1. Stem Cells

Category Archives: Stem Cells

Advisor to CIRM Nominated to Board of CIRM Grant Recipient Expecting $5 Million from Agency

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A "special
advisor" to the $3 billion California stem cell agency has been nominated to the board of directors of Sangamo BioSciences, Inc., a
firm that is sharing in a $14.5 million grant from the state research
enterprise.
She is Saira Ramasastry, managing partner of Life Sciences Advisory, LLC, of
Emerald Lake Hills, Ca., and who also has worked as a consultant to
Sangamo. Ramasastry's ties to CIRM go back to at least May of 2010,
when she served as a consultant for the panel that CIRM hired to
review its operations. The panel strongly recommended that CIRM
engage industry more warmly. Since then Ramasastry's contracts with
CIRM have totalled $65,000. Her current $25,000 contract describes
her work for CIRM as "industry analysis and consultation."
Ramasastry's
website says she serves as "a special advisor to CIRM in
industry engagement initiatives and strategic projects." Her
firm also offers expertise to life sciences firms in "strategic
alternatives advisory, strategic options analysis, tailored business
development solutions and innovative financing strategies."
In a news release April 30 announcing her nomination, Sangamo said Ramasastry has worked as a consultant to the Richmond, Ca., company. William Ringo, chairman of Sangamo's board of
directors, said,

 "Saira's
extensive experience in global healthcare investment banking and
strategic advisory consulting will bring valuable financial,
commercial assessment and business development skills to our board."

Compensation for Sangamo directors in 2011 ranged from $75,000 to $35,000 for those who served a full year plus stock options. 

Sangamo is sharing
in a $14.5 million, four-year grant from CIRM with the City of Hope
in Los Angeles dealing with an AIDS- related lymphoma therapy. The
grant was approved in 2009. Sangamo expects to receive $5.2 million from the grant if it runs for the full four years. As of the end of 2011, the firm has received $2.4 million, according to its financial documents. In March, Ellen Feigal, CIRM senior vice
president for research and development, said the effort is due for an
evaluation late this year.  Earlier this year, CIRM terminated one $19 million grant in the same round after it failed to meet milestones.

Sangamo's board is
scheduled to vote on Ramasastry's nomination on June 21. 
The California
Stem Cell Report has asked Ramasastry if she has any comment for
publication. We are also querying CIRM and Sangamo. Their comments
will be carried verbatim when we receive them.
Our take?
Ramasastry's consulting work with both CIRM and Sangamo demonstrates
again the tiny size of the world of stem cell science. It also raises
questions about conflicts of interest involving CIRM and industry. Can
a consultant in such a position serve two masters and serve them both
equally well? CIRM's interests are not necessarily the same as
Sangamo's, which is a publicly traded firm working diligently to
generate profit and financial returns for its shareholders. To do
that, it needs capital from its financial "backers,"
including CIRM. The stem cell agency, however, is in the business of
getting the results that it wants from Sangamo. If not, the grant
can be cancelled. Working for both the stem cell agency, whose
paramount obligation is to the people of California, and a recipient
of the agency's millions is incompatible.

Source:
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A $25 Million 'Cautionary Tale': CIRM and Geron

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California's $25 million venture into the financing of what once was the first hESC clinical trial in the nation serves as a "cautionary tale" for states that use taxpayer dollars to boost technology, according to a New York public policy expert.

The comments by James W. Fossett, who directs the Rockefeller Institute of Government health, Medicaid studies and bioethics research programs, come midway through an Institute of Medicine examination of the performance of the $3 billion California stem cell agency. Its directors are also currently involved in a revision of of the agency's strategic plan.

Writing on the Rockefeller Institute's web site, Fossett analyzed the fallout from Geron's decision last fall to abandon its clinical trial after it determined the effort was too costly. Just three months earlier, the California stem cell agency had signed a $25 million loan agreement with Geron.

Fossett said,

"For the many states using taxpayer dollars to stimulate jobs in a wide range of technologies, this is a cautionary tale."

He wrote,

"(Geron's) decision has attracted widespread opprobrium from bloggers, stem cell advocacy groups, bioethicists and more than a few newspaper columnists — one blogger called it the 'stem cell misstep of the year.'

"This disapproval has also spilled over onto the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) — the state agency that operates the $3 billion California stem cell research program."

He continued,

"CIRM is coming under considerable political pressure to produce viable therapies to justify the large amount of money it’s been spending, and some have interpreted its hasty involvement with Geron as motivated by the desire to have something concrete to brag about."

Fossett said, however,

"There may be less here, however, than all the rhetoric would suggest. While Geron’s trial had acquired a lot of symbolic baggage because of its status as a 'first,' the decision to pull the plug only reflects one decision by one company about one therapy. The company was looking at having to spend a lot more money over a long period to get the therapy through the clinical trials process for what would likely be a small return.

"The political difficulties that Geron’s withdrawal have caused CIRM, however, have lessons for states proposing to spend significant amounts on biotechnology and other research in hopes of stimulating economic growth. Spending money on research intended to develop new therapies is highly risky. The science is difficult, expensive and evolves at a rapid pace that is difficult to integrate with earlier understandings. There are considerable cultural, political and financial obstacles to getting new products out of the lab and into the clinic."

Fossett suggested several approaches that might ease some of the risks. He cited the 2010 CIRM external review report that recommended adjusting priorities. Fossett said,

"States might experiment with providing more support to biotech companies and entrepreneurs with successful track records and less to basic research, which could increase the odds of short-term success."

