International Stem Cell (OTCBB:ISCO), www.internationalstemcell.com,
announced today that Dr. Alan Copperman, M.D. has joined the company's
Scientific Advisory Board.
International Stem Cell Corporation, "ISCO"
is a California company that has developed, for the first time under
controlled conditions, human stem cell lines that promise to eliminate
the rejection of transplanted cells by the patient's
immune system. ISCO's technology, called
parthenogenesis, results in the creation of pluripotent human stem cell
lines (called phESC) from unfertilized human eggs. This new methodology
offers the potential to create the first "Stem
Cell Bank" with the capacity to provide
rejection-resistant stem cells that can become any cell in the human
body, and also addresses critical ethical issues by eliminating the need
to use fertilized embryos. ISCO also produces and sells the Lifeline
brand of specialized cells and growth media worldwide for therapeutic
research.
Dr. Copperman is Director of the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology
as well as Vice-Chairman of the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology,
and Reproductive Science at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York.
Additionally, he heads the Reproductive Medicine Associates of New York,
LLP (RMA of New York); a leading full-service Manhattan-based fertility
center. RMA of New York's success in the
fertility-preserving technology of oocyte freezing and thawing has
garnered attention worldwide.
An experienced and respected clinician, he has published numerous
award-winning papers and textbook chapters on egg freezing, infertility,
polycystic ovarian syndrome, and pelvic surgery. New York Magazine has
recognized Dr. Copperman as one of its Best Doctors five years in a row
from 2002 to 2006, and the American Fertility Association awarded him
its 2003 Family Building Award.
Dr. Copperman received his undergraduate degree from the University of
Pennsylvania and his medical degree from New York Medical College. After
earning his degree in medicine, Dr. Copperman completed residency in
Ob/Gyn at Yale-New Haven Hospital, then continued his training at Mount
Sinai Medical Center in New York as the Martin J. Clyman Fellow in
Reproductive Endocrinology. Dr. Copperman is board certified in both
Ob/Gyn and reproductive endocrinology. He is a Fellow of the American
College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and of the American Society
for Reproductive Medicine.
"Dr. Copperman's
research and accomplishments in the field of Reproductive Endocrinology
and, in particular, the freezing and handling of human eggs, are of
particular importance to International Stem Cell,"
said Jeff Krstich, CEO. "Innovations that
increase the efficiencies in the stem cell creation process are
beneficial and serve to accelerate progress. We are fortunate to add
such a noted and respected researcher and clinician to our prestigious
Scientific Advisory Board."
In addition to Dr. Copperman, ISCO's
Scientific Advisory Board includes:
Hans S. Keirstead, PhD- Dr. Keirstead is the Principal
Independent Scientific Advisor and one of the leading lights in the
development of Stem Cell therapy. He is currently working with ISCO's
parthenote stem cells to create transplant therapies for the possible
treatment of macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa (announced
March 19, 2007). A Canadian-born neuroscientist, he received his Ph.D.
from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. His Ph.D.
thesis concerned his invention of a novel method for regenerating
damaged spinal cords, and formed the basis of several worldwide patents.
His Ph.D. work constituted the first demonstration of functional
regeneration of the injured adult spinal cord, and for his achievements
he received the Cameron Award for the outstanding Ph.D. thesis in Canada.
In 2000, Dr. Keirstead became a tenure-track Assistant Professor in the
Reeve-Irvine Research Center at the University of California Irvine. The
Reeve-Irvine Research Center, founded by actor Christopher Reeve and
philanthropist Joan Irvine, is a leading center for spinal cord injury
research. There, he directs a 20 person research team investigating the
cellular biology and treatment of spinal cord trauma; research that also
has significance for multiple sclerosis and other diseases of the
nervous system.
Bernard M. Wagner, MD- Dr. Wagner is an Emeritus Research
Professor of Pathology at New York University Medical Center and
Emeritus Clinical Professor of Pathology, College of Physicians &
Surgeons, Columbia University, New York. He is a Diplomat of the
American Board of Pathology and Diplomat (Hon.), of the American College
of Veterinary Pathologists. Dr. Wagner is also a Fellow of the Royal
College of Pathologists (London); Fellow, Academy of Toxicologic
Sciences; Fellow, New York Academy of Medicine; Member, Committee on
Toxicology, National Academy of Sciences; Qualified Expert, European
Council, Safety Assessment; Member Executive Committee, Board of
Directors, American Registry of Pathology, Armed Forces Institute of
Pathology; Member, GRAS Expert Panel (FDA); and Fellow of American
Academy of Arts and Sciences. Currently, he is a Senior Consultant for
Roche and Consultant for ICOS Corp.
Michael Karas, PhD, MD- Dr. Karas was educated in Russia and
Israel and came to the United States to join the Diabetes Branch of the
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. He led
the Cell Engineering Group of Cambrex Corporation and currently leads a
program at FMC Corporation developing novel platform technologies for
the delivery of active ingredients. He is a specialist in cellular and
molecular biology as they relate to cell differentiation.
ABOUT INTERNATIONAL STEM CELL CORPORATION:
International Stem Cell is a biotechnology company currently focused on
developing therapeutic and research products. In the area of therapeutic
product development, ISCO's objective is to create an unlimited source
of human cells for use in the treatment of several diseases, including
diabetes, liver disease and retinal disease through cell transplant
therapy. In furtherance of this objective, ISCO has developed
pluripotent human stem cells from unfertilized human eggs, and
techniques to cause those stem cells to be "differentiated" into the
specific cell types required for transplant. It has developed
manufacturing protocols to produce the cells minimizing contamination
with animal by-products, a characteristic likely to be important in
meeting U.S. Food and Drug Administration requirements. ISCO also
provides the specialized cells and growth media needed for therapeutic
cell transplantation research to academic and commercial researchers in
related fields. For more information, visit the ISCO website at: www.internationalstemcell.com.
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