International Stem Cell Corporation (OTCBB: ISCO) announced today that it has entered into an exclusive agreement with CellSystems Biotechnologie to distribute laboratory-cultured models of human skin useful for testing the hazardous properties of consumer products and for dermatological and pharmaceutical research. Such testing is likely to be soon required for certain types of consumer products sold into the European Union.
According to International Stem Cell’s (ISCO) President Jeffrey Janus, “This agreement is another positive step in ISCO’s strategic plan to become the primary source of high quality human cells for the therapeutic and research markets by leveraging its manufacturing and distribution resources.”
ISCO is the first company to develop a unique type of human stem cell line that promises to eliminate the immune rejection problems that plague cell-transplantation therapies and opens the potential to create the first true “Stem Cell Bank.” ISCO’s technology, called parthenogenesis, results in the creation of pluripotent human stem cell lines from unfertilized human eggs – a fact that alleviates many ethical issues.
ISCO’s human cell and cell culture research products are manufactured and distributed under the “Lifeline” brand by wholly-owned subsidiary Lifeline Cell Technology, LLC, based in Walkersville, Maryland (www.lifelinecelltech.com).
The laboratory-cultured models of human skin, called EST-1000 and AST-2000 were developed by CellSystems and contain cells manufactured by Lifeline. These three-dimensional skin cell models are used as alternative methods to animal testing in the field of Skin Corrosion, Skin Irritation, Skin Sensitization, Genotoxicity and Phototoxicity.
“We have worked with the Lifeline staff and know their abilities to provide excellent customer service and their ability to consistently produce high quality products; a critical factor for researchers that depend on human cells for the success of their research,” said Horst W. Fuchs, President of CellSystems Biotechnologie. “This agreement between our companies opens a distribution channel for CellSystems’ skin model products to scientific researchers throughout the United States and Canada.”
“While the sale of these Lifeline stem cell and research products provides ISCO immediate cash flow, it also helps embed ISCO’s products into successful therapeutic and quality control procedures worldwide, providing a revenue stream of shared royalties beyond traditional sales,” added Janus.
ABOUT CELLSYSTEMS:
CellSystems Biotechnologie Vertrieb GmbH, founded in Germany in 1992 as a sales and marketing organization, is one of the main providers of selected high quality and innovative cell culture products to the life sciences community. For more than fifteen years, CellSystems has provided the Life Science community with the most sophisticated cell biology products available. Their core competency in Human Primary Cells and adult Stem Cells has resulted in the development of three dimensional skin cell models which are used as alternative methods to animal testing in the field of Skin Corrosion, Skin Irritation, Skin Sensitization, Genotoxicity and Phototoxicity. CellSystems also provides cell models for Angionenesis, Blood-Brain-Barrier and Inhalation Toxicology. Visit the CellSystem’s web site at: www.cellsystems.biz.
ABOUT INTERNATIONAL STEM CELL CORPORATION (ISCO.OB):
International Stem Cell Corporation is a California biotechnology company focused on developing therapeutic and research products. ISCO’s technology, Parthenogenesis, results in the creation of pluripotent human stem cell lines from unfertilized human eggs. ISCO scientists have created the first Parthenogenetic homozygous stem cell line (phSC-Hhom-4) that can be a source of therapeutic cells that will not be immune rejected after transplantation into millions of individuals of differing sexes, ages and racial groups. These advancements offer the potential to create the first true “Stem Cell Bank” and address ethical issues by eliminating the need to use or destroy fertilized embryos. ISCO also produces and markets specialized cells and growth media worldwide for therapeutic research through its subsidiary Lifeline Cell Technology. For more information, visit the ISCO website at: 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 future financial and/or operating results, future growth in research, technology, clinical development and potential 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, 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.
