International Stem Cell and Absorption Systems Confirm Results Showing Stem Cell Derived Corneal Tissue as an Alternative to Animals for Drug Testing

Other Tests Show Tissue's Ability to Focus Light, Pointing to Potential Therapeutic Applications

OCEANSIDE, Calif. – May 10, 2010 – International Stem Cell Corporation (OTCBB: ISCO), http://www.internationalstemcell.com/, the first company to perfect a method of creating human "parthenogenetic" stem cells from unfertilized eggs, announces the results of a second set of experiments confirming that its lab-grown corneal tissue closely mimics the drug absorption and drug metabolism characteristics found in normal corneal tissue. Other tests show that the stem cell derived corneal tissue refracts light, thus providing a further indication of its potential therapeutic value in treating corneal injury and disease.

Two sets of collaborative experiments between ISCO and Absorption Systems have now shown that corneal tissue cultured by ISCO exhibits topical drug absorption barrier properties and tissue-appropriate enzymatic activity, making it a promising model for studying human ocular drug absorption as an alternative to live animal testing. ISCO's human corneal tissue is created in the laboratories of its wholly owned subsidiary, Lifeline Cell Technology (Walkersville, MD).

In a second set of tests conducted by a third party expert, a beam of diverging light was projected through the corneal tissue from different distances, becoming more or less refracted with the changing distance, showing that the corneal tissue was clear and had optical properties that allow the focusing of light. Additional experiments will be conducted to better define these optical characteristics.

According to Jeffrey Janus, Senior VP of ISCO and CEO of Lifeline, "We are very excited to confirm our initial results showing drug absorption that correlates with animal models and add to these results the observation of enzymatic activity. This not only advances our plans to manufacture a product that can be used to reduce the need for tests that use living animals, but it also is one more step toward the potential therapeutic use of this tissue as a treatment for human corneal injury or disease. This has implications, not only in the US, but also in India and Asia, where millions of people suffer from corneal blindness that now goes untreated. The experiments showing light refraction are a tempting indication that this tissue will have therapeutic application."

"There is a large commercial need for a predictive and reproducible non-animal method for testing the safety of ophthalmic drugs and consumer products," said Patrick M. Dentinger, President and CEO of Absorption Systems. "The combined knowledge and expertise of ISCO and Absorption Systems have allowed us to take a step forward toward addressing an unmet need in the field of ophthalmology by creating a unique in vitro model to study human ocular drug absorption without using animals. Our collaboration with ISCO underscores our commitment to helping bring safe drugs to market."

The collaboration between Absorption Systems and ISCO uses Absorption Systems' know-how in creating and characterizing assay systems to develop superior preclinical methods of testing drugs. Such methods can also reduce the use of laboratory animals currently necessary for other tests, including safety testing of consumer products.

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™, 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/.

ABOUT ABSORPTION SYSTEMS:

Absorption Systems, founded in 1996, assists pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device companies in identifying and overcoming ADMET (Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion and Toxicity) barriers in the development of drugs, biologics and medical devices. The company's mission is to continually develop innovative research tools that can be used to accurately predict human outcomes or to explain unanticipated human outcomes when they occur. The CellPort Technologies® platform, a suite of human cell-based tests systems for drug transporter characterization, exemplifies Absorption Systems' commitment to innovation. Absorption Systems has facilities near Philadelphia, PA, and in San Diego, CA, and serves customers throughout the world. For information on the company's comprehensive contract services and applied research programs, please visit http://www.absorption.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 update these forward-looking statements.

Key Words: Stem Cells, Biotechnology, Parthenogenesis

CONTACTS:
International Stem Cell Corporation
Kenneth C. Aldrich, Chairman
760-940-6383
kaldrich@intlstemcell.com
Or
Brian Lundstrom, President
760-640-6383
bl@intlstemcell.com

International Stem Cell Corporation Signs Financing Agreement

OCEANSIDE, CA –May 5, 2010 – International Stem Cell Corporation (ISCO.OB), www.intlstemcell.com, today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement dated May 4, 2010 (‘the Agreement”) with Socius CG II, Ltd. (“Socius”), pursuant to which Socius has committed to purchase a single tranche of up to $10 million in non-convertible Series F Preferred Stock (the "Preferred Stock") from ISCO. The Company issued a warrant to purchase $13,500,000 worth of the Company’s Common Stock, the exercise price of the warrant being determined by the closing bid price for the Company’s Common Stock on the trading day immediately preceding the date the Company initiates the sale of the Series F Preferred.

