International Stem Cell Corporation (OTCBB:ISCO), www.internationalstemcell.com,
and Sankara Nethralaya, www.sankaranethralaya.org,
announced today commencement of a collaboration to develop ISCO's 'CytoCor™'
stem cell-derived corneal tissue. The goal is to use CytoCor to treat
corneal blindness and vision impairment. 'This is one more step in
ISCO's stated plan of building its portfolio of therapeutic agents
through strategic alliances throughout the world,' said Chairman, Ken
Aldrich.
CytoCor consists of transparent human tissue derived from pluripotent
human stem cells. These structures are produced in the laboratory and
recent testing at Sankara Nethralaya and laboratories in the US has
demonstrated a range of structural, biochemical and refractory
properties characteristic of human cornea.
CytoCor 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
India and the rest of Asia, as well as in Europe. Standardized tissues
derived from pluripotent stem cells, such as the CytoCor tissue, could
eliminate the current problem that corneal tissue derived from donors
may harbor diseases that could be transferred from the donor to the
recipient. It may also provide a much needed alternative to the use of
live and extracted animal eyes in the $500+million market for safety
testing of drugs, chemicals and consumer products.
According to Professor Dr. S. Krishnakumar, 'Sankara Nethralaya is
dedicated to the development and application of new state-of-the-art
ophthalmic technologies. The need for high-volume, high-quality human
corneal tissue is substantial, not only in India but across Asia and
much of Europe. We appreciate the opportunity to join ISCO in their
pursuit to create a new standard of care for the treatment of human
corneal disease.' Initially, Dr. Krishnakumar and his team will be using
the CytoCor tissue in preclinical studies to explore the ability of the
tissue to withstand sutures and bio-compatible glues in order to
validate the potential of the tissue for use in animal or human clinical
trials.
According to Dr. Geetha Krishnan Iyer, who is involved in the management
of ocular surface disease at Sankara Nethralaya, 'The team at Sankara
Nethralaya is pleased to collaborate with ISCO on stem cell-derived
corneal tissue. In vitro studies to evaluate safety and efficacy
of the tissue, as well as surgical feasibility tests will be carried
out, following which there could be clinical application in lamellar
keratoplasty using the above mentioned tissue. With improvements in
surgical techniques over the past few years, the indications for
anterior lamellar keratoplasty have expanded significantly. With high
demand for donor corneal tissue for the same but limited availability,
there is definitely scope for utilizing ISCO's corneal tissue following
relevant tests.'
Jeffrey Janus, Senior VP of Operations at ISCO, states: 'This
collaboration with the excellent team of scientists and clinicians at
Sankara Nethralaya has already proven to be productive. Sankara's
ophthalmology expertise and ISCO's cell culture capabilities constitute
a perfect match to perfect and advance CytoCor tissue towards future use
in treating corneal disease and injuries.'
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
stem cells from unfertilized oocytes (eggs). These proprietary cells
avoid ethical issues associated with use or destruction of viable human
embryos and, unlike all other major stem cell types, can be immune
matched and be a source of therapeutic cells with minimal rejection
after transplantation into hundreds of millions of individuals across
racial groups. ISCO also produces and markets specialized cells and
growth media for therapeutic research worldwide through its subsidiary
Lifeline Cell Technology and is developing a line of cosmeceutical
products via its subsidiary Lifeline Skin Care. ISCO is advancing novel
human stem cell-based therapies where cells have been proven to be
efficacious but traditional small molecule and protein therapeutics have
not. 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, the potential benefits of collaborations, and
other opportunities for the company and its subsidiaries, 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 and the management of collaborations, 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 |