At last month's CIRM board meeting, directors engaged in what CIRM is inclined to call a robust discussion of priorities for basic research vs. more focused funding for driving therapies into the clinic.

Fossett cited another external review recommendation that CIRM seek out research with a "high probability of clinical success that could 'come from either inside or outside CIRM-funded research, perhaps out of industry and even from outside of California.'" 

Fossett additionally mentioned the use of venture capital techniques that would give states "a chance to participate in the (financial) benefits of successful therapies."

Nonetheless, he wrote,

"Most products and most companies will likely continue to fail."

Source:
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IOM's Lagging Effort for Comments on the $3 Billion California Stem Cell Agency

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With the $700,000 Institute of Medicine inquiry into the performance of the California stem cell agency half complete – at least publicly – the blue-ribbon panel seems to be coming up short on comments from outside of the agency itself.

The major public effort by the IOM to secure comments is the passive posting of forms to be filled out on the IOM web site.

How many responses has the IOM received on those forms? The IOM has not disclosed that information despite two inquiries earlier this month by the California Stem Cell Report.

The prestigious institute is undertaking the study of $3 billion agency under contract with CIRM, which is paying the IOM $700,000. Some CIRM directors have expressed hope that the IOM findings will help build support for another multi-billion dollar state bond measure to renew financing for CIRM. It is scheduled to run out of money for new grants in five years.

So far, the IOM panel has held two public meetings, one in Washington, D.C., and one in the San Francisco area. The final California hearing is scheduled for April 10 in Irvine with the last public meetings scheduled for later this year in Washington.

So far, the panel has heard only from CIRM employees or directors as well as researchers who have received tens of millions of dollars in CIRM grants. The IOM has not heard publicly from a single independent witness.

The IOM has posted on its web site forms seeking comments from the public, grant recipients, beneficiary institutions and businesses. However, passive postings of forms are unlikely to generate more than a relative handful of responses. To produce significant numbers requires aggressive and targeted follow-up.

It is also unclear exactly what the IOM is doing to seek information from biotech businesses and unsuccessful grant applicants. Some businesses have complained publicly about the tiny share of funding that industry has received. And some CIRM directors have expressed concern for several years about the inadequacies of business funding.

On Feb. 12, the California Stem Cell Report queried the IOM about its efforts at outreach, asking for specifics on what is being done. Christine Stencel, a spokeswoman for the IOM, replied,

"The IOM has been obtaining and compiling lists of organizations and people to circulate the questionnaires as widely as possible among target groups. For example, IOM has sent a notice to some 300 stakeholder groups encouraging participation."

Other specifics were not forthcoming. (The full text of the questions and responses can be found here.)

On Feb. 15, the California Stem Cell Report followed up with these additional questions,

"Regarding the 300 stakeholder groups, how are those defined? Please give me a few examples.

"Based on your response, is it correct to say that the IOM is not sending out questionnaires directly to all CIRM grant applicants, including those who were rejected?

"Is it correct to say that no special effort -- other than that described in your response -- is being made to seek responses from stem cell businesses?

"The failure to provide numbers on the responses so far would indicate that the numbers are so small that the IOM is choosing not to disclose them. If that is not the case, please email me the numbers."

As of this writing, the IOM has not responded to those questions. We will carry its response verbatim when we receive it.

Source:
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Researcher Alert: California Stem Cell Agency To Alter How It Administers Grants

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Stem cell researchers and institutions throughout the state are likely to be affected by proposed changes – to be discussed online publicly Tuesday – dealing with how the California stem cell agency will handle its $3 billion in grants.

An important online session – open to all interested parties – comes up then, but advance registration is required.

The proposals are wide-ranging and detailed. The nearly 500 recipients of CIRM grants should examine them closely in addition to any persons seriously interested in California stem cell affairs. The changes deal with such subjects as milestones for research grants, indirect costs, travel costs, withholding payments for failure to file a progress report and much, much more.

Here is a link to the main page for all this, which has instructions on how to register for the online session along with links to the changes and their rationale.

(Editor's note: This item was filed from the Rio Sabana in the Darien in Panama when we found a weak Internet cellular link. We are still underway so postings are unlikely between now and later this month.)

Source:
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International Stem Cell Comments on Recent SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN Article: “You Say Embryo, I Say Parthenote”

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“We at International Stem Cell Corporation (ISCO.OB) are finding it increasingly gratifying that mainstream and highly respected publications like Scientific American are now beginning to take notice of the fact that our Parthenogenetic Stem cells may well turn out to be a viable alternative to the embryonic stem cells that have dominated research and headlines for the last 10 years. 
Like embryonic stem cells, our Parthenogenetic stem cells can be converted into almost any kind of cell that might ever be needed for therapy, but can also provide a solution to the two biggest issues that have surrounded embryonic stem cell research: 1) the ethics of destroying a fertilized embryo, which our process never does, and 2) the problem of immune rejection by the patient.  We hope you enjoy the attached article." 
Ken Aldrich, Founder and Co-Chairman, International Stem Cell Corporation
October 21st, 2011
“You Say Embryo, I Say Parthenote”
Stem cells from unfertilized eggs may be too tightly regulated
By Julia Galef

Source:
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International Stem Cell Corporation's Ken Aldrich Comments on Recent News about SCNT – Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer

