Biologics

Blue Horizon International, LLC

FDA issued a warning letter to Blue Horizon International, LLC (Hackensack, NJ, United States) on May 26, 2026, citing 21 CFR 1271.10, 21 CFR 1271.15, 21 CFR 1271.3, 21 CFR 1271.2 and 2 more regulations. Subject: Unapproved New Drugs, Unlicensed Biological Product Violations.

From the letter: “Your products are intended for use in the treatment of one or more diseases that are not amenable to self-diagnosis or treatment without the supervision of a licensed practitioner.”

Hackensack, NJ, United StatesIssued May 26, 2026Posted Jun 2, 2026No close-out recorded

At a glance

What a reviewer notes before reading: findings, citations, the response deadline and what the letter warns of.

Violations
2 findings · 2 issue types
Response due
Fifteen (15) working days of receipt
FDA asks for
3 actions
Named as possible actions
Seizure, injunction
Issued by
Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research
Published status
No close-out recorded

AI assisted findings

Model-assisted reading of each issue. Open one to see the FDA text it comes from, and check it against the full letter.

01Labeling, claims & marketing · 21 U.S.C. § 352(f)(1), 21 U.S.C. § 331(k)Products are misbranded because they lack adequate directions for lay use, as they are intended for diseases requiring practitioner supervision.
Your products are intended for use in the treatment of one or more diseases that are not amenable to self-diagnosis or treatment without the supervision of a licensed practitioner. Therefore, it is impossible to write adequate directions for a layperson to use your products safely for their intended purposes. Accordingly, your products fail to bear adequate directions for its intended uses and, therefore, is misbranded under section 502(f)(1) of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. § 352(f)(1). Misbranding your products while they are held for sale after shipment of the drug or one or more of its components in interstate commerce is prohibited under section 301(k) of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. § 331(k).
21 U.S.C. § 352(f)(1)21 U.S.C. § 331(k)Read it in the letter
02Other · 21 U.S.C. § 355(i), 42 U.S.C. § 262(a)(3), 21 CFR 312Products are marketed without an approved BLA or an effective IND, violating requirements for unapproved new drugs and unlicensed biological products.
Neither of your products are the subject of an approved biologics license application (BLA) nor is there an IND in effect for either of them.
21 U.S.C. § 355(i)42 U.S.C. § 262(a)(3)21 CFR Part 312Read it in the letter

What FDA requested

  • Submit a written response outlining the specific steps taken or planned to address the violations and prevent their recurrence, including documentation showing the matters have been addressed.
  • If unable to address within 15 working days, explain the reason for the delay and the timeframe for completion.
  • If believing the products are not in violation, provide reasoning and supporting information for consideration.

FDA Warning Letter

31 paragraphs · 3 sections

Text as published on FDA.gov, retrieved Oct 17, 2026. Layout added for reading; the wording is FDA’s. View on FDA.gov (opens in a new tab)

DatedMay 26, 2026
Sent toCBER 26-728085
AddressedDear Dr. Mehling

1Introduction

1 paragraph

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reviewed your company’s website at https://bluehorizonstemcells.com (last visited May 2026), through which your company markets “Stem Cell Therapy” derived from umbilical cord blood and “Exosome Therapy”1 derived from Wharton’s Jelly Mesenchymal Stem Cells (“WJ-MSC[s]”) for allogeneic use (hereafter, “your products”). This letter is to advise you that your misbranding of your products while held for sale after shipment in interstate commerce violates section 301(k) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act), 21 U.S.C. § 331(k).

2Unapproved New Drug and Unlicensed Biological Product Violations

15 paragraphs

Based on information and records reviewed by FDA, including your website, https://bluehorizonstemcells.com, (last visited May 2026), your products are intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease or conditions in humans and/or are intended to affect the structure or function of the body. For example,

After identifying your products, and under the heading “What Can We Treat,” your homepage lists various diseases and conditions, including:o Digestive System Diseases, including Hepatic steatosis and Chronic pancreatitiso Respiratory Diseases, including Allergic rhinitis, Rhinitis, and Sinusitiso Rheumatic Diseases, including Lupuso Endocrine Diseases, including Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Hypothyroidismo Musculoskeletal Diseases, including Myositis, and Sports-related injury complicationso Cardiovascular Diseases, including Coronary artery disease

Your home page states, “Our stem cell treatments use ethically sourced cells from umbilical cord blood and adipose tissue to treat chronic conditions, injuries, and degenerative diseases.” This statement is followed by a link to your stem cell treatment webpage and a list of uses for stem cells: “Tissue regeneration[;] Immune modulation[;] Anti-inflammatory effects[; and] Pain reduction”.