The Company anticipates that the Closing of the Preferred Stock sale will take place 20 business days after the issuance of the Warrants. Proceeds from these sales will be used to provide general working capital and to fund additional development of the Company's proprietary Parthenogenetic Stem Cell Lines, development of commercial research products, and other research and development programs and related business activities.

Additional details on the transaction are contained in the Company's Form 8-K filed today with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A prospectus relating to this offering is available from:
Investor Relations
International Stem Cell Corporation
2595 Jason Court
Oceanside, CA 92056

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). 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™, 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.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:
Statements pertaining to anticipated future events, including the anticipated closing of the sale of Preferred Stock, 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 satisfying the conditions to closing. 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

CONTACTS:
International Stem Cell Corporation
Kenneth C. Aldrich, Chairman
760-940-6383
kaldrich@intlstemcell.com
Or
Brian Lundstrom, President
760-940-6383
bl@intlstemcell.com
WEST\21949392.1

Biocom's “View from the Top” Interview with International Stem Cell Chairman, Kenneth Aldrich

"Kenneth Aldrich, Chairman of International Stem Cell Corporation, discusses the next generation of therapeutic stem cells."
View From The Top - http://www.viewfromthetop.tv/

Please click here to watch the video.

International Stem Cell Corporation Engages Leading Immunogeneticists to Advance its Industry-first, Immune-matched Stem Cells

International Stem Cell Corporation (OTCBB:ISCO), www.intlstemcell.com, today added two world-leading immunogeneticists to its scientific advisory board. They and ISCO scientists will study the immune-matching properties of ISCO's human parthenogenetic stem cell (hpSC) technology and the potential for each hpSC-derived therapeutic cell to be an immune-match for millions of people.

Dr. Hans-Dieter Volk, Professor of Immunology and Chair of the Institute of Medical Immunology and Berlin-Brandenburg Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT) at Charité Universitätsmedizin in Berlin, and Dr. Matthias von Herrath, Professor at the La Jolla Institute of Allergy and Immunology at University of San Diego, have agreed to join ISCO's scientific advisory board. Both have dedicated their careers to experimental and clinical immunology and are highly regarded immunogenetics experts internationally. They will be most valuable as ISCO attempts to demonstrate the unique immune-matching benefits of the hpSC technology experimentally and in clinical practice.

"We believe that providing human cells that can minimize rejection though immune-matching to the recipient is one of the most important tasks in developing effective regenerative medicine therapies," says Dr. Simon Craw, Vice President at ISCO. "We look forward to Drs. Volk and von Herrath helping us try to demonstrate how that need can be met with our parthenogenetic stem cells."

Embryonic stem cells (hESC) almost invariably have different forms of genes (called "alleles") at each genetic position of the paternal and maternal chromosomes, i.e. they are "heterozygous." This includes the human leukocyte antigen ("HLA") genes that are largely responsible for the distinction between "self" and "foreign," and thus acceptance or rejection of transplants. Since hESC are derived from fertilized embryos, they carry the genes of a unique individual, thus the therapeutic cells derived from hESC will carry HLA alleles that can be recognized as foreign and be rejected by most patients unless they receive immunosuppressive therapy. Such therapy is costly, has significant side effects, and often is disabling in the long term.

Like most individuals in the population, induced pluripotent stem cells ("iPS" cells) and adult stem cells are also predominantly heterozygous because they carry paternal and maternal chromosomes. They are a perfect immune match to the patient they came from and are therefore typically administered back to that same individual ("autologous therapy"). However, they would likely be rejected by most other recipients. Autologous therapy is time-consuming and expensive, which goes against the cost containment pressures globally. In addition, the quality of the therapy is directly related to the ability to secure clinically sufficient numbers of functional cells from the patient, which often poses a significant problem in clinical practice.

In contrast, the hpSCs developed by ISCO are derived from unfertilized eggs ("oocytes") that have been shown in peer-reviewed journals to exhibit unlimited proliferation potential and are pluripotent (can become cells from all three germ layers that form a human being). Most significantly, hpSC can be created in a "homozygous" state, where the alleles, including the HLA alleles, are the same at each genetic position. When these HLA alleles are also found with a high frequency in a population, these "HLA-homozygous" stem cells and their therapeutic derivatives have the potential to be immune matched to millions of people. For example, ISCO's first homozygous stem cell line with high-frequency HLA alleles has the potential to be immune matched to an estimated 75 million people worldwide.

