International Stem Cell Corporation (OTCBB:ISCO), www.internationalstemcell.com,
announced today that the recent action of a federal district judge
blocking federal funding of embryonic stem cell research is not expected
to have negative effects on ISCO's therapeutic programs using its human
parthenogenetic stem cells.
According to ISCO's Chairman Ken Aldrich, 'Because we have never
depended on federal or state money to fund our research, the new ruling
is simply not applicable to any of our programs in the US or any of our
international efforts. Although we believe anything that restricts
legitimate scientific research is detrimental to science and our Country
and hope the ruling is quickly reversed, the ruling could in a strange
way benefit ISCO by creating additional incentives for researchers to
use our parthenogenetic stem cell lines.'
Because ISCO's technology, parthenogenesis, does not destroy or damage a
viable human embryo, its parthenogenetic stem cell lines ('hpSC') offer
an alternative way to continue research previously done with embryonic
cell lines without raising ethical issues about the destruction of life.
Published peer-reviewed papers have shown hpSC to be 'pluripotent,' a
characteristic shared with embryonic stem cells that allows them to
become tissues leading to all the cells found in the human body.
Therefore, ISCO's hpSC lines offer an alternative to the ethical issues
that continue to be problematic for embryonic stem cells.
When enacted, legislation prohibiting the creation of a human embryo for
research purposes prohibited both successful methods, such as
fertilization, as well as less understood methods such as
parthenogenesis. Parthenogenetic methods since developed by ISCO do not
create human embryos that could become viable human beings, yet can
result in pluripotent hpSC lines with potential therapeutic value. 'The
recent court ruling may cause Congress to revisit its legislation. If
so, then ISCO's research showing its hpSC lines present an alternative
to embryonic stem cells, without raising the ethical concerns about the
creation or destruction of viable human life, may lead to Congress
allowing federal funding of hpSC in future legislation. ISCO would then
be free to provide hpSC lines to federally-funded researchers and move
more of our work back into the US from foreign jurisdictions,' said
Jeffrey Janus, Senior Vice President of ISCO and one of its founders.
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, develops a line of cosmeceutical products via
its subsidiary Lifeline Skin Care and advances novel human stem
cell-based therapies where cells have been proven to be efficacious but
traditional small molecule and protein therapeutics do 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,
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," "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 Jeffrey
Janus, Sr. Vice President, Operations 760-640-6383 jjanus@intlstemcell.com |