Article Details ISCO's Solutions To Ethical And Immune Rejection Issues
International Stem Cell Corporation (OTCBB: ISCO) (www.internationalstemcell.com), the first company to perfect a method of creating human "parthenogenetic" stem cells from unfertilized eggs, has been featured in the January 31, 2009, edition of The Economist, the authoritative weekly publication focusing on international politics and business news and opinion.
The article, titled "Embryonic Stem Cells: Can I Serve You Now?," details how ISCO's unique parthenogenetic approach helps resolve two of the conundrums that have long shadowed stem cell research: ethical issues and immune rejection difficulties. "ISCO has found a way of producing embryonic-like stem cells from unfertilized eggs. The egg is chemically stimulated to create a group of cells that form a non-viable (and unfertilized) 'embryo' . . . something that could not be implanted into a woman's womb and produce a child. Nonetheless, the cells it contains have the same characteristics as stem cells. Besides the ethical advantages this procedure has, it could also have medical ones. Because lines of stem cells created in this way have only one parent, they are immunologically simpler than normal embryonic cells—in other words they have a smaller variety of the proteins that trigger immune rejection."
"We are very pleased to see coverage of this kind in a publication as venerable and prestigious as The Economist," says International Stem Cell Corporation Chairman and CEO Kenneth Aldrich. "For a variety of reasons, it is clear that there is renewed interest in the stem cell research arena, and we are grateful to The Economist for allowing us to communicate our story."
The complete article can be accessed by visiting: http://www.economist.com/science/displayStory.cfm?story_id=13014104&source=hptextfeature
About The Economist
The Economist offers timely reporting, concise commentary and comprehensive analysis of global news in its weekly magazine and online at economist.com. With objective authority, clarity and wit, The Economist presents the world's political, business, scientific, technological and cultural affairs and the connections between them. Edited in London since 1843, The Economist has a worldwide print circulation of more than 1.3 million and three million monthly visitors to www.Economist.com.
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 minimize immune rejection after transplantation into hundreds of 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.
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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:
Statements pertaining to anticipated future financial and/or operating results, future growth in research, technology, clinical development and potential joint venture 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 update these forward-looking statements.
Key Words: Stem Cells, Biotechnology, Parthenogenesis
International Stem Cell Corporation
Kenneth C. Aldrich, Chairman, CEO
kaldrich@intlstemcell.com
760-940-6383
or
Jeffrey Janus, President
jjanus@intlstemcell.com
760-940-6383
or
The Investor Relations Group
212-825-3210
Investor Relations:
Adam S. Holdsworth
aholdsworth@investorrelationsgroup.com
or
Media Relations:
Laura Colontrelle
lcolontrelle@investorrelationsgroup.com