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Last week's newspapers carried the news of what was widely described as a significant “breakthrough” in stem cell science: the first successful human use of a technology known as Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (also referred to as SCNT).  This is essentially a variation on a process that was used some years ago to create a cloned sheep named Dolly.  Cloning has since been used commercially in various animal applications.
What is strange about the flurry of publicity about this discovery, however, is the almost total lack of commentary about a method of creating stem cells that has been available to researchers for almost half a decade, holds the same kind of promise as embryonic stem cells for providing cells for the treatment of almost any kind of degenerative disease, is free of ethical issues (including issues with egg donation), and can potentially make immune matched cells available to any patient anywhere in the world, on demand, at a far lower cost.
I am talking about human stem cells derived from a process called, “Parthenogenesis”, developed and first announced in 2007 by a company called International Stem Cell Corporation, whose discoveries were first published in the peer reviewed journal, Cloning and Stem Cells, edited by the scientist who first created “Dolly”, the first cloned animal. 
I realize that I could be accused of bias because I am one of the founders of International Stem Cell, but, in fact, our company also owns license rights to some of the key intellectual property that is required to create cells through SCNT technology and our scientists are very familiar with its promise and its limitations. As a result, International Stem Cell will benefit from the development of either technology, but it is important that the public and the scientific community be fully aware of all alternatives in the field of regenerative medicine, not just the ones that capture public imagination at any particular time.
For that reason, I would like to comment on Parthenogenesis and compare it to SCNT technology and the other options available today. The technology known as "Parthenogenesis" begins with human eggs that are created and used every day throughout the world for in-vitro fertilization (IVF). What is not generally known is that the IVF process can often result in the creation of far more unfertilized eggs than will ever be needed for fertility purposes. It is possible, with informed consent from the IVF patient, to hold back some unfertilized eggs for creation of parthenogenetic stem cells, all at no additional risk to the donor. 
Instead of wasting those eggs, what International Stem Cell does, with the full consent of the donors, is to save those eggs from the trash bin, induce them through a simple, but patented, process to create the small cluster of cells from which a stem cell line can be created that can be used for scientific research and the eventual treatment of patients with such diseases as Parkinson’s, Macular Degeneration, Liver Disease, Diabetes, and possibly many others.
What are critical to understand in thinking about Parthenogenetic stem cells are six things:
Like embryonic stem cells and SCNT cells, these cells can be converted into almost any cell in the human body and thus have enormous potential for human therapy.

Unlike embryonic stem cells, the human eggs used to create parthenogenetic stem cells are never fertilized and cannot become a human being. No viable embryo is ever harmed or destroyed.
Unlike SCNT cells, parthenogenetic stem cells require no genetic manipulation or insertion of foreign DNA.
No donor is every subjected to any additional physical risk beyond what she has already agreed to as part of the IVF procedure in which she elected to participate. In fact, all egg donors voluntarily participate through a very transparent, peer-reviewed, and medically supervised process.  Protocols are approved by Independent Review Boards (IRBs) to protect the safety of donors and by an independent Stem Cell Research Oversight (SCRO) committee to insure compliance with state laws and research ethics, regulations established by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Human Research Protections, in addition to state-level requirements.

The cell lines that are produced from this method, unlike cell lines from embryonic stem cells or from SCNT, can potentially be matched to millions of people in the same way that an organ transplant is matched between donor and patient. In fact, by some estimates, as few as 100 parthenogenetic stem cell lines could provide immune-matched cells to over 50 percent of the world’s population, and could accelerate disease therapies and treatments for severe chronic conditions, including diabetes, spinal cord injuries, liver diseases, blinding diseases such as macular degeneration, and neural diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.

The possibility of immune-matching to millions of persons can vastly reduce the potential costs relative to SCNT or embryonic stem cell technology, which create stem cell lines that can match only a few persons.
In summary, what we find particularly exciting about Parthenogenesis is that it addresses all the major issues of stem cell therapy. It is free from the traditional bioethical issues that have clouded federal policies towards stem cell research because parthenotes are derived from unfertilized eggs and cannot develop into human beings.  Parthenogenesis is not cloning, and it does not involve the creation or destruction of a viable human life.  Also, the creation of a parthenogenetic stem cell bank will not require a large number of human eggs and many individual donors, as has been a fear surrounding other stem cell approaches.  Parthenogenesis is at once effective and efficient, and one line of parthenogenetic stem cells can be used to create treatments for millions of persons.  This is not a situation where one line must be made for each patient treated.
To learn more about Parthenogenesis, visit http://www.internationalstemcell.com, or click on ISCO.OB at any financial web site for information about our company.

Source:
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International Stem Cell's Research Scientists Successfully Completed the First Series of Preclinical Animal Trials of Neuronal Cells

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International Stem Cell Corporation (OTCBB: ISCO) announces today successful completion of the first series of preclinical studies designed to support the safety and utility of neuronal cells derived from human parthenogenetic stem cell line (hpSC). These initial experiments, demonstrating that the derived neuronal cells were able to survive in mice brains without giving rise to tumors, represent a key milestone towards possible therapeutic applications including treating Parkinson's disease.


Dr. Albrecht Müller, Professor at the Institute of Medical Radiology and Cell Research, Würzburg University (Germany), commented: "Human parthenogenetic stem cells are potentially very promising candidates for use in regenerative medicine primarily because of the possibility that they immune-match a large number of recipients. The result of these safety and survival studies is a very important step along the path towards the clinical use of such cells."


Although most cases of Parkinson's disease occur in people with no family history of the disease, a number of genetic mutations have nevertheless been identified with the disease. While the inheritance pattern is largely unknown, as a condition with a genetic component "autologous" treatment, that is to say treatment using the patient's own cells, is far from ideal and does not offer the potential of a cure. To treat Parkinson's disease successfully a source of cells free of the mutated genes is necessary. Human parthenogenetic stem cells provide this source, as well as superior immune-matching capabilities.


