International Stem Cell Corporation (OTCBB:ISCO) announced today that
its human parthenogenetic stem cell lines will be used in studies aimed
at creating liver cells to treat human liver disease.
The studies will be carried out under a Material Transfer Agreement
between ISCO and the University of California, San Francisco. Holger
Willenbring, MD, UCSF assistant professor of surgery, will direct the
research.
"The fact that Dr. Willenbring and the
University of California at San Francisco are testing the ability of ISCO's
human parthenogenetic stem cells to form liver cells is a strong
validation of their potential value in creating therapeutic cells that
have significant immune rejection advantages and significant ethical
advantages," said Jeffrey Janus, ISCO's
President.
ISCO's human parthenogenetic stem cells are
created from unfertilized human eggs and do not involve the destruction
of fertilized embryos, yet share with conventional human embryonic stem
cells the ability to differentiate into all tissue types. They also are
the first step in solving one of the major obstacles to stem cell
therapy, the rejection of implanted cells by the patient's
own immune system.
Human parthenogenetic stem cells will be expanded and differentiated
into liver cells in culture. The function and hence therapeutic value of
these liver cells will be tested by transplantation into an
immune-deficient mouse model of human liver disease.
A description of ISCO's human parthenogenetic
stem cells and their potential to solve critical immune rejection
problems was reported in ISCO's peer review
paper published December 19, 2007 in the online edition of Cloning
and Stem Cells Journal: http://www.liebertonline.com/doi/pdfplus/10.1089/clo.2007.0063.
Elena Revazova, M.D., Ph.D., ISCO's Chief
Scientific Officer, stated, "ISCO has created
a human parthenogenetic stem cell line called phSC-Hhom-4. Cells derived
from this line will not be immune rejected after transplantation into
millions of individuals of differing sexes, ages and racial groups." "Our business model,"
added Mr. Aldrich, ISCO's Chairman and CEO, "is
to make our cell lines and intellectual property easily available, and
thereby become a supplier of therapeutic cells for use by patients
around the world. To reach that goal, our intent is to distribute our
human parthenogenetic stem cell lines to as many qualified researchers
as possible so they may develop cures to as many human diseases as
rapidly as possible." "As stem cell therapies using ISCO's
human parthenogenetic stem cell lines are advanced and approved by
researches and regulatory authorities, they will become an integral and
recurring part of future stem cell therapies that are brought to market,"
concluded Mr. Janus.
The information stated above was prepared by ISCO. Nothing in this
statement shall be construed to imply any support or endorsement of
ISCO, or any of its products, by The Regents of the University of
California, its officers, agents and employees.
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, Liver
disease
International Stem Cell Corporation Kenneth C. Aldrich, Chairman,
CEO, 760-940-6383 kaldrich@intlstemcell.com or Jeffrey
Janus, President, 760-940-6383 janusj@lifelinecelltech.com |