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

International Stem Cell Corporation Parthenogenetic Stem Cell Line Shown to Carry the Most Common Immune Genes Matched to the U.S. Population...

International Stem Cell Corporation Parthenogenetic Stem Cell Line Shown to Carry the Most Common Immune Genes Matched to the U.S. Population Retains Stem Cell Characteristics over Two Years in Culture, Which is Necessary for Therapeutic Value

OCEANSIDE, Calif. – March 2, 2010 – International Stem Cell Corporation (OTCBB: ISCO), www.internationalstemcell.com, announced today that human parthenogenetic stem cell lines (“hpSC”), created by scientists from its Research and Therapeutic Development Group, have demonstrated ability to maintain the essential properties of immortal stem cells throughout extended laboratory cultivation.

To date, ISCO has created 10 human parthenogenetic stem cell lines. One of these lines, named phSC-Hhom-4, has the most common set of HLA genes found in various U.S. population groups and may be useful to treat millions of people world-wide from a single cell line.

After more than one hundred passages over more than two years of continuous in vitro cultivation, the line phSC-Hhom-4 has maintained pluripotent stem cell properties and continues to be used in experiments to create therapeutic derivatives targeted for treatment of liver, cornea, retina and neurodegenerative diseases.

Dr. Andrey Semechkin, ISCO’s СЕО, says: “The ability of a stem cell line to maintain stable properties during long-term cultivation is one of the necessary properties that stem cells must have in order to be used in cell-based therapies. This property allows an almost unlimited increase in the amount of cells available for production of therapeutic derivatives”.

The differentiated derivatives of human parthenogenetic stem cells, obtained by ISCO scientists, promise to overcome the problem of immune-matching in tissue-replacement therapy. This is a significant differentiator from embryonic stem cells and a major reason why hpSC have the potential to become the first population-specific pluripotent stem cells available for use in the treatment of human diseases for different genders and racial groups across the world.

This achievement is another step toward the creation by ISCO of its proprietary “UniStem Cell Bank”™, confirming the importance of human parthenogenetic stem cells in possible therapeutic application and their ability to meet clinical transplant standards.

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," "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 Issues Letter to Shareholders

Letter Describes Changing Political Climate, Competitive Advantages of Parthenogenesis, Creation of Human Corneal Tissue, New Partnerships, Clinical Trials, and Other Developments

International Stem Cell Corporation (OTCBB: ISCO) (www.internationalstemcell.com), the first company to perfect a method of creating human stem cells from unfertilized eggs, has issued a letter to its shareholders. To view the shareholder letter in its entirety, please follow the link to the company's website:http://www.internationalstemcell.com/shareholderletter.htm.

The Letter covers a variety of subjects, including:

• Competitive advantages of human parthenogenetic stem cells over other kinds of stem cells
• Completion of December 2008 financing; receipt of first $2 million of anticipated private equity of up to $5 million
• First company to grow human corneal tissue in a Petri dish, suitable for toxicity testing and possibly suitable for corneal implants
• Commencement of pre-clinical animal trials using parthenogenetic stem cells to treat retinal disease
• Partnership with Absorption Systems to commercialize human stem cell-derived corneal tissue for drug testing
• Description of collaborative partnership goals toward the creation of an unlimited supply of cells that is not reliant on donor tissue and that does not risk rejection by patient immune systems

"The recent developments detailed in our shareholder letter illustrate that the company remains on track to achieve its goals," commented Kenneth C. Aldrich, Chairman and CEO. "We are excited for our shareholders to read this update, thank them for their continued enthusiasm and support, and look forward to providing updates in what we think will be an exciting 2009."

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.

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 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.

International Stem Cell Corporation
Kenneth C. Aldrich, Chairman, CEO
kaldrich@intlstemcell.com
760-940-6383
or
William Adams, Chief Financial Officer
wadams@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

International Stem Cell Begins Pre-Clinical Testing Of Its Parthenogenetic Stem Cells For Treatment Of Retinal Disease

OCEANSIDE, Calif., Jan 13, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- International Stem Cell Corporation (OTCBB: ISCO) has created layered human tissue from its unique parthenogenetic stem cells and transplanted this tissue into animals in pre-clinical trials to establish a potential new treatment for human retinal diseases, such as macular degeneration or retinitis pigmentosa.

"Intact layers of retinal progenitor cells have been shown to restore lost visual responses in several retinal degeneration rodent models," said Dr. Hans Keirstead, Co-Director of the Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center at the University of California, Irvine. "Thus, we are developing intact retinal layers derived from International Stem Cell's human parthenogenetic stem cells which could become a sustainable, FDA-approved therapeutic supply for patients with retinal degenerative diseases."

ISCO's human parthenogenetic stem cells have the potential to treat human disease yet possess key medical and ethical advantages over other kinds of stem cell products. They can be matched to common immune types and thus reduce the chance of transplant rejection among large segments of the population. Because they are created from unfertilized human eggs, they do not require the destruction of human embryos.

"We are aggressively pushing forward safe treatments for human diseases using parthenogenetic stem cells," said Jeffrey Janus, President of International Stem Cell. "If we are successful in this work, our next step is to manufacture this layered human tissue for further tests, including human trials. This illustrates the strengths of combining scientific collaborations with outside researchers such as Dr. Keirstead with ISCO's science and cell manufacturing expertise."

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.

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.

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

SOURCE: International Stem Cell Corporation

International Stem Cell Corporation

Kenneth C. Aldrich, Chairman, CEO

kaldrich@intlstemcell.com

760-940-6383

or

William Adams, Chief Financial Officer

wadams@intlstemcell.com

760-940-6383

or

The Investor Relations Group

212-825-3210

Investor Relations:

Adam S. Holdsworth

or

Media Relations:

Laura Colontrelle

lcolontrelle@investorrelationsgroup.com

International Stem Cell's Presentation at the 20th Annual Roth Capital Partners OC Growth Stock Conference

Please visit Wall Street Webcasting to view the original presentation;
http://www.wsw.com/webcast/roth16/isco/index.html