International Stem Cell Corporation (OTCBB: ISCO) today announced that
two of its leading scientists, Vice President Dr. Ruslan Semechkin and
Director of Research and Therapeutic Development Dr. Nikolay Turovets,
will present the results of their most recent experiments on the
therapeutic use of human parthenogenetic stem cells (hpSCs) at the 14th
Annual Meeting of American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy in Seattle.
ISCO's breakthrough discoveries have resulted in a new type of
pluripotent human stem cells with distinct advantages over other human
pluripotent stem cells. ISCO uses unfertilized oocytes to create human
"parthenogenetic" stem cells. Like embryonic stem cells, hpSCs are
pluripotent, i.e. they have the capacity to become almost any cell type
in the body, yet avoid ethical issues associated with use or destruction
of viable human embryos. Unlike embryonic stem cells, hpSCs can be
created in a form such that cells from a single donor can be
immunologically matched to millions of individuals.
The data presented at the Seattle conference represents progress made in
two specific areas: 1) the successful derivation of neuronal stem cell
lines, which can potentially be used for treatment of degenerative
diseases of the central nervous system (CNS), and 2) the differentiation
of hpSCs towards liver cells and their progenitors.
Dr. Semechkin's oral presentation titled "Neural Stem Cells of
Parthenogenetic Origin" will be on Thursday, May 19, 2011 at 4:15 pm.
Dr. Turovets poster presentation titled "An in vitro Analog of the
Primitive Streak to Derive High-Purity Definitive Endoderm Lineages
Uncontaminated with Undifferentiated Cells" will be on Saturday, May 21,
2011.
About International Stem Cell Corporation
International Stem Cell Corporation is 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 the 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 genders, ages and racial background. This offers the
potential to create the first true stem cell bank, UniStemCell™. 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 www.internationalstemcell.com.
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Forward-looking Statements
Statements pertaining to anticipated developments, the potential
benefits of research programs and products, 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, 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.
International Stem Cell Corporation 760-940-6383 Ruslan
Semechkin, PhD Vice President, ISCO CEO & President, Lifeline
Skin Care ras@intlstemcell.com Or: Nikolay
Turovets, Ph.D. Director, Research and Therapeutic Development nturovets@intlstemcell.com |