Abstract: The present invention generally concerns cell therapy and products for use in such therapy. Particularly, the invention provides a preserved cell preparation essentially free of one or more members of a group of cryoprotecting agents consisting of polyalcohols, DMSO and cryoprotecting proteins, the preserved cell preparation comprising somatic cells and at least one polyphenol, wherein upon reconstitution of cells in the cell preparation, at least a portion of said stem cells are viable, said portion being sufficient for use of the cell preparation in stem cell therapy. The invention also provides cells reconstituted from preserved somatic cells, and the use of the reconstituted cells in cell therapy. A preferred cell preparation in accordance with the invention comprises stem cells, preferably human stem cells.

Abstract: Provided is a preservation solution for preserving biological material at low temperature including one or more polyphenols and a method for preservation of biological material, the method includes adding the preservation solution to biological material, cooling the biological material and storing it under appropriate storing conditions. The present method may be used for hypothermic preservation or for cryopreservation, including freezing and lyophilization, and may be used with any biological material, including cells selected from RBC, WBC, MNC, UCB MNC and bacteria. In the case of RBC, also disclosed is a method for its freezing such that upon thawing, the material has less than 2% free hemoglobin.

Abstract: A preservation solution for preserving a biological material at a low temperature including one or more polyphenols, and a method for preserving a biological material are provided. The method includes adding the preservation solution to a biological material, cooling the biological material and storing it under appropriate storing conditions. The method can be used for hypothermic preservation or for cryopreservation, including freezing and lyophilization, of any biological material, including cells selected from RBC, WBC, MNC, UCB, HSC and bacteria. A method is also provided for freezing RBCs such that upon thawing, the RBCs include less than 2% free hemoglobin.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the sterilization of a biological preparation comprising desired viable biological entities. The method comprises irradiating a dried (e.g. freeze-dried) biological preparation with ionizing or UV radiation at an intensity and for a duration sufficient to reduce the amount or activity of living-matter contaminants in the biological preparation, the intensity and duration selected such that at least part of the desired biological entities in the sample remains viable. The method of the invention is particularly suitable for the reduction of the amount or activity of contaminants such as bacteria or viruses from biological preparations comprising red blood cells or platelets.

Abstract: Provided is a method for the sterilization of a biological preparation including desired viable biological entities. The method includes irradiating a dried (e.g. freeze-dried) biological preparation with UV radiation at an intensity and for a duration sufficient to reduce the amount or activity of living-matter contaminants in the biological preparation, the intensity and duration selected such that at least part of the desired biological entities in the sample remains viable. The described method is particularly suitable for the reduction of the amount or activity of contaminants such as bacteria or viruses from biological preparations including red blood cells or platelets.

Abstract: The present invention generally concerns cell therapy and products for use in such therapy. Particularly, the invention provides a preserved cell preparation essentially free of one or more members of a group of cryoprotecting agents consisting of polyalcohols, DMSO and cryoprotecting proteins, the preserved cell preparation comprising somatic cells and at least one polyphenol, wherein upon reconstitution of cells in the cell preparation, at least a portion of said stem cells are viable, said portion being sufficient for use of the cell preparation in stem cell therapy. The invention also provides cells reconstituted from preserved somatic cells, and the use of the reconstituted cells in cell therapy. A preferred cell preparation in accordance with the invention comprises stem cells, preferably human stem cells.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the sterilization of a biological preparation comprising desired viable biological entities. The method comprises irradiating a dried (e.g. freeze-dried) biological preparation with ionizing or UV radiation at an intensity and for a duration sufficient to reduce the amount or activity of living-matter contaminants in the biological preparation, the intensity and duration selected such that at least part of the desired biological entities in the sample remains viable. The method of the invention is particularly suitable for the reduction of the amount or activity of contaminants such as bacteria or viruses from biological preparations comprising red blood cells or platelets.

Abstract: A preservation solution for preserving a biological material at a low temperature including one or more polyphenols, and a method for preserving a biological material are provided. The method includes adding the preservation solution to a biological material, cooling the biological material and storing it under appropriate storing conditions. The method can be used for hypothermic preservation or for cryopreservation, including freezing and lyophilization, of any biological material, including cells selected from RBC, WBC, MNC, UCB, MNC, and bacteria. A method is also provided for freezing RBCs such that upon thawing, the RBCs include less than 2% free hemoglobin.