International NetCord Foundation Executive Committee Conference Call Minutes September 10, 2014

Transcription

1 International NetCord Foundation Executive Committee Conference Call Minutes September 10, 2014 Committee Members: Staff: President Etienne Baudoux and Drs. Gesine Koegler, Joanne Kurtzberg and Alexander Platz and Vanderson Rocha Holger Gressmann, Andrea King, Robert Krawisz and Ken Luurs The meeting was called to order by President Baudoux at 8:35 a.m. CDT. I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approval of Minutes CONSENSUS: Approve the minutes of the Executive Committee meeting on June 18, II. REQUEST FROM INTERNATIONAL JOSE CARRERAS FOUNDATION Communication on EMDIScord CONSENSUS: Approve and send the letter submitted by Holger Gressmann to Dr. Enric Carreras at the International José Carreras Foundation which provides technical input on EMDIScord issues and clarification on unit ID listings (ways to filter out duplicates). III. NETCORD MEMBERS INVENTORY AND USE Update for NetCord Website CONSENSUS: Accept the report submitted by Holger Gressmann on NetCord member inventory and use and direct Mr. Gressmann to work with Mr. Ken Luurs to develop a user friendly schedule for posting on the NetCord Website. IV. STRATEGIC PLANNING RETREAT Draft Strategic Planning Document CONSENSUS: Approve the first draft of the Strategic Planning document developed from the retreat in Milan (enclosed Exhibit). This document was sent to NetCord Members for review and there were only three replies with no substantive changes. CONSENSUS: Request the Board of Directors to approve the final Strategic Planning document during its meeting on October 22 and to start development of goals and strategies. V. NEW MEMBER APPLICATIONS CONSENSUS: Direct staff to send new member applications from the Anthony Nolan Cord Blood Bank and the Portuguese Public Cord Blood Bank to Drs. Alexander Platz and Timothy Devos for review. Recommendations will be discussed during the October Board of Directors meeting.

2 NetCord Executive Committee September 10, 2014 Page Two VI. CREATION OF CORD BLOOD ASSOCIATION Update on Recent Activities Dr. Joanne Kurtzberg provided an update on the work being done to develop a trade and professional association for public and private Cord Blood Banks: The stated focus of the Association will be on promoting the use of cord blood, assisting in development of standards, supporting cord blood research, providing education and lobbying. Members of the Advisory Committee are Sue Armitage, Andrew Balber, Geoffrey Crouse, Ken Giacin, Joanne Kurtzberg, Alan Leahigh, Richard Lockie, Mahendra Rao, Donna Regan, Buzz Sztukowski and Frances Verter. Alan Leahigh is working with a law firm to incorporate the new association as a 501(c)6 organization with a 501(c)3 subsidiary. A call for nominations was sent out for members of the Board of Directors which will include representatives from private and public cord blood banks and additional at large members. Dr. Kurtzberg will be a member of the Board. Dr. Kurtzberg agreed to share the minutes of Advisory Committee meetings with the NetCord Executive Committee. These are also available on the Advisory Committee s LinkedIn site. The new cord blood association will solicit membership from cord blood banks globally and from individuals interested in cord blood banking and transplantation. Other industry developments include changing management of the International Cord Blood Symposium to AABB. CONSENSUS: The NetCord Executive Committee will develop recommendations on the actions NetCord should take in collaborating with this new cord blood association for discussion at the October Board of Directors meeting. VII. WMDA WMDA Fee Schedule Dr. Gesine Koegler reported that WMDA is requesting cord blood bank members pay a fee per cord blood unit shipment. She suggested that the fee schedule appeared to be onerous for smaller programs. CONSENSUS: Request Dr. Baudoux to contact Lydia Foeken, WMDA Executive Director, for an explanation of the fee schedule.

3 NetCord Executive Committee September 10, 2014 Page Three VIII. INFORMATION REPORTS The following informational reports were received: Introduction of Mr. Ken Luurs, new Managing Director Dr. Baudoux 2014 NetCord Meeting Schedule Dr. Baudoux Submitted by Eliane Gluckman By Bob Krawisz IX. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:40 a.m. CDT. Staff was requested to send out a reminder on the Board of Directors Wednesday, October 22 (GoToMeeting Conference Call).

