International Stem Cell Corporation (OTCBB:ISCO), www.internationalstemcell.com,
via its wholly-owned subsidiary, Lifeline Cell Technology® (Lifeline) www.lifelinecelltech.com,
and Sristi Biosciences, www.sristibio.com,
have entered into a distribution agreement for the Lifeline® brand of
human cell culture products in India.
Lifeline specializes in development, manufacture and distribution of
primary human cells and media and growth factors for optimized culturing
of cells, including stem cells. These products are being requested by
customers internationally, including in India, which represents one of
the fastest growing markets for products of this kind.
According to Lifeline's CEO and SVP of Operations at ISCO, Jeffrey
Janus, 'Sristi Biosciences is part of one of the most experienced
biotechnology companies in India and the first to advance cell therapy
into human trials in that country. Their network among academic and
corporate researchers and experience and capacity to import and handle
primary cell cultures, media and growth factors in India will be highly
valuable for Lifeline to continue the international commercial expansion
of its brand.'
Lifeline's scientists have over 20 years of experience developing
products for the culture of human cells. The company has made
significant contributions to the creation and standardization of human
cell systems used today for clinical applications and in academic,
government and pharmaceutical research laboratories. The group sells
over 75 standardized products directly and via its distributors in the
US and abroad. It also engages in customized product development for its
largest customers.
Dr. Sudhir Reddy, Sristi Biosciences' CEO adds, 'We are pleased to be
the first company to introduce the Lifeline products to the growing
Indian research market. Our cell culture experience and broad market
reach in India will benefit the brand and help Sristi Biosciences
further accelerate its commercialization and corporate growth in the
biomedical field.'
ISCO recently announced the beginning of a collaboration on its human
corneal tissue, CytoCor™, with leading Indian eye hospital and research
center, Sankara Nethralaya, and Letter of Intent with Insight
Bioventures India (IBVI) to seek funding and establishment of
development and manufacturing operations for ISCO's research and
pharmaceutical products in India (ISCO India), including the Lifeline
products and CytoCor.
'The Lifeline distribution agreement with Sristi Biosciences is central
to ISCO's international expansion. Besides facilitating
commercialization of the Lifeline products in India, Sristi Biosciences'
cell therapy development, regulatory and manufacturing expertise will be
important as ISCO and IBVI seek to establish ISCO India with
cost-efficient development and manufacturing of research and
pharmaceutical products for the Indian and broader Asian markets,' says
Brian Lundstrom, ISCO's President.
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 most 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 of
differing 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 on ISCO's website.
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ABOUT SRISTI BIOSCIENCES
Sristi Biosciences Private Limited is a result of twelve years of
research and corporate development in the therapeutic space and is the
healthcare component of leading biotechnology group, SRI Biotech, in
India. Sristi Biosciences' two main divisions include Tissue Engineering
and Cell Therapy that has pioneered chondrocytes-based cell therapy in
India and Drug Discovery that covers the Indian research product market
with natural compound libraries, molecular diagnostics and markers,
informatics and cell-based products. Sristi's integrated research and
development facility in Hyderabad is state-of-the-art and the company
has wide collaborative and commercial presence across the research
market in India, including 23 leading biotech institutes and major
corporate bodies.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Statements pertaining to anticipated developments and therapeutic
applications, the potential benefits of collaborations, affiliations,
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 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 |