FCMB stands for Fetal Cells in Maternal Blood. A company involved in isolating Fetal Cells from Maternal Blood couldn't have a more straightforward name than FCMB. We at FCMB are constantly reminded of our goal: To enrich fetal cells from maternal circulation. The real challenge of this task becomes clear when we look at the numbers. There are 2-3 fetal cells among 6 million maternal white blood cells in 1ml of whole blood. Thus isolating these rare cells is literally like finding a needle in the haystack.

 

The founders of FCMB ApS proudly accepted this challenge years ago. After sticking their heads into this puzzle for years, their persistence has finally paid off. Now, a couple of years since FCMB ApS was formally launched, we have 15 people in Research and Development, and we are in a position to repeatedly and consistently isolate fetal cells from pregnant women's blood.

 

The task of isolation starts with blood sampling, where 24ml of whole blood are collected from a pregnant woman. The initial processing of the blood involves removal of red blood cells. The remaining cells are then incubated with markers specific for fetal cells, which facilitates the isolation of fetal cells from maternal blood. Once fetal cells are enriched, the identification of fetal cells is performed by staining with other fetal cell specific markers.

 

Since a cell holds all the genetic information of the developing fetus, it can be used to perform prenatal diagnosis. Such a prenatal diagnosis based on blood sampling is a major breakthrough in Science because the invasive alternatives such has CVS and amniocentesis have a certain level of risk associated with them.

 

For decades scientists have dreamt of isolating rare fetal cells from maternal blood. FCMB ApS has converted that dream into reality.