Memorandum of Understanding Signed by FACT and SBTMO to Develop Joint Accreditation Program in Brazil

Posted in :: 2018 Volume 3 :: Tuesday, August 14th, 2018

The Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT) and the Sociedade Brasileira de Transplante de Medula Óssea (SBTMO), the Brazilian Society of Bone Marrow Transplantation, have announced its formal partnership to develop a joint FACT-SBTMO Cellular Therapy Accreditation Program in Brazil.

The agreement, in the form of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), formalizes the mutual interaction and strengthens the existing relationship between the SBTMO and FACT at the strategic and working level, focusing on standardization and accreditation of cellular therapy in Brazil.

Dr. Nelson Hamerschlak, SBTMO President states, “This partnership will bring a higher level of quality and outcomes for all Brazilian bone marrow transplant centers.” Dr. Hamerschlak leads the Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein (HIAE) in Brazil, the first Bone Marrow Transplantation Center in Latin America to receive FACT accreditation. HIAE is accredited for autologous and allogenic transplantation and cord blood banking.

For over 20 years, FACT has established international standards for hematopoietic cellular therapy product collection, processing, and administration.  FACT administers its accreditation program in 25 countries. “The collaboration between FACT and SBTMO will support efforts to improve quality and patient safety at cellular therapy programs in Brazil in accordance with FACT-JACIE Standards,” said Linda Miller, FACT Chief Executive Officer.

“Through this partnership, FACT and SBTMO will work to increase access for patients to internationally accredited blood and marrow transplant programs in Brazil,” states Dr. Dennis Gastineau, FACT President.