International Stem Cell Corporation (OTCBB:ISCO),
www.intlstemcell.com, today
announced significant progress on its international development strategy
for stem cell-derived human corneal tissue. Such tissue can potentially
be used to replace cadaver-derived corneas in treatment of severe
corneal vision impairment and to eliminate the need to use live animals
in safety testing of drugs, chemicals and consumer products.
During a recent trip to Asia and Europe, an ISCO senior management team
identified and interacted with a group of integrated eye hospitals and
ophthalmology research institutions with world-class laboratory
facilities, along with potential sources of research funding. One of
these is Sankara Nethralaya (www.sankaranethralaya.org),
one of India's leading not-for-profit clinical and research
organizations dedicated to treatment of eye diseases.
Research during the past ten to fifteen years has demonstrated stem cell
differentiation into a variety of human cell types. Rarely has it been
possible to produce such integrated, functional human tissue, in this
case, tissue that has characteristics compatible with human cornea in
structure and function. This tissue technology may offer a
first-in-class opportunity for high-quality, cost-efficient
transplantation tissue for the 10 million people world-wide suffering
from corneal vision impairment, particularly in Asia and Europe. It may
also provide a much needed alternative to the use of live and extracted
animal eyes in the $500+M market for safety testing of drugs, chemicals
and consumer products.
During the coming months, ISCO expects to formalize relationships with a
number of entities such as Sankara Nethralaya to provide ISCO's cornea
development program with the scientific, facility and financial
resources needed to advance the technology as rapidly as possible to
clinical application. The ultimate goal is not only to address the clear
unmet medical and safety testing needs, but also to be among the first
pluripotent stem cell applications to achieve widespread
commercialization.
Dr. Sengamedu Srinivasa Badrinath, President and Chairman Emeritus of
Sankara Nethralaya says: 'At Sankara Nethralaya, we see 1,600 eye
patients and do over 100 eye surgeries a day. We employ sixty scientists
and clinicians dedicated to the development and application of new
state-of-the-art ophthalmic technologies. My senior team at Sankara
Nethralaya and I look forward to helping ISCO advance its cornea
technology that has potential to significantly reduce the severe
quantitative and qualitative limitations in corneal donor tissue across
the world today.'
Brian Lundstrom, ISCO's President, continues: 'The addition of Sankara
Nethralaya to our international collaborative network will contribute
substantial scientific and clinical ophthalmology expertise and
resources and complement the instrumentation alliance with The
Automation Partnership and the safety testing collaboration with
Absorptions Systems. The next step is to organize an experienced
therapeutic development team to establish the optimal development path
with relevant regulatory authorities and create data needed to advance
ISCO's stem cell-derived corneal tissue into clinical trials.'
ABOUT INTERNATIONAL STEM CELL CORPORATION (ISCO.OB):
International Stem Cell Corporation is a California-based biotechnology
company focused on therapeutic and research products. ISCO's core
technology, parthenogenesis, results in creation of pluripotent
human parthenogenetic stem cells (hpSCs) from unfertilized oocytes
(eggs). hpSCs avoid ethical issues associated with the use or
destruction of viable human embryos. ISCO scientists have created the
first parthenogenic, homozygous stem cell line that can be a
source of therapeutic cells with minimal immune rejection after
transplantation into hundreds of millions of individuals of differing
sexes, ages and racial groups. This offers the potential to create the
first true stem cell bank, UniStemCell™, while avoiding the ethical
issue of using fertilized eggs. ISCO also produces and markets
specialized cells and growth media for therapeutic research worldwide
through its subsidiary Lifeline Cell Technology. More information is
available at ISCO's website, www.internationalstemcell.com.
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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Statements pertaining to anticipated technological developments and
therapeutic applications, and other 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," "should," "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, application of capital resources among
competing uses, 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.
Key Words: Stem Cells, Biotechnology, Parthenogenesis
International Stem Cell Corporation Kenneth C. Aldrich, Chairman 760-940-6383 kaldrich@intlstemcell.com Or Brian
Lundstrom, President 760-640-6383 bl@intlstemcell.com |