CellResearch Corporation

CellResearch Corporation is a biotechnology company associated with research into skin cells, scar and keloid biology, and stem cells obtained from the lining membrane of the umbilical cord. Founded in 2002 by Phan Toan Thang, Ivor Lim, and Gavin Tan, the company initially supplied skin-cell samples for laboratory research. It subsequently developed intellectual property covering the isolation, banking, cultivation, and therapeutic use of cord-lining stem cells across mammalian species. A central scientific development attributed to the company came in 2004, when Phan Toan Thang identified two distinctive stem-cell populations in the outer lining of the umbilical cord. The company’s research emphasized the potentially large cell yield of this tissue. A primary explant from the cord lining was reported to generate billions of epithelial and mesenchymal stem cells in a single generation, a substantially larger yield than the number of mesenchymal cells typically obtained from a bone-marrow aspiration. This work provided the basis for research programs in tissue repair, wound healing, cell banking, and regenerative medicine. CellResearch has also been associated with one of the larger private libraries of skin, scar, and keloid cells. According to the company’s reference descriptions, its samples have been used by cell-culture laboratories and by research organizations including Harvard University, Procter & Gamble, and Johnson & Johnson. The company is reported to hold 39 patents worldwide relating to cord-lining stem-cell technology, although the available material does not establish the current status or geographic scope of every patent. The company’s early investigations concentrated on wound healing. In 2015, it began work on current Good Manufacturing Practice-grade cord-lining mesenchymal stem cells intended for possible human transplantation. One resulting program, CorLiCyte, received authorization for a United States Food and Drug Administration trial focused on the treatment of diabetic wounds. The trial was expected to conclude around 2018 or 2019 according to the cited reference material; the supplied sources do not establish its final clinical outcome or later regulatory status. CellResearch has pursued both therapeutic and consumer-facing applications. Its CALECIM skincare line uses extracts from red-deer umbilical-cord lining and incorporates proteins secreted by cells into cosmetic cream and serum formulations. Separately, the CordLabs operation licenses cord-lining stem-cell storage technology to cord-blood banks, enabling them to preserve cord tissue from which the relevant stem cells can be derived. The company’s business model therefore spans biological sample supply, proprietary cell and tissue technologies, research services or collaborations, licensing, regenerative-medicine development, and skincare products. The available material does not confirm whether CellResearch Corporation remains active, its present ownership, current headquarters, or the commercial and regulatory status of its research programs.

CellResearch Corporation was established in 2002 by Phan Toan Thang, Ivor Lim, and Gavin Tan. Its initial business centered on supplying skin-cell samples for scientific research. This activity developed into a broader platform involving skin, scar, and keloid cell libraries, which were made available for work by cell-culture laboratories and corporate or academic research groups. The company’s later identity was shaped by research into the membrane lining the umbilical cord. In 2004, Phan Toan Thang identified two notable stem-cell populations in the cord’s outer lining. The research suggested that this tissue could provide a large number of epithelial and mesenchymal stem cells. The company subsequently pursued intellectual property for isolating these cells, expanding them in culture, storing them, and applying them in therapeutic settings. The available reference material attributes 39 worldwide patents to the company, but does not provide a complete patent list or confirm which rights remain active. Wound healing became an important early application area. CellResearch investigated whether cord-lining cells could support tissue repair, and in 2015 it began developing current Good Manufacturing Practice-grade cord-lining mesenchymal stem cells intended for use in human transplantation. The CorLiCyte program was reported to have received authorization for a United States Food and Drug Administration clinical trial addressing diabetic wounds. The supplied material anticipated completion around 2018 or 2019, but does not document the trial’s final results, approval for marketing, or subsequent development. The company also extended its technology into storage and licensing. Through CordLabs, it licensed cord-lining stem-cell storage technology to cord-blood banks. The arrangement allowed such banks to preserve cord tissue as a source of the lining-derived cells, rather than limiting their services to conventional cord-blood collection. A separate commercial direction emerged in skincare. CellResearch developed CALECIM, a cosmetic line based on red-deer umbilical-cord lining extract and proteins secreted by cells. The range was described as including cream and serum products, linking the company’s cell-biology work to topical personal-care applications. By the mid-2010s, CellResearch therefore occupied several adjacent fields: biological sample supply, stem-cell research, tissue and cell banking, licensing, regenerative medicine, and skincare. A 2014 report cited in the reference material placed the company’s value at approximately $640 million, but the supplied information does not establish the valuation methodology or provide current financial data. There is also insufficient information to determine the company’s present operating status, ownership, leadership structure, or the current status of its clinical and commercial programs.

