Viability is the percentage of living cells in your dose. Here's what the number means, what good looks like, and how to make sure you see it.
Of all the numbers on a stem cell certificate of analysis, viability is the one that most directly describes what you are receiving. It is also one of the easiest to understand — and one of the most useful questions you can ask a clinic.
What the number means
Viability is the percentage of cells in a preparation that are alive and functional. A vial containing 100 million cells at 95% viability delivers about 95 million living cells. Since only living cells release the anti-inflammatory and repair signals that drive benefit, viability directly shapes the effective dose.
What good looks like
| Preparation | Typical benchmark |
|---|---|
| Fresh cells | ≥ 90% viability |
| Cryopreserved, post-thaw | ≥ 80% viability |
| Stated on COA | Measured figure for your batch, not a generic range |
Why viability varies
Viability reflects how carefully cells were handled: the quality of the source tissue, the expansion process, the freeze-thaw protocol for cryopreserved products, and the speed of delivery to the clinic. This is why strong laboratories invest in controlled logistics — and why a measured, batch-specific figure is worth so much more than a marketing claim.
How to use this at consultation
- Ask for the viability figure for your specific batch
- Ask whether it is measured fresh or post-thaw
- Ask for the total viable cell count, not just the total count
- Request the certificate of analysis before your treatment day
Clinics that answer these questions in writing are showing you exactly the transparency that defines quality care. For the full document walkthrough, see how to read a certificate of analysis.
Frequently asked questions
What is cell viability?
Viability is the percentage of cells in a preparation that are alive and functional at the time of measurement. Only living cells can release the signals that drive therapeutic benefit.
What is a good viability number?
Fresh preparations typically show 90% or higher. Cryopreserved cells measured after thaw generally show 80% or higher. Your certificate of analysis should state the measured figure for your specific batch.
Where do I find the viability of my treatment?
On the certificate of analysis issued by the laboratory for your batch. Quality clinics share this document before treatment as standard practice.
Is a higher cell count more important than viability?
They work together. A high count with low viability delivers fewer living cells than a moderate count with high viability. Look for both numbers stated clearly.
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