ISCO currently has the world's largest collection of human parthenogenetic stem cells including heterozygous examples, where the cells immune match the donor as is the case with induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS), and homozygous examples which immune-match millions of individuals. ISCO is actively expanding this collection of cell lines and creating a "bank" of homozygous human parthenogenetic stem cells that can be used as a platform to not only reduce the chances of tissue rejection, but also make cellular-based therapies economically more viable.


Dr. Ruslan Semechkin, ISCO's Vice President, commented: "One of ISCO's main therapeutic targets is treatment of Parkinson's disease, a common neurodegenerative disease in the US, where the current standard of care is designed mostly to treat the symptoms, but not the disease. These results clearly represent an important step towards the therapeutic application of human parthenogenetic stem cells derived cells in addressing the basic underlying mechanisms and potentially transforming the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases."


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, UniStemCellTM. 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 http://www.internationalstemcell.com 


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Forward-looking Statements
Statements pertaining to anticipated developments, research and development goals and related potential therapeutic treatments, the potential benefits of 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
Kenneth C. Aldrich, co -Chairman
760-940-6383
kaldrich@intlstemcell.com
Or:
Dr. Ruslan Semechkin, Vice President
760-940-6383
ras@intlstemcell.com
Or:
Lippert/Heilshorn & Associates
Don Markley
310-691-7100
dmarkley@lhai.com

Source:
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Representative Brian Bilbray Meets with International Stem Cell Executives to Discuss Research Funding

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International Stem Cell Corporation (OTCBB: ISCO) today announced that Representative Brian Bilbray recently met with Company executives, including Chairman Kenneth Aldrich, President and Chief Executive Officer Andrey Semechkin, and Senior Vice President Kurt May, to discuss key federal government issues relating to stem cell research. Rep. Bilbray represents California's 50th congressional district, which includes portions of San Diego's North County.
Following the meeting, Rep. Bilbray stated, "I have tremendous respect for the innovative healthcare companies in my district, such as International Stem Cell, that are at the forefront of developing important new treatments and therapies. I'm committed to helping remove unnecessary regulations and barriers that may inhibit the research of new life science technologies, and I greatly appreciate the efforts of ISCO's management team to clarify many of the issues surrounding their work."
Said Dr. Semechkin, "We are very pleased to have the opportunity to meet with Congressman Bilbray and explain the importance of our parthenogenesis technology and how it differs from human embryonic stem cell development, particularly from an ethical standpoint. We look forward to continued discussions with Congressman Bilbray and his colleagues regarding the Dickey-Wicker Amendment. We believe that with increased understanding of our technology the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will support parthenogenesis research and development."
About International Stem Cell Corporation
International Stem Cell Corporation is focused on the therapeutic applications of human parthenogenetic stem cells (hpSCs) 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 for hundreds of millions of individuals of differing genders, ages and racial background with minimal immune rejection after transplantation. hpSCs offer 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 http://www.internationalstemcell.com.
To subscribe to receive ongoing corporate communications, please click on the following link: http://www.b2i.us/irpass.asp?BzID=1468&to=ea&s=0.
Forward-looking Statements
Statements pertaining to anticipated developments, 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
Kenneth C. Aldrich, Chairman
760-940-6383
or
Lippert/Heilshorn & Associates
Don Markley
310-691-7100

dmarkley@lhai.com

Source:
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International Stem Cell Names Dr. Andrey Semechkin as Co-Chairman and Kurt May as President and Chief Operating Officer

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International Stem Cell Corporation (OTCBB:ISCO) today announced that its Board of Directors designated Dr. Andrey Semechkin, the Company's Chief Executive Officer, as a Co-Chairman with the Company's founder, Kenneth Aldrich, and also named Kurt May as President and Chief Operating Officer, effective immediately. Mr. May is currently Senior Vice President and this represents both a promotion and the delegation of additional duties and responsibilities consistent with his increasingly important role in the future of ISCO.
Dr. Semechkin commented, "Kurt May is an extremely capable executive who has managed both a multi-billion dollar public company and a successful life sciences startup company. His willingness to assume operational responsibilities for ISCO will allow me, as CEO, to focus more intently on scientific and strategic initiatives that are central to developing ISCO into a major force in the world of stem cell therapy. Working together with the fine team of executives and scientists already within ISCO, I have high hopes and confidence we can reach that goal."
Prior to joining ISCO, Mr. May was a senior executive with GTE Corporation and with PriceSmart, Inc., and the founder and CEO of a privately owned biotech company, Psynomics, based on medical technology derived from the University of California, San Diego. Mr. May served as a faculty member and Assistant Dean of UCSD's Rady School of Management from 2005 to 2009.
During his tenure as PriceSmart's Chief Operating Officer, Mr. May led the company from startup to growth over three years that included establishing 22 stores in 11 countries, reaching annual revenues of more than $500 million, achieving profitability, and expanding staff from 356 to more than 4,200.

