Ducord consists of hematopoietic progenitor cells, monocytes, lymphocytes, and granulocytes, derived from human cord blood, intended for intravenous infusion. Blood recovered from umbilical cord and placenta is volume-reduced and partially depleted of red blood cells and plasma.
40 mL of cord blood is collected and a minimum of 109 nucleated cells is required to continue to processing. Red blood cell (RBC)-depletion and plasma reduction by an automated cell processor is performed. Hydroxyethyl starch (HES), at a 1:5 ratio, is added before centrifugation to assist with the separation of the RBCs. After separation of the components, approximately 21 mL of buffy coat–enriched product remains. Dimethyl sulfoxide/dextran (10% dimethyl sulfoxide in 5% dextran 40) is added as a cryoprotectant and the product is cryopreserved by controlled-rate freezing in a 25-mL double-compartment cryopreservation bag under liquid nitrogen.