International Stem Cell Corporation (OTCBB:ISCO), www.internationalstemcell.com,
applauds a recent announcement by researchers at Nationwide Children's
Hospital showing the use of parthenogenetic stem cells as a potential
strategy to treat genetic diseases such as Huntington's disease, beta
thalassemia or tuberous sclerosis.
In a scientific paper entitled, "Gene therapy by allele selection in a
mouse model of beta-thalassemia" recently published in the Journal of
Clinical Investigation, a team of researchers from the Center for
Molecular and Human Genetics (Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus,
OH), the University of Pennsylvania, the University of North Carolina
and the University of Minnesota led by John McLaughlin Ph.D., describe
how they used a mouse model of an inherited blood disorder to show that
parthenogenesis could be used to create "genetically clean" stem cells.
These parthenogenetic stem cells demonstrated the ability to correct
certain symptoms of such a disease.
Dr. Andrey Semechkin, CEO of ISCO, commented, "We at ISCO are
particularly pleased to note this animal model research into the
potential of parthenogenetic stem cells since ISCO has created method
for creating immortal human parthenogenetic stem cell (hpSC) lines. We
are constantly seeking ways to use such technology to treat human
diseases, and this announcement is a positive indication showing the
potential of parthenogenetic stem cells to treat certain types of
autosomal dominant diseases such as particular forms of beta thalassemia
or even Huntington's disease. We expect that the transition from animal
models to human therapy using parthenogenetic cells will continue to
evolve as ISCO continues to conduct its own therapeutic research and to
collaborate with researchers across the world to discover new ways to
use parthenogenesis and parthenogenetic stem cells to cure human
disease. We have great hope that animal research such as that just
reported will open new doors to human therapy and look forward to making
our human parthenogentic lines available for such therapies."
ISCO created and patented the first proven technology to create human
parthenogenetic stem cell lines from unfertilized human eggs. This
technology has similar potential advantages as those described in the
work done at Nationwide Children's Hospital; i.e., the creation of human
parthenogenetic stem cells that could eliminate a defective copy of a
gene and can be immune-matched to the egg donor. ISCO's technology has
the additional ethical advantage of not harming a viable human embryo.
Dr Semechkin continues, "ISCO is actively conducting research on the
creation and application of differentiated derivatives of hpSC for
therapeutic use. Specifically, ISCO has initiated a number of
pre-clinical animal studies utilizing both hepatocytes and separately
retina pigment epithelium cells, derived from hpSC. ISCO's scientists
were also the first to demonstrate the ability of hpSC to differentiate
into neural cells and to develop approaches to obtain stable lines of
parthenogenetic neural cells. These achievements open up the opportunity
to assess the efficacy and safety of using parthenogenetic stem cells as
a source to create neural cells for the treatment of diseases such as
Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and other neurodegenerative disorders. The
work presented by Dr. McLaughlin once again confirms ISCO's unique
position in the field of stem cell based therapies."
The work done by Dr. McLaughlin can be found at: http://www.jci.org/articles/view/45377?search%5Barticle_text%5D=&search%5Bauthors_text%5D=mclaughlin.
ABOUT INTERNATIONAL STEM CELL CORPORATION (ISCO.OB):
International Stem Cell Corporation is a California-based biotechnology
company focused on the therapeutic applications of human parthenogenetic
stem cells and the development and commercialization of cell-based
research and cosmetic products. ISCO's core technology, parthenogenesis,
results in creation of pluripotent human stem cells 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 and cell-based skin care products through its
subsidiary Lifeline Skin Care. 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 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, 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, Senior Vice President
760-940-6383
jjanus@intlstemcell.com |