"In addition to its therapeutic programs, ISCO is dedicated to building its revenue-generating subsidiaries to high levels of profitability. We view Mr. May's commercial and entrepreneurial skills as an essential part of our business plan for success," said Kenneth Aldrich, Co-Founder and Co-Chairman of ISCO.
About International Stem Cell Corporation
International Stem Cell Corporation is focused on the therapeutic applications of human parthenogenetic stem cells (hpSCs) 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 for hundreds of millions of individuals of differing genders, ages and racial background with minimal immune rejection after transplantation. hpSCs offer 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 http://www.internationalstemcell.com.
To subscribe to receive ongoing corporate communications, please click on the following link:http://www.b2i.us/irpass.asp?BzID=1468&to=ea&s=0.
Forward-looking Statements
Statements pertaining to anticipated developments, 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.
http://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=bwnews&sty=20111006005285r1&sid=14230&distro=ftp
International Stem Cell Corporation

Kenneth C. Aldrich, Co-Chairman
760-940-6383
kaldrich@intlstemcell.com
or
Lippert/Heilshorn & Associates
Don Markley, 310-691-7100
dmarkley@lhai.com

Source:
http://intlstemcell.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss

International Stem Cell Corp. Chairman Kenneth Aldrich Comments on Recent TIME Article “A Stem Cell First: Using the 'Dolly' Method on Human Cells”

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“Since we at International Stem Cell Corporation (trading symbol: ISCO.OB) are licensees of some of the key intellectual property necessary to use SCNT in therapeutic products, we were delighted to read about this new discovery.  However, what disappointed us somewhat was the failure of most news reports to mention that a technology already exists that solves the same ethical problems and has the potential also to solve many of the problems of immune rejection that worry scientists who are working with cells obtained from fertilized embryos.
That technology is called "Parthenogenesis" and results in a "cell line" that can provide an essentially unlimited supply of human cells for a wide range of therapeutic purposes, yet does not involve the destruction of any fertilized embryo and results in cells that can be matched to large groups of people who may not even know the patient, much like the way blood from donors can be stored and used by accident victims as needed. Unlike the SCNT cells, parthenogenetic cells require no genetic manipulation or insertion of foreign DNA.
Our scientists at ISCO created and patented the process for making such human parthenogenetic stem cell lines and have already successfully made liver cells, cornea cells, retina cells and nerve cells from those cell lines.  Each of these applications is being studied as a possible future source of transplanted cells to treat diseases such as Parkinson's, Liver Disease, Macular Degeneration, and others. 
To learn more about parthenogenesis, visit our website at http://www.internationalstemcell.com or click on ISCO.OB at any financial web site for information about our company.”
Kenneth C. Aldrich
Chairman
International Stem Cell Corporation
TIME Article – A Stem Cell First: Using the 'Dolly' Method on Human Cells
About International Stem Cell Corporation
International Stem Cell Corporation is focused on the therapeutic applications of human parthenogenetic stem cells (hpSCs) 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 for hundreds of millions of individuals of differing genders, ages and racial background with minimal immune rejection after transplantation. hpSCs offer 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 http://www.internationalstemcell.com.
To subscribe to receive ongoing corporate communications, please click on the following link:http://www.b2i.us/irpass.asp?BzID=1468&to=ea&s=0 .
Forward-looking Statements
Statements pertaining to anticipated developments, 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.

Source:
http://intlstemcell.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss

Researchers Study CSCs as Therapeutic Targets for Mesothelioma

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Researchers Study Cancer Stem Cells as Therapeutic Targets for Mesothelioma, Asbestos.com, July 26, 2010. Excerpt:

In a study published in the International Journal of Oncology, Cortes-Dericks and colleagues tested whether cancer stem cells in malignant pleural mesothelioma express resistance to cisplatin and pemetrexed, two chemotherapy drugs commonly used to treat mesothelioma cancer.

This news item is based on the OA publication entitled: Putative cancer stem cells in malignant pleural mesothelioma show resistance to cisplatin and pemetrexed by Lourdes Cortes-Dericks, Giovanni L Carboni, Ralph A Schmid and Golnaz Karoubi, Int J Oncol 2010(Aug); 37(2): 437-44. [PubMed citation].

International Stem Cell Corporation: A Multitude Of Potential Products From Its Parthenogenesis Technology by Jason Chew

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International Stem Cell Corporation (ISCO) is at the forefront in the field of stem cell research. Its key technology is a technique to create an immortal stem cell line by activating a human egg to create stem cells without the need for fertilization by a sperm. This method is called parthenogenesis and is one of only two known ways to create human stem cell lines without genetic manipulation that have the potential to become any cell in the body that might be needed for therapy.

Most commonly, these cell lines are created from unwanted embryos stored at IVF clinics. To distinguish the two methods, stem cell lines created through parthenogenesis are called hpSC; those created from fertilized eggs are called “embryonic” or hESC. Both have the potential to create any cell in the human body, but only hpSC lines do not involve the use or destruction of a fertilized human egg.

ISCO has formed several business units to advance its hpSC technology. The Lifeline Skin Care unit has created a stem cell based anti-aging cream. The Lifeline Cell Technologies division encompasses both the sale of growth media and human cells used in stem cell and other research. UniStemCell® was established to create a stem cell bank. And most recently, a business unit call Cytovis® was formed to further the company’s stem cell derived corneal and retinal tissue programs.

The Company launched its skin care products, consisting of a Day and a Night conditioning crème, in December through a joint marketing venture with noted Internet financial and economic advisor, John Mauldin. The initial launch involved only a limited number of targeted customers and was intended to analyze acceptance rates and refine the company’s customer service and delivery systems. The Company has stated that, although the data base needs to be expanded by an additional offering scheduled in January before meaningful statistics can be generated, early customer responses indicate that users of the crèmes are getting favorable results from the product, which confirms the Company’s own pre-market test results.

