International Stem Cell Corporation Announces Collaboration with Scripps Research Institute's Center for Regenerative Medicine to Study Parthenogenetic Stem Cells
International Stem Cell Corporation (OTCBB: ISCO), www.internationalstemcell.com announced today that it is collaborating with renowned stem cell researcher Jeanne F. Loring, Ph.D., and the Scripps Research Institute (La Jolla, CA) to study parthenogenetic stem cells and potentially therapeutic cells that can be derived from them.
ISCO has perfected a process for creating human stem cells from unfertilized human eggs. These "parthenogenetic" stem cells have the medical advantage of allowing immune-matching to large segments of the population and the ethical advantage of not requiring the use of human embryos. This study is a further expansion of ISCO's mission to generate data necessary to understand these cells and move them closer to the clinic.
According to Dr. Loring, "Parthenogenetic cell lines are uniquely valuable for our quest to understand the genetic and epigenetic processes that control stem cells. We are excited about the opportunity to collaborate with scientists at ISCO."
ISCO scientists have derived a type of cell found in the human eye from parthenogenetic stem cells that may have application in the treatment of a common eye disease called macular degeneration. Dr. Loring and ISCO will study these cells as part of the collaboration.
"Collaborations with leading researchers such as Dr. Loring and leading research institutions such as Scripps Research Institute will bring us closer to ISCO's goal of being able to provide immune-matched stem cells for human transplant and build a true stem cell bank that could offer on-demand delivery of stem cells matched to a patient's own immune system," said Kenneth Aldrich, Chairman of International Stem Cell Corporation. "Our intent is to begin to provide these parthenogenetic stem cell lines to advance the field of regenerative medicine, as well as to commercialize our cells for cell transplant therapies."
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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Key Words: Stem Cells, Biotechnology, Parthenogenesis
International Stem Cell Corporation
Kenneth C. Aldrich, Chairman
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kaldrich@intlstemcell.com
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