4 EXHIBIT DRAFT NETCORD STRATEGIC PLAN Milan Board of Directors Retreat I. NetCord Mission The mission of the International NetCord Foundation is: To promote the highest quality in cord blood products through worldwide standards and accreditation. To balance global supply and demand for umbilical cord blood. To encourage and facilitate the use of cord blood transplants by promoting laboratory and clinical research and providing professional and public education. II. Strategic Questions Why Does NetCord Exist? To create opportunities for the supply and use of cord blood products. To upgrade cord blood banking and transplantation science worldwide What should be NetCord's philosophy (i.e. the focus and direction for the organization)? Establish quality norms and promote the use of cord blood transplants as standard of care globally. Gather CBBs and sustain each other through exchange of information and mutual collaborations. Cord blood transplants in hematological and non-hematological clinical indications. Who is NetCord? Principled, focused cord blood banks dedicated to the successful collection, processing and distribution of cord blood products. An international non-profit association of the most accredited cord blood banks. What does NetCord represent? The unified standards, banks and cord blood product market. High quality CBBs (accredited or in their way toward accreditation). Represents approximately 35 cord blood banks and institutes working in stem cell transplants. Whom does NetCord serve? Two audiences: the cord blood banks and the end-users. CBBs and transplantation centers. Serves cord blood grafts globally via its virtual office according specific standards (HLA, Graft Size, and Cell Count). 1

5 III. What does NetCord do as an organization? Should set forth the standards, require accreditation, and then actively promote the use of cord blood products globally. Exchange information between CBBs and gather them (together we are stronger). Interact with approximately 35 CBBs in crucial matters related to cord blood laboratory and clinical research, inspect and accredit cord blood banks according FACT standards. Values NetCord members hold in highest regard the following principles: An umbilical cord blood donation is a gift of health and well-being to a seriously ill patient. Donors should be held in high esteem, and the donation managed with great respect. Umbilical cord blood is a key component in the future of hematopoietic stem cell therapy and regenerative medicine. Its potential will be realized through basic and clinical research and greater professional and public awareness of the therapeutic value of cord blood. Cord blood has the greatest social value when donated to an accredited bank for allogeneic use and made fully accessible to all potential patients. For cord blood therapies to reach their full potential, cord blood banks must maintain high standards to assure quality products, and the process for banking, selecting and procuring stem cells must be accurate, efficient and economically sustainable. What are NetCord's Values (i.e. NetCord's core beliefs, NetCord's most deeply held convictions, the ideals that NetCord holds in the highest regard, in good times and in bad). Collect the right cords at the right time, store them in the right banks, and make them accessible to everyone. Values excels on well-being of seriously ill patients diagnosed with hematological or non-hematological diseases aided by high-quality and efficient cord blood products for the reconstitution of hematopoietic system after high dose chemoradio therapy or for regenerative purposes in degenerative diseases. IV. Vision The International NetCord Foundation and its members will be known throughout the transplant community for highly ethical practice and quality standards, and for the value of their products and services to transplant professionals and their patients. What is NetCord s Vision (i.e. a clear and compelling view of what NetCord must be in the future, a statement so clearly stated and inspiring that people will feel a strong desire to work together to arrive at this destination described in the vision)? Promote the best cord at the best time from the best bank. Vision is the global standardization and harmonization of the highest quality procedures and ethical practices in non-hematopoietic stem cell transplant community. 2

6 V. Benefits Reasons why CBB join and maintain their NetCord membership: To establish an image of credibility and quality. Exchange of information between CBBs. To increase CBB s excellence and reputation in transplant community. VI. Role Definition NetCord s role in the education of the CBB (and BMT) community? NetCord s role in developing policies for CBB? NetCord s role in the future of the CBB and BMT community? NetCord s role in the education of the Cord Blood Bank and Blood and Marrow Transplantation community? Educate on cord blood quality standards and create opportunities for continued improvement and learning. Crucial to educate scientific community related to laboratory, regulatory and transplant topics. NetCord s role in developing policies for Cord Blood Banks? Assembling best practices/policies and making them available to member banks. To develop well social impact policies related to public and private banking. NetCord s role in the future of the Cord Blood Bank and Blood and Marrow Transplantation community? Global advocate for cord blood banking and for cord blood product acceptance as a standard treatment option. More visibility of the organization is needed. To design and develop committees and working groups focus on new clinical indications in regenerative medicine. VII. SWOT Analysis Please list NetCord's top three Strengths: NetCord-FACT Standards. Education (online included. Global presence and exchange of information between CBBs. SWOT Analysis Please list NetCord's top three Weaknesses: Lack of visibility of the organization. NetCord does not represent all CBBs worldwide. NetCord does not give enough support to CBBs which are in the process of accreditation (stringent standards were developed but not enough help and support is given). SWOT Analysis Please list NetCord's top three Opportunities: 3

7 Greater development of continuing education opportunities for cord blood bank staff. More opportunities for CBBs and end-user transplant centers to meet and know each other. NetCord should be the organization which represent all CBBs (also the smaller ones) and coordinate more collaborations and solidarity between CBBs. SWOT Analysis Please list NetCord's top three Threats: Reimbursement for cord blood products (country specific). Frequency of other alternative transplantations (haplo) is increasing. Is there a need to further increase the CBU-inventory worldwide? NetCord has to face the evolution as it is going now: risk that big CBBs ship most of the CBUs and that smaller CBBs ship less (NetCord should help to improve this imbalance and should stimulate solidarity with the smaller CBBs with difficulties. 4