1. 2015cGMP stem-cell development begins

   CellResearch began developing cGMP-grade cord-lining mesenchymal stem cells for potential transplantation and wound-healing use.

   Source
2. 2014Reported company valuation

   Contemporary reporting cited in the reference material described the company as being worth approximately $640 million. The basis of that figure is not specified.

   Source
3. 2004Cord-lining stem-cell discovery

   Phan Toan Thang identified two distinctive stem-cell populations in the outer lining membrane of the umbilical cord.

   Source
4. 2002Company founded

   Phan Toan Thang, Ivor Lim, and Gavin Tan founded CellResearch Corporation, initially focusing on the sale of skin-cell samples for research.

   Source

A biotechnology platform focused on the research, banking, licensing, and potential therapeutic use of skin cells and umbilical-cord-lining stem cells, with an additional consumer skincare business.

• CorLiCyteRegenerative medicine

  CorLiCyte is a cord-lining stem-cell product associated with CellResearch’s wound-healing program. It was developed from cord-lining mesenchymal stem cells manufactured to current Good Manufacturing Practice standards. The product received authorization for a U.S. Food and Drug Administration trial intended to investigate treatment of diabetic wounds. The supplied sources do not establish the trial’s results, whether it reached completion, or whether CorLiCyte received authorization for commercial use.

• CALECIMSkincare

  CALECIM is a skincare line based on red-deer umbilical-cord lining extract. Its formulation was described as incorporating proteins secreted by cells into topical cosmetic products, including cream and serum formats. The line represents CellResearch’s consumer-product extension of its broader work with cord-lining biology. The supplied material does not provide a complete product range, launch date, distribution footprint, or current availability.

• CordLabsCell and tissue banking technology

  CordLabs is associated with licensing CellResearch’s proprietary cord-lining stem-cell storage technology to cord-blood banks. The technology enables storage of cord tissue as a source for deriving lining-membrane stem cells. It is a platform and licensing offering rather than a single therapeutic product, and the available sources do not identify its current licensees or geographic coverage.

• 2015Move toward clinical-grade stem-cell manufacturingStrategy

  CellResearch’s earlier work had focused on research samples and wound healing. The company then pursued cGMP-grade cord-lining mesenchymal stem cells suitable for possible human transplantation.

  What changed. The company began developing manufacturing-grade cells and advanced the CorLiCyte program toward a U.S. clinical trial for diabetic-wound treatment.

  Aftermath. CorLiCyte was reported to have received authorization for an FDA trial. The supplied sources do not confirm the trial outcome or subsequent regulatory approval.

  Source
• Expansion into cord-tissue banking technologyStrategy

  Cord-lining stem cells require suitable collection and storage methods, creating an opportunity to extend the company’s intellectual property beyond laboratory research.

  What changed. Through CordLabs, CellResearch licensed cord-lining stem-cell storage technology to cord-blood banks so they could also bank cord tissue.

  Aftermath. The arrangement broadened the company’s activities into licensing and cell-banking infrastructure. The available sources do not identify the licensees or measure the commercial results.

  Source

• 2015CellResearch begins development of cGMP-grade cord-lining mesenchymal stem cells

  The company began developing manufacturing-grade cord-lining mesenchymal stem cells for possible human transplantation and wound-healing applications.

  Product launchOther
  Source
• CorLiCyte receives authorization for a U.S. diabetic-wound trial

  CellResearch’s CorLiCyte stem-cell product was reported to have been approved for a United States Food and Drug Administration trial studying wound healing in patients with diabetic wounds.

  Product launchRegulation
  Source

1. CellResearch Corporation