International Stem Cell Corporation (OTCBB: ISCO) announced today that
it has entered into an exclusive agreement with CellSystems
Biotechnologie to distribute laboratory-cultured models of human skin
useful for testing the hazardous properties of consumer products and for
dermatological and pharmaceutical research. Such testing is likely to be
soon required for certain types of consumer products sold into the
European Union.
According to International Stem Cell's (ISCO)
President Jeffrey Janus, "This agreement is
another positive step in ISCO's strategic plan
to become the primary source of high quality human cells for the
therapeutic and research markets by leveraging its manufacturing and
distribution resources."
ISCO is the first company to develop a unique type of human stem cell
line that promises to eliminate the immune rejection problems that
plague cell-transplantation therapies and opens the potential to create
the first true "Stem Cell Bank."
ISCO's technology, called parthenogenesis,
results in the creation of pluripotent human stem cell lines from
unfertilized human eggs – a fact that
alleviates many ethical issues.
ISCO's human cell and cell culture research
products are manufactured and distributed under the "Lifeline"
brand by wholly-owned subsidiary Lifeline Cell Technology, LLC, based in
Walkersville, Maryland (www.lifelinecelltech.com).
The laboratory-cultured models of human skin, called EST-1000 and
AST-2000 were developed by CellSystems and contain cells manufactured by
Lifeline. These three-dimensional skin cell models are used as
alternative methods to animal testing in the field of Skin Corrosion,
Skin Irritation, Skin Sensitization, Genotoxicity and Phototoxicity.
"We have worked with the Lifeline staff and
know their abilities to provide excellent customer service and their
ability to consistently produce high quality products; a critical factor
for researchers that depend on human cells for the success of their
research," said Horst W. Fuchs, President of
CellSystems Biotechnologie. "This agreement
between our companies opens a distribution channel for CellSystems'
skin model products to scientific researchers throughout the United
States and Canada." "While the sale of these Lifeline stem cell
and research products provides ISCO immediate cash flow, it also helps
embed ISCO's products into successful
therapeutic and quality control procedures worldwide, providing a
revenue stream of shared royalties beyond traditional sales,"
added Janus.
ABOUT CELLSYSTEMS:
CellSystems Biotechnologie Vertrieb GmbH, founded in Germany in 1992 as
a sales and marketing organization, is one of the main providers of
selected high quality and innovative cell culture products to the life
sciences community. For more than fifteen years, CellSystems®
has provided the Life Science community with the most sophisticated cell
biology products available. Their core competency in Human Primary Cells
and adult Stem Cells has resulted in the development of three
dimensional skin cell models which are used as alternative methods to
animal testing in the field of Skin Corrosion, Skin Irritation, Skin
Sensitization, Genotoxicity and Phototoxicity. CellSystems also provides
cell models for Angionenesis, Blood-Brain-Barrier and Inhalation
Toxicology. Visit the CellSystem's web site
at: www.cellsystems.biz.
ABOUT INTERNATIONAL STEM CELL CORPORATION (ISCO.OB):
International Stem Cell Corporation is a California biotechnology
company focused on developing therapeutic and research products. ISCO's
technology, Parthenogenesis, results in the creation of
pluripotent human stem cell lines from unfertilized human eggs. ISCO
scientists have created the first Parthenogenetic homozygous stem
cell line (phSC-Hhom-4) that can be a source of therapeutic cells
that will not be immune rejected after transplantation into millions of
individuals of differing sexes, ages and racial groups. These
advancements offer the potential to create the first true "Stem
Cell Bank" and address ethical issues by
eliminating the need to use or destroy fertilized embryos. ISCO also
produces and markets specialized cells and growth media worldwide for
therapeutic research through its subsidiary Lifeline Cell Technology.
For more information, visit the ISCO website at: www.internationalstemcell.com.
To subscribe to receive ongoing corporate communications please click on
the following link: http://www.b2i.us/irpass.asp?BzID=1468&to=ea&s=0 Forward-Looking Statements Statements pertaining to future financial and/or operating results,
future growth in research, technology, clinical development and
potential opportunities for the company and its subsidiary, along with
other statements about the future expectations, beliefs, goals, plans,
or prospects expressed by management constitute forward-looking
statements. Any statements that are not historical fact (including, but
not limited to statements that contain words such as "will,""believes,""plans,""anticipates,""expects,""estimates")
should also be considered to be forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including,
without limitation, risks inherent in the development and/or
commercialization of potential products, uncertainty in the results of
clinical trials or regulatory approvals, need and ability to obtain
future capital, and maintenance of intellectual property rights. Actual
results may differ materially from the results anticipated in these
forward-looking statements and as such should be evaluated together with
the many uncertainties that affect the company's business, particularly
those mentioned in the cautionary statements found in the company's
Securities and Exchange Commission filings. The company disclaims any
intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements. KEYWORDS: Stem Cells, Biotechnology, Parthenogenesis |