The market for skin care products is large; according to Mintel market research, total US sales in 2009 was $4.35 billion. By individual brand, the best selling anti-aging creams in 2008 range in market share from 3% for Olay Regenerist, to 1.3% for L’Oreal RevitaLift. Applied to the 2009 sales total, this translates to roughly $130 million and $57 million, respectively. These are likely upper bounds for sales of any new product.

Without the ability to run a large marketing campaign, ISCO is smart to offer its product first to its shareholders and followers. On the surface, its partnership with entrepreneur and newsletter writer John Mauldin seems a bit odd, it will be interesting to see how his marketing skills will be used to convert his 1.5 million readers into Lifeline Skin Care buyers.

ISCO sells reagents and human cells for research through its Lifeline Cell Technology unit. Stem cell research is a fast-growing field requiring specialized, high quality products. Lifeline Cell Technology has signed distribution agreements with such powerhouses as American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) and Millipore for its products, as well as regional distributorships in Europe, Japan and elsewhere. These products generate revenue for the company while providing a source of quality reagents for in-house research.

Other business units under the ISCO umbrella are still in the early stages of development. The unit that may best leverage the hpSC technology may be the UniStemCell cell bank.

One of the major promises in stem cell research is in the field of regenerative medicine. Embryonic and parthenogenetic stem cells can be turned into any human cell type; in theory, these cells can then be used to treat diseases such as diabetes, degenerative brain diseases, cardiac arrest, spinal cord injury, all by aiding in the re-growth of damaged tissue.

A major problem in the use of hESC in regenerative medicine is the ability to find proper matches for the recipient. As with any transplant, strategies must be used to prevent rejection of the donor tissue. By their nature, hESC cell lines express a highly variable set of antigens involved in graft rejection. These antigens are part of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC).

The high variability causes difficulty in finding matches between hESC lines and recipients. On the other hand, hpSC technology produces cell lines with a much more uniform set of MHC molecules. Through proper selection, a single hpSC cell line can provide fairly good histocompatibility match for a large segment of the US population. Additional cell lines can provide matches for additional subgroups so that, in time, a match may be possible for almost all potential transplant candidates.

Through the cell bank, ISCO is providing material for outside groups to conduct cutting edge research and develop therapies based on hpSC technology. The potential is great, but revenue in the form of royalties is far off and uncertain.

Further along in development is the company’s stem cell derived corneal and retinal tissue therapy program. ISCO has partnered with Absorption Systems in the US, Sankara Nethralaya in India, and Automation Partnership in the UK to develop the technology, now under the Cytovis® brand- CytoCor ®for corneal tissue and CytoRet® for retinal tissue.

The Cytovis® technology is in pre-clinical testing and has many potential therapeutic applications including: age-related macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, and the repair of traumatic eye injuries.

The company is also actively testing its CytoCor® tissue for use as an alternative to live animals and animal eyes in drug and consumer products testing. ISCO estimates this to be a $500 million dollar market. Recent laboratory results have shown the CytoCor® corneal tissue to have optical properties. It was also observed to have drug absorption properties similar to real cornea.

The large number of business units is unusual for a company this size. A lack of focus is always a concern, but at the same time, it speaks to the considerable potential of the company’s stem cell technology.

CSCs responsible for metastasis identified

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Cancer stem cells responsible for metastasis identified: HK study, Xinhua News Agency, June 4, 2010. Excerpt:

Hong Kong researchers have identified a subset of cancer stem cells responsible for metastasis in human colorectal cancer which can help better predict the prognosis and design a more suitable treatment for patients, according to a study made public by the University of Hong Kong on Friday.

The researchers from the university's medicine school discovered that cancer stem cells with a surface marker CD26, which marks a subset of cancer stem cells with metastatic capacity, are present in all terminal colon cancer cells and all metastatic cancer cells.

This news item is about the publication: A Subpopulation of CD26+ Cancer Stem Cells with Metastatic Capacity in Human Colorectal Cancer by Roberta Pang and 13 co-authors, including Wai Lun Law, Ronnie T Poon and Benjamin CY Wong [photos of authors], Cell Stem Cell 2010(Jun 4); 6(6): 603-15. [Summary][Twitter entry][Commentary][FriendFeed entry][Science Pond entry].

International Stem Cell Corporation's Parthenogenetic Stem Cell Patent is Approved by the United States Patent and Trademark Office

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International Stem Cell Corporation (OTCBB:ISCO), http://www.intlstemcell.com, announced today that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has granted ISCO patent number 7,732,202, the first of several pending patents relating to its development of human parthenogenetic Stem Cells (hpSC). Human parthenogenetic stem cells are a new type of pluripotent stem cell that allows immune matching to potentially solve critical immune rejection problems, and does not involve the ethical issues that surround the use of fertilized human embryos.

Although ISCO's creation of human parthenogenetic stem cells was first announced in a peer review publication in 2007, the formal allowance of claims by the USPTO will greatly advance the field of regenerative medicine by allowing ISCO to share its knowledge of these hpSC lines more freely with researchers in the US and around the world through partnerships, joint ventures, funded research and licensing arrangements.

The patent protects ISCO's technology platform, allowing the creation of hpSC from unfertilized eggs, exhibiting similar qualities and pluripotency as embryonic stem cells, with the added ability to be immune-matched to the donor, as illustrated in published peer-reviewed articles. Additional discoveries, also previously published in a peer reviewed journal and the subject of pending ISCO patents, illustrate the creation of 'homozygous' hpSC that can be immune matched to millions of persons of differing sexes and racial backgrounds, rather than only to the donor or her family, raising the potential of eventually creating a universal source of stem cells that could benefit most the of the world's population.