Dr. Volk says: "Using my experience from transplantation immunology and medicine during the past three decades, I am very pleased to help ISCO in their efforts to make its hpSC technology a clinical reality where therapeutic cell derivatives will be immune matches for millions of people worldwide." Dr. von Herrath continues: "While stem cell technologies generally offer great regenerative potential, most clinical applications will be limited by immune rejection. I look much forward to joining ISCO in their quest for making stem cell-derived therapy a practical and attractive clinical option for many degenerative diseases."

Besides the immunogenetic developments, ISCO is advancing its hpSC technology into the differentiation of hpSC into therapeutic cells and tissues and into the establishment of processes and facilities to produce clinical-grade cells. The company is seeking to demonstrate the therapeutic potential of its hpSC technology as a safe, efficient, and superior alternative to other sources of stem cells for human therapy.

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™, 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, 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," "should," "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
760-940-6383
kaldrich@intlstemcell.com
or
Brian Lundstrom, President
760-640-6383
bl@intlstemcell.com

International Stem Cell Corporation Provides Strategic Update on its Skin Care Program

OCEANSIDE, California - April 8, 2010 - International Stem Cell Corporation (ISCO.OB), www.internationalstemcell.com, announces today that it’s wholly owned subsidiary, Lifeline Skin Care Inc., has achieved positive results in human safety tests of its cosmetic products and is moving forward with arrangements with Cosmetic Enterprises Ltd. for the manufacture of three cosmetic products. These developments allow Lifeline Skin Care to plan a launch of its cosmetic product line in the late summer or fall of 2010.

Cosmetic face products developed by Lifeline Skin Care Inc., contain extracts from human parthenogenetic stem cells (hpSC) combined with a vitamin complex and other active ingredients. The products utilize a form of nanotechnology to deliver concentrated active ingredients to damaged skin. Laboratory tests show that an active “complex” of stem cell extract has the ability to rejuvenate skin. Also, early human trials show that these cosmetic products moisturize skin and strongly indicate the ability to decrease the depth of wrinkles and provide factors that lead to anti-aging effects.

Lifeline Skin Care is working with Cosmetic Enterprises, Ltd., located in California, to formulate and package its unique skin care product. Cosmetic Enterprises is a well-known OTC drug licensed manufacturer with over 30 years of experience. Lifeline Skin Care’s “parthenogenetic stem cell complex” the product’s active ingredient, is made in Lifeline Skin Care’s laboratory in Oceanside, California.

According to Gregory S. Keller, MD, FACS, “These positive safety studies in human testing are important, especially considering that preliminary human trial data show that products of the production of International Stem Cell’s parthenogenetic stem cells have significant beneficial effects on the skin and might also provide long term benefits in reducing wrinkles and other visible signs of aging. These results are a significant step forward in making this unique product available to the public.” Dr. Keller was named the 2007 “Specialist of the Year in Facial Cosmetic Surgery” in Strathmore’s “Who’s Who”.

The results of recent human safety tests show there were no identifiable signs or symptoms of sensitization (contact allergy). Safety testing is a series of tests to insure the product does not cause negative reactions such as irritation to the skin. This completed round of testing allows Lifeline Skin Care to move forward confidently with its commercial manufacturing plans.
International Stem Cell Corporation is a pioneer in development of a new class of stem cells called “human parthenogenetic stem cells” which avoid critical ethical issues by eliminating the need to use fertilized embryos and can be immune-matched to large segments of the population. As of today, ISCO has successfully derived 10 hpSC lines. One of these lines (hpSC-Hhom-4), carries the most common immune type found across racial groups within the US population and can be immune-matched to millions of people.

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™, 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, 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," "should," "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: Skin Care, Stem Cells, Biotechnology, Parthenogenesis

CONTACTS:
International Stem Cell Corporation
Kenneth C. Aldrich, Chairman
760-940-6383
kaldrich@intlstemcell.com
Or
Lifeline Skin Care Inc.
Ruslan Semechkin, PhD, CEO
760-940-6383
ras@intlstemcell.com

International Stem Cell (ISCO) Announces the Signing of a Distribution Agreement with Veritas Corporation, Opening Japanese Markets...

International Stem Cell (ISCO) Announces the Signing of a Distribution Agreement with Veritas Corporation, Opening Japanese Markets for Its Lifeline Cell Technology® Brand of Human Cell Culture Products

International Stem Cell Corporation (OTCBB: ISCO), www.internationalstemcell.com , announced today its wholly-owned subsidiary, Lifeline Cell Technology (Lifeline), www.lifelinecelltech.com , has signed a distribution agreement with Tokyo-based Veritas Corporation to distribute its human cell culture products throughout Japan.

