Cordlife faces S$5.45 million civil claim over damaged cord blood units

SINGAPORE: Cordlife Group Limited is facing a civil claim amounting to at least S$5.45 million (US$4.2 million), according to a bourse filing on 2 December 2025. 

The claims stem from allegations by clients whose stored cord blood units (CBUs) were either damaged or placed at high risk due to substandard storage conditions.

The claim was initiated through a High Court originating application filed on 1 December 2025.

The claimant represents a group of individuals who had stored 109 CBUs with the company.

According to Cordlife, the group seeks a declaration that the company is liable for losses and damage caused by negligence or breach of contract.

The core accusation is that the firm failed to properly store and preserve the CBUs, resulting in irreparable damage.

The claimants are requesting damages calculated at S$50,000 per affected unit.

Alternatively, they seek compensation for expenses incurred, such as storage fees, which they argue were rendered futile by the company's actions.

A further alternative would be for the court to assess the damages through judicial review.

These claims are not new but follow from a letter of demand issued on 28 March 2025, also publicised by Cordlife in its earlier updates. The group now seeks judicial relief based on that prior notice.

The CBUs in question were stored in tanks categorised as “Damaged” and “High Risk.”

These categories had previously been flagged during investigations by the Ministry of Health (MOH), which found that storage tanks had been maintained at sub-optimal temperatures as far back as November 2023.

As a result of these findings, MOH suspended Cordlife on 26 November 2025 from collecting, testing, processing, or storing new cord blood units.

Cordlife is currently only permitted to maintain existing inventory with limited operational capacity.

In its 2 December filing, Cordlife stated that the claims relate solely to its Singapore operations. Its overseas operations continue to function without interruption.

However, the company acknowledged that if it is ultimately ordered to pay the full S$5.45 million in damages, it will have a negative financial impact on its fiscal year ending 31 December 2025.

The board is currently evaluating the financial implications and will provide further updates as necessary.

Amid these developments, Cordlife announced the appointment of Wu Gang as its new non-independent, non-executive chairman.

Wu was also named to the company’s nominating committee.

He currently holds multiple senior roles, including vice chairman and executive president of Sanpower Group, and chairman of Dendreon Pharmaceuticals.

The board stated that effective leadership was crucial as the company navigates ongoing operational challenges.

Wu’s experience across various industries was cited as a key factor in the decision, with the board expressing confidence that his leadership would guide the company towards stability and renewed growth.

Cordlife has advised shareholders and investors to exercise caution when dealing in its shares while the matter remains under review.

It added that further material updates will be announced in accordance with the Singapore Exchange's listing requirements.