Researchers across the world work with ISCO to study different therapeutic applications of hpSC. Through previously announced collaborative arrangements, ISCO's scientists are working with major universities and private research organizations to study hpSC to treat liver disease, diabetes, Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), corneal blindness and various neural degenerative diseases. In one such research collaboration, internationally-recognized stem cell researcher Hans Keirstead, PhD, at the Reeve-Irvine Research Center (University of California, Irvine), recently published a paper, referring to his use of embryonic stem cells and ISCO's hpSC in work focused on the derivation of early retinal progenitor tissue.

Andrey Semechkin, PhD, CEO of ISCO said, 'Other than parthenogenetic stem cells, the three most commonly used and described types of stem cells are human embryonic stem cells (hESC), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS), and adult stem cells, such as those derived from cord blood, adipose tissue or bone marrow. Parthenogenetic stem cells have unique advantages over each of these other cell types, and we anticipate that since our core patent has been issued, we can now accelerate the adoption of our hpSC lines by researchers in the US and throughout the world.'

'International Stem Cell Corporation is particularly proud of these accomplishments because we have been funded thus far entirely by investors, without NIH or other governmental aid,' said Jeffrey Janus, Senior Vice President of ISCO. 'However, once it is generally recognized that parthenogenetic cells have similar characteristics of embryonic stem cells and offer the potential to solve critical immune rejection issues - while not requiring the destruction of viable human embryos - we expect these cells to be increasingly used in government funded research to study ways of reducing human suffering and treating intractable human diseases.'

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). 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(TM), 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. More information is available at ISCO's website, http://www.internationalstemcell.com.

To subscribe to receive ongoing corporate communications please click on the following link: http://www.b2i.us/irpass.asp?BzID=1468&to=ea&s=0.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements pertaining to anticipated technological developments and therapeutic applications, and other opportunities for the company and its subsidiary, 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 updat
e 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

'Sun Never Sets on CIRM' – California Agency Awards $69 Million to Researchers

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The California stem cell agency today
awarded $69 million in grants, including the first involving a collaboration with researchers in China, but none of the awards went to California
biotech businesses.
The awards were made in the agency's
third translational round, which funds projects that are in the
initial stage of identifying drugs or cell types that could become
drug therapies.
CIRM originally allocated $95 million
for the round, but CIRM spokesman Kevin McCormack said that grant
reviewers determined that no applications beyond $69 million were
worthy of funding.
The CIRM governing board overturned a negative
reviewer decision on one grant after the scientist – W. Douglas
Boyd of UC Davis -- filed an appeal. The appeals of two other
researchers, including one from a San Diego business, were not successful (see here
and here).
CIRM did not disclose the number of
applications from businesses. The agency has been sharply
criticized for failing to fund businesses in a substantial way.
The approved grants involve
collaboration with researchers in Australia and Germany as well as
China. The collaborations are based on agreements worked out earlier
by CIRM with overseas groups, which fund their own countries' researchers. No CIRM cash is involved, according to the agency.
CIRM President Alan Trounson, a native
of Australia and researcher there until joining the stem cell agency,
said in a press release,

"The sun now never sets on the
CIRM collaborative projects..."

The news release also said,

 "The
Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology has committed roughly
$850,000 in collaboration with a team at UCSF to study liver failure.
This is the stem cell agency’s first joint effort with scientists
in China, which is home to a fast-growing stem cell research
community."

The UCSF liver team is led by Holger
Willenbring, whose goal is "to develop a source of autologous
therapeutic cells for patients with liver disease who otherwise would
require a liver transplant," according to the CIRM review summary.
The agency did not spell out the details of how the collaboration
would work.
All of the winning applicants, with the
exception of a Salk researcher, work for institutions linked to at
least one of the 29-members of the CIRM governing board. CIRM
directors, however, are barred from voting or even discussing applications in which CIRM attorneys have determined there is a conflict
of interest.
You can find the names of all the successful applicants in the CIRM news release.    

Source:
http://californiastemcellreport.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss

Thin Coverage of California Stem Cell Board Meeting

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Media coverage of yesterday's $69
million in research awards and other matters involving the California
stem cell agency was nearly non-existent today.
That is not unusual, however, since the
$3 billion enterprise is not within the attention span of the
mainstream press and electronic outlets.
The California Stem Report could find
only two stories involving yesterday's actions. One by Ron Leuty
appeared in the San Francisco Business Times and was a look at the grant awards. The other appeared on Nature's website.
Unfortunately, Nature's lead was incorrect.
It said,

 "The California Institute of Regenerative Medicine
(CIRM) voted on 24 May to accept a new strategic planwhich
shrinks or eliminates support for basic research, facilities and
training, while funneling more of its funds toward clinical
development."

The CIRM governing board actually put
off until at least July decisions on which programs to cut and which
to expand. Basic research is not likely, however, to take a major
hit, for a variety of reasons.

Source:
http://californiastemcellreport.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss

CSC news links 2010-04-18

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For links to recent news items, visit these [Twitter] or [FriendFeed] pages. Examples of a few news items that have received attention:

Stem Cell Directors Approve $151 Million to Commercialize Stem Cell Research

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Directors of the California stem cell
agency today approved $151 million in research awards aimed at
commercializing stem cell research and pushing therapies into
clinical treatment.


Patients and researchers cheered when the action was announced. 


