International Stem Cell Corporation (OTCBB:ISCO), through its wholly
owned subsidiary Lifeline Cell Technology (Lifeline), has signed a
manufacturing and distribution agreement with BioTime, Inc.,
(OTCBB:BTIM) (Alameda, CA) and BioTime's
wholly owned subsidiary Embryome Sciences, Inc., to jointly produce and
distribute hundreds of new standardized human and animal stem cell
lines, along with corresponding data and reagents. The mutual goal is to
provide the "picks and shovels"
for scientists mining the stem cell field for therapeutics in the
emerging fields of regenerative medicine and pharmaceutical drug
discovery.
These unique stem cell lines (called "progenitor"
cell lines) possess the potential to expand and become specific types of
tissues and cells such as heart, liver, skeletal muscle, bone, retinal,
nerve, pancreas and others – all necessary to
study various human diseases where regenerative medicine shows great
promise.
"There is a large opportunity in providing
high-quality progenitor cell lines and other basic research tools for
use in stem cell research and drug discovery, especially since $3
billion in research funds for California's
Proposition 71 are now becoming available. International Stem Cell's
and BioTime's combined strengths and
technologies, and our ability to move quickly put us in an excellent
position in this emerging market," said
Jeffrey Janus, President of International Stem Cell and CEO of Lifeline. "We
are fortunate to work with Dr. Michael West, CEO of BioTime and Embryome
Sciences. Dr. West has established the field of 'embryomics' which is
the science of characterizing all of the complex cell types that can be
derived from human embryonic stem (hES) cells. Dr. West's
expertise, along with International Stem Cell's
experience in manufacturing standardized human cells and reagents is a
spectacular opportunity to become a leading provider of the next
generation of tools for stem cell research."
According to Dr. West, "While many have
focused on the therapeutic opportunities of hES cells, and the generous
$3 billion of funding provided by the State of California to fund this
research, we believe that the greatest rate of return on investment may
be in commercializing research products. We intend to win the race to
profitability in this important field of medicine."
Under the collaborative production and manufacturing agreement, the
parties intend to manufacture ESpyTM cell lines
(derivatives of hES cells that send beacons of light in response to the
activation of particular genes), as well as a host of supplies
scientists will utilize in the field of stem cell research. The
progenitor cell lines will be produced and distributed in joint efforts
utilizing Embryome Sciences' proprietary "Embryomics™"
technology, International Stem Cell's
proprietary parthenogenetic stem cell lines derived from unfertilized
human eggs and technology and approved hES cell lines licensed from the
Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF). Data on these lines will be
presented on Embryome Sciences' future
Embryome.com online database. International Stem Cell will contribute
its manufacturing and quality control expertise backed by a staff with
over 150 years of experience in the field.
Embryome Sciences also plans to develop and market other products for
use by stem cell researchers including growth and differentiation
factors that can permit researches to manufacture specific cell types
from embryonic stem cells, and purification tools useful to researchers
in quality control of products for regenerative medicine. In addition to
its own products, Embryome Sciences plans to market with Lifeline
proprietary cell growth media optimized for the growth of human
embryonic progenitor cells, as a product line called ESpanTM.
About BioTime, Inc. (BTIM.OB):
BioTime, headquartered in Alameda, California, develops blood plasma
volume expanders, blood replacement solutions for hypothermic (low
temperature) surgery, organ preservation solutions, and technology for
use in surgery, emergency trauma treatment and other applications.
BioTime's lead product Hextend is manufactured and distributed in the
U.S. by Hospira, Inc. and in South Korea by CJ Corp. under exclusive
licensing agreements. BioTime has recently entered the field of
regenerative medicine through its wholly owned subsidiary Embryome
Sciences, Inc. where it plans to develop new medical and research
products using embryonic stem cell technology. Additional information
about BioTime can be found on the web at www.biotimeinc.com.
Hextend®, PentaLyte®,
HetaCool®, EmbryomicsTM,
ESpyTM, and ESpanTM
are trademarks of BioTime, Inc.
About International Stem Cell Corporation (ISCO.OB):
International Stem Cell Corporation (ISCO) 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 also 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.
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Forward-Looking Statements Statements pertaining to future financial and/or operating results,
future growth in research, technology, clinical development and
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Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including,
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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. Key Words:Stem Cells, Biotechnology, Parthenogenesis, Liver
disease
International Stem Cell Corporation Jeffrey Janus, President,
760-940-6383 jjanus@intlstemcell.com William
Adams, Chief Financial Officer, 760-940-6383 wadams@intlstemcell.com |