Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
