FACT is a non-profit corporation co-founded in 1996 by the American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (ASBMT) and the International Society for Cellular Therapy (ISCT) to administer a voluntary inspection and accreditation program in the field of hematopoietic progenitor cell (HPC) transplantation. The first edition of FACT Standards was published in this same year.

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In 2000, recognizing the global impact of cord blood banking and transplantation, FACT partnered with the International NetCord Foundation to develop international standards for cord blood collection and banking. NetCord is an international network of non-profit public cord blood banks created to promote the establishment of high quality cord blood units through study and research worldwide.

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In 2006, FACT jointly published its hematopoietic cellular therapy standards with the Joint Accreditation Committee – ISCT & EBMT (JACIE) to expand its scope to an international scale. JACIE was founded by the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT), the leading scientific organization involved with cellular transplantation in Europe and ISCT, a global association driving the translation of scientific research to deliver innovative cellular therapies to patients. JACIE administers a parallel accreditation program and collaborates on international initiatives.

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Today, FACT provides three core services:  standards development, accreditation, and education applicable to HPC transplantation, cord blood banking, and other cellular therapies (e.g. immune effector cellular therapy and regenerative medicine). The most remarkable point about FACT’s reputation as the pinnacle of quality in cellular therapy is that it is completely driven by those in the community. FACT’s Board of Directors, committee members, and inspectors are all volunteers from accredited programs. These practicing professionals set the requirements for the field, inspect each other, educate each other, and encourage each other to improve. In an increasingly competitive world, the FACT international community can be proud to say that we are all helping each other. This spirit of collaboration is what truly benefits patients.