Lifeline, located in Maryland and California, specializes in the development, manufacture, and distribution of products to culture human cells for the study of human disease, including products to culture primary human cells and human stem cells. These products are being requested by customers overseas, including customers in Japan, Korea and India and this agreement is the first step in Lifeline's plan to meet these requests.

According to Lifeline's CEO, Jeffrey Janus, "Veritas Corporation is a highly respected name in the Japanese life science community, providing Lifeline with a long standing and well established distribution channel to Japanese researchers." He continued, "We are pleased to have such an experienced and capable partner in Japan who should help continue the rapid expansion of our Lifeline brand of human cells and cell culture tools."

Lifeline's scientists have over 20 years of experience developing products for the culture of human cells, and have made significant contributions to the creation and standardization of human cell systems used today for clinical applications and in academic, government and pharmaceutical research laboratories. Lifeline scientists recently discovered methods to create human corneal tissues from ISCO's proprietary human "parthenogenetic" stem cells, and are actively working to create products that may have significant use as research tools for drug testing or for treating corneal injury and disease.

"This agreement is important in advancing ISCO's goal of becoming the primary provider of high quality human stem cell culture tools to the research and therapeutic markets," said Dr. Andrey Semechkin, ISCO's CEO.

International Stem Cell Corporation has developed, for the first time under controlled conditions, human "parthenogenetic" stem cell lines (hpSC) that promise to minimize the rejection of transplanted cells by a patient's immune system. ISCO's technology, called "parthenogenesis," results in the creation of pluripotent hpSC from unfertilized human eggs. This new methodology offers the potential to create the first true "Stem Cell Bank" and also addresses critical ethical issues by eliminating the need to use fertilized embryos. Lifeline Cell Technology not only provides ISCO with revenue, but also with the manufacturing experience and infrastructure needed to move ISCO's hpSC products into "cGMP" manufacturing conditions that are required by Federal regulators for manufacturing cells for future therapeutic use.

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™, 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, 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," "should," "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
760-940-6383
kaldrich@intlstemcell.com
or
Brian Lundstrom, President
760-640-6383
bl@intlstemcell.com

International Stem Cell Corporation Begins Its Second Pre-Clinical Phase of Testing Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE) Derived from Human...

International Stem Cell Corporation Begins Its Second Pre-Clinical Phase of Testing Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE) Derived from Human Parthenogenetic Stem Cells for Treatment of Retinal Diseases

International Stem Cell Corporation (OTCBB: ISCO), www.internationalstemcell.com, announced today that ISCO's Research and Therapeutic Development Group, together with a group of scientists from the University of California, Irvine (UCI), is starting a second phase of essential pre-clinical experiments to test retinal pigment epithelium derived from parthenogenetic stem cells. Follow on pre-clinical experiments will be conducted to rescue vision in disease models.

Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) has been derived from parthenogenetic stem cells by ISCO scientists in close collaboration with UCI scientists. The RPE cells will be tested for the presence of specific markers and for functional activity.

Retinal pigment epithelium plays a critical role in maintaining proper eye function. Loss of function or dysfunction of RPE is involved in a range of disabling eye conditions, particularly age-related macular degeneration (AMD) that is the major cause of vision loss in seniors.

Encouraging data from animal models have shown that visual degradation caused by AMD can be slowed through the transplantation of RPE. One of the major barriers for this therapy is the lack of sufficient RPE cells from suitable donated tissue.

According to Dr. Hans Keirstead, Professor of Anatomy and Neurobiology at the University of California, Irvine, "The derivation of RPE from stem cells will allow the availability of an unlimited source of RPE for transplantation." Referring to the upcoming work with ISCO, Dr. Keirstead said, "This research will enable us to then test the ability of these cells to restore vision in rodent models of retinal degeneration."

Dr. Nikolay Turovets, ISCO's Director of Research and Therapeutic Development, says, "RPE derived from human parthenogenetic stem cells can overcome the problem of immune-matching for transplantation since ISCO's parthenogenetic stem cell lines can be made to carry the most common sets of immune genes found among various racial groups. That is why the differentiated derivatives from one hpSC line may be transplanted into millions of people."

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 parthenogenetic, homozygous stem cell line that can be a source of immune-matched therapeutic cells to minimize 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™, 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, 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 update 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