OGA and FemPartners Join with Viacord to Offer Parents-to-Be Umbilical Cord Blood Preservation Services

Leading OB/GYN practice in Houston to provide education on cord blood stem cell preservation to all expectant parents.

Houston, TX / Boston, MA, March 7, 2002---Obstetrical and Gynecological Associates, P.A. (OGA) and FemPartners, Inc., of Houston, TX, the largest women's health care physician network in the Southwest, will offer comprehensive umbilical cord blood banking services to all patients through an exclusive agreement with Viacord, a subsidiary of ViaCell, Inc., and a leading company in cord blood stem cell preservation. Through this agreement, all OGA expectant parents will receive obstetrical counseling and education regarding the value of umbilical cord blood stem cells and the opportunity for their collection and long-term storage.

Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is rich in stem cells that can be used to treat a broad range of diseases including leukemia and certain other forms of cancer, genetic disorders, blood and immune diseases. Many parents are choosing to save umbilical cord blood stem cells when a child is born. If preserved, these stem cells are available, if needed, for use in health treatments for the child, a sibling, or another family member. Furthermore, research has indicated that UCB stem cells have the potential to treat numerous other medical challenges such as neurological diseases, diabetes and muscular dystrophy.

Marc Beer, president and chief executive officer of ViaCell, stated, "We are very pleased to join with OGA and FemPartners in this important alliance. As superior providers of women's health care throughout the Southwest, their commitment and standards in providing innovative and comprehensive obstetrical and gynecological care are renowned." Mr. Beer added, "The current applications and promising research utilizing UCB stem cell therapies underscores the importance of cord blood preservation. Our combined efforts in patient education are focused on increasing the awareness of the value of UCB stem cells and the readily-available option to safeguard them."

John Irwin, M.D., president of OGA's board of directors, commented, "OGA is dedicated to shaping the future of women's health care by providing innovation and leadership in all aspects of patient care. We are excited about our affiliation with Viacord and ViaCell, Inc. We believe the combination of the highest quality UCB stem cell preservation services through Viacord coupled with the potential application of ViaCell's Selective Amplification™ technology will best serve our patients today and into the future." Dr. Irwin continued, "We are proud to take the lead in ensuring that our patients are educated about the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to preserve this important stem cell source. Early treatment of many illnesses may minimize disease progression or provide a cure. Banking cord blood ensures that these vital stem cells are immediately available to the family if needed."

OGA's Jason Cooper, M.D., concluded, "We are very pleased to be working closely with Viacord, a leading company in UCB stem cell preservation. This alliance supports OGA's ongoing commitment to providing our patients with the most advanced and comprehensive obstetrical care available. When parents bank their newborn's cord blood stem cells, they are saving what may be a key component to potential future medical treatments."

About ViaCell, Inc.

ViaCell, Inc. (www.viacellinc.com) is a clinical-stage biotechnology company with a cellular medicine pipeline that focuses in the areas of cancer, neurological diseases, diabetes and muscular dystrophy. ViaCell offers umbilical cord blood stem cell preservation services through Viacord (www.viacord.com), a subsidiary of ViaCell. ViaCell is developing amplified, high-definition stem cell products based on its patented technology, Selective Amplification™ for the expansion of targeted populations of stem cells. ViaCell is currently conducting a Phase I clinical trial with its lead product, produced through Selective Amplification™.