive health testing, including superior carrier screening, DNA extraction and storage for a number of sample types, and karyotyping," said Sema4 Chief Executive Officer Eric Schadt, PhD. "Interest in preconception care and genetic risk testing is soaring as prospective parents, and those who help serve their needs, seek to better understand the risk of passing a genetic disorder along to a child."

"Working with Sema4 is a great fit," says Pamela Callum, Director of Cryobank's Genetics Services. "Their comprehensive panel overlaps very well with the other commonly used genetic testing services, meaning that no matter what genetic panel or laboratory one of our clients or their physician utilizes, we can help find a compatible donor."

By adding expanded genetic screening to an already extensive qualification process that includes a comprehensive psychological assessment by a licensed doctorate-level mental health professional, criminal background check, 3-generation family medical history assessment, physical exams, repeated communicable disease testing, and outstanding specimen quality, Cryobank continues to set the industry standard for sperm donor screening. In fact, less than 1% of applicants ultimately become California Cryobank donors.

"We believe in robust screening as well as quality informed consent," said Dr. Shamonki. "Our screening process selects for the most committed, altruistic, and informed donors."

About California Cryobank

California Cryobank provides frozen donor sperm and donor egg services, reproductive tissue storage, and cord blood banking through FamilyCord). Operating throughout the United States, Europe, Latin America, Australia, and Asia, Cryobank is registered with the FDA, accredited by the AATB and AABB, and licensed by the states of California and New York. Cryobank is a portfolio company of two healthcare-focused private investment firms, Longitude Capital and NovaQuest Capital Management.

Media Contact:
Scott Brown
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SOURCE California Cryobank

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