The awards of up to $20 million each
were ratified by CIRM's governing board, which added two to the
six applications approved by reviewers. The original
six totalled $113 million. Directors budgeted $243 million
for today's round.


Five of the applications involving
appeals were sent back by the board for more review.
(See here, here and here.)
They will be considered again in early September or October.

The awards are the
second largest research round in CIRM's history,
surpassed only by an another, earlier $211 million “disease team”
round. The latest effort is aimed at bringing
proposed clinical trials to the FDA for approval or possibly starting
trials within four years. That deadline coincides roughly
with the date when CIRM is scheduled to run out of cash unless new
funding sources are developed.
CIRM is currently exploring seeking
private financing. It could also ask voters to approve another state
bond issue. (Bonds currently provide the only real source of cash for
CIRM.)  In either case, the agency needs strong, positive
results from its grantees to support a bid for continued funding.
Today's action came after nine out of
the 15  applicants who were rejected by reviewers appealed the
 negative decisions. Two of the appeals were successful at today's meeting. It is a
good bet that at least some of those referred for more review
will be ratified by the board in September. 
The appeals were based on a variety of
issues, ranging from technical science questions to inconsistencies
in CIRM's research approaches and mistakes by reviewers.
The outpouring
of appeals was the largest in CIRM history in terms of the
percentage of applicants seeking to overturn reviewer decisions.
The round also marked
another first in terms of the total initially approved by
reviewers. On occasion in the past, reviewers have not approved
enough awards to consume all the funds budgeted by the CIRM board.
But never before has the amount fallen so far short.
Most of the awards went to enterprises
connected to persons on 29-member CIRM governing board, continuing a
trend that has existed throughout CIRM's history. Board members with
conflicts, however, are not allowed to vote or participate in the
The full list of the winners and the
CIRM press release can be found here.

(Editor's note: This item was updated from an earlier version and the figures increased as the CIRM board added another grant and took additional action.)

Source:
http://californiastemcellreport.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss

International Stem Cell Corporation Announces the Commercial Launch of Its Breakthrough Stem Cell-Based Line of Skin Care Products

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International Stem Cell Corporation (OTCBB:ISCO), http://www.internationalstemcell.com, announced today the commercial launch of its innovative line of topical skin care products by the company's wholly-owned subsidiary, Lifeline Skin Care ™ (http://www.lifelineskincare.com). Containing extracts from human "parthenogenetic" stem cells (hpSC), the products were formulated by a team of ISCO's research scientists in collaboration with cosmetic formulation experts to create an advanced scientific approach to skin care. The patent pending serums, which come in separate formulations for day and night time use, have been safety tested by highly regarded, independent laboratories, and have been shown to promote anti-aging of the skin.

The initial launch of the serums is to a pre-existing list of interested parties. We expect that the products will be available to the general public via our online store http://www.lifelineskincare.com in the near future.

A key innovation in creating the Lifeline Skin Care™ serums was the encapsulation of the parthenogenetic stem cell extractsinto nanospheres, which not only protect the proteins, but substantially enhance the effectiveness of the serums. World renowned skin cream formulation experts assisted ISCO's scientists to create the finished products and ensure that the final serums deliver the most up-to-date advances in skin rejuvenation technology that also helps to prevent and repair damage caused by the environment.

According to Gregory S. Keller, MD, FACS (2007 Specialist of the Year in Facial Cosmetic Surgery in Strathmore's "Who's Who"): "These new day and night serums represent a huge step forward in anti-aging skin care products. Combining liposome-encapsulated proteins derived from ISCO's powerful new class human stem cells with a unique blend of anti-oxidants, vitamins and natural extracts, allowed Lifeline Skin Care to create highly effective stem cell-based serums that provide strong anti-aging benefits."

The new skin rejuvenation serums are based on the breakthrough discovery that certain proteins derived from ISCO's proprietary pluripotent human parthenogenetic stem cells are beneficial to the culture of human skin cells in the laboratory. ISCO, the world leader in human parthenogenetic stem cell technology, is studying this new class of stem cells, and has demonstrated their therapeutic potential in many fields of regenerative medicine. Human parthenogenetic stem cells are created from unfertilized human eggs and do not involve any harm to a viable human embryo, thus avoiding serious ethical questions that surround other areas of stem cell research. hpSC possess unique immune-matching attributes making them an excellent platform for the development of cellular therapies for large populations of individuals. As of today, ISCO has successfully derived ten hpSC lines. One of these lines carries the most common immune type found within the US population and can be immune-matched to an estimated 75 million people worldwide.

"The commercial launch of the new skin care products represents an important step in the execution of ISCO's strategy. The revenue generated from sales will help support the development of our therapeutic programs utilizing our unique and powerful class of human pluripotent stem cells," said Dr. Ruslan Semechkin, CEO of Lifeline Skin Care.

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, http://www.internationalstemcell.com.

To subscribe to receive ongoing corporate communications please click on the following link: http://www.b2i.us/irpass.asp?BzID=1468&to=ea&s=0.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements pertaining to anticipated developments, product introduction plans, the potential benefits of planned products, 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, 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 uncer
tainties 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, parthenogenesis, biotechnology, skin care, anti-aging

http://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=bwnews&sty=20101116005754r1&sid=14230&distro=ftp

International Stem Cell Corporation
Kenneth C. Aldrich, Chairman
1-760-940-6383
kaldrich@intlstemcell.com
or
Lifeline Skin Care, Inc.
Ruslan Semechkin, PhD, President & CEO
Vice President, ISCO
ras@intlstemcell.com


  1. Stem Cells