Under the heading “Revolutionary Stem Cell Therapy,” your stem cell treatment webpage states, “Explore the power of stem cells in treating various medical conditions[,]” followed by, among other conditions and diseases:o Neurological Marvels …Spinal Cord Regeneration Stroke Recovery Multiple Sclerosis Reliefo Cardiovascular Miracles …Myocardial Rejuvenation …Cardiomyopathy Triumph Reversing Atherosclerosiso Musculoskeletal Wonders …Osteoarthritis Solutions Rheumatoid Arthritis Breakthrougho Lung Restoration … Defying COPDo Liver Regeneration Reviving Liver Function Cirrhosis Reversalo Bowel Revolution Conquering Crohn’s Diseaseo Metabolic Transformation Diabetes Remissions

Under the heading “Our Results” on your exosome webpage, “These exosomes demonstrate strong regenerative and anti-inflammatory properties…”

Under the heading “Our Exosomes” on your homepage: “These next generation therapies enhance tissue regeneration, reduce inflammation, and support natural healing processes through the body.”

Under the heading “What Are Exosomes” on your exosome webpage, “Functionally, exosomes are pivotal in regulating immune responses, promoting tissue repair, and facilitating cellular regeneration.”

Therefore, your products are drugs as defined in section 201(g)(1) of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. § 321(g)(1), and biological products as defined in section 351(i) of the PHS Act, 42 U.S.C. § 262(i).

Your umbilical cord blood derived stem cell product is also a human cell, tissue, or cellular or tissue-based product (HCT/P) as defined in 21 CFR 1271.3(d) and is subject to regulation under 21 CFR part 1271, issued under the authority of section 361 of the PHS Act, 42 U.S.C. § 264. HCT/Ps that do not meet all the criteria in 21 CFR 1271.10(a) are not regulated solely under section 361 of the PHS Act and the regulations in 21 CFR part 1271. Unless an exception in 21 CFR 1271.15 applies, such products are regulated as drugs, devices, and/or biological products under the FD&C Act and/or the PHS Act and are subject to additional regulation, including applicable premarket review. Based on a review of relevant materials, Blue Horizon International does not qualify for any exception in 21 CFR 1271.15, and your umbilical cord blood derived stem cell product fails to meet all criteria in 21 CFR 1271.10(a).

Your umbilical cord blood derived stem cell product fails to meet the criterion that the HCT/Ps be “intended for homologous use only.” Homologous use means that the “labeling, advertising, or other indications of the manufacturer’s objective intent” demonstrate that the HCT/P is intended to perform “the same basic function or functions in the recipient as in the donor” (21 CFR 1271.3(c) and 1271.10(a)(2)). Your umbilical cord blood derived stem cell product is not intended solely to perform the same basic function or functions of the HCT/P in the recipient as in the donor (e.g., forming and replenishing the lymphohematopoietic system). Rather, your umbilical cord blood derived stem cell product is intended for use in the treatment of several diseases and conditions, including multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular and musculoskeletal conditions, which is not a basic function of umbilical cord blood in the donor.

Moreover, your umbilical cord blood derived stem cell product fails to meet the criterion in 21 CFR 1271.10(a)(4) because it is manufactured from allogeneic umbilical cord blood, is dependent on the metabolic activity of living cells for their primary function, and is not for autologous use, allogeneic use in a first-degree or second-degree blood relative, or reproductive use.

Therefore, this HCT/P is not regulated solely under section 361 of the PHS Act, 42 U.S.C. § 264, and the regulations in 21 CFR part 1271.2 See 21 CFR 1271.20. In addition to being regulated under section 361 of the PHS Act and 21 CFR part 1271, your umbilical cord derived product is regulated as a drug as defined in section 201(g)(1) of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. § 321(g)(1), and a biological product as defined in section 351(i) of the PHS Act, 42 U.S.C. § 262(i), as stated above.

To lawfully market a drug that is also a biological product, a valid biologics license must be in effect. 42 U.S.C. § 262(a). Such licenses are issued only after a demonstration that the product is safe, pure, and potent. While in the development stage, such products may be distributed for clinical use in humans only if the sponsor has an investigational new drug application (IND) in effect as specified by FDA regulations. 21 U.S.C. § 355(i); 42 U.S.C. § 262(a)(3); 21 CFR Part 312. Neither of your products are the subject of an approved biologics license application (BLA) nor is there an IND in effect for either of them.

Both your products, the umbilical cord blood derived stem cell product and the WJ-MSC/UC exosome product, are misbranded drugs under section 502(f)(1) of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. § 352(f)(1). A drug is misbranded under section 502(f)(1) if the drug fails to bear adequate directions for its intended use(s). “Adequate directions for use” means directions under which a layperson can use a drug safely and for the purposes for which it is intended. 21 CFR 201.5. Prescription drugs, as defined in section 503(b)(1)(A) of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. § 353(b)(1)(A), can only be used safely at the direction, and under the supervision, of a licensed practitioner.

Your products are intended for use in the treatment of one or more diseases that are not amenable to self-diagnosis or treatment without the supervision of a licensed practitioner. Therefore, it is impossible to write adequate directions for a layperson to use your products safely for their intended purposes. Accordingly, your products fail to bear adequate directions for its intended uses and, therefore, is misbranded under section 502(f)(1) of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. § 352(f)(1). Misbranding your products while they are held for sale after shipment of the drug or one or more of its components in interstate commerce is prohibited under section 301(k) of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. § 331(k).

3Conclusion

4 paragraphs

This letter is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of deficiencies that may exist in connection with your products. You are responsible for investigating and determining the causes of any violations and for preventing their recurrence or the occurrence of other violations. It is your responsibility to ensure full compliance with all applicable requirements in the FD&C Act, PHS Act, and all applicable regulations.

This letter notifies you of our concerns and provides you with an opportunity to address them. Failure to adequately address these matters may result in action without further notice including, without limitation, seizure and/or injunction.

Response requested

Please submit your response in writing within fifteen (15) working days from your receipt of this letter, outlining the specific steps you have taken or plan to take to address any violations and prevent their recurrence. Include any documentation necessary to show that the matters have been addressed. If you cannot address these matters within fifteen (15) working days, please explain the reason for your delay and the timeframe for completion. If you do not believe your products are in violation of the FD&C Act, PHS Act, or applicable regulations, include your reasoning and any supporting information for our consideration.

Send your electronic response and any questions regarding this letter to CBER’s Office of Compliance and Biologics Quality, Division of Case Management at CBERDCMRecommendations@fda.hhs.gov.

Sincerely,/S/

Vincent AmatrudoDirector (Acting)Office of Compliance and Biologics QualityCenter for Biologics Evaluation and Research

_______________________

1 We direct your attention to FDA’s Public Safety Notification on Exosome Products, available at https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/safety-availability-biologics/public-safety-notification-exosome-products. FDA issued this public safety notification following multiple reports of serious adverse events experienced by patients who were treated with exosome products.

2 Because your products fail to meet at least one criterion in 21 CFR 1271.10(a), this letter does not evaluate all other criteria in 21 CFR 1271.10(a).

Citations and trends

Each 21 CFR section, ISO 13485 clause and issue type in this letter, how often it appears across all letters, and its trend by the year FDA issued the letters. 2026 runs to Nov 3, 2026, compared with the same dates last year. Select a row or a bar to see those letters in Letters. As cited in this historical letter, not a statement of current requirements.

Regulations

21 CFR 1271.27letters cite it
2 letters issued this year vs 1 by the same date last year · +100%About 21 CFR 1271.2 →
020210202202023220243202522026

Also cited: 21 CFR 1271, 21 CFR 312

Issue types

OtherAI-assigned issue type140letters1finding here
25 letters issued this year vs 30 by the same date last year · -17%

Record details

Issuing center
Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research
Issuing office
Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research
Location
Hackensack, NJ, United States
Letter posted date
Jun 2, 2026
Letter issue date
May 26, 2026
Addressed to
Chief Medical Officer and Founder
Inspection dates · model-assisted
May 26, 2026 to May 26, 2026
Response window
15 working days after receipt of this letter
Read the source clause
Please submit your response in writing within fifteen (15) working days from your receipt of this letter, outlining the specific steps you have taken or plan to take to address any violations and prevent their recurrence.
Record length
1,527 words · 2 recorded redactions
Published status
No published close-out
FDA reference
CBER 26-728085
Original letter
View on FDA.gov (opens in a new tab)
Dataset last checked
Nov 11, 2026 · How this is built

A response window is not a calculated due date. Source excerpts are selected passages. Finding interpretations and categories are model-assisted. Verify the original letter before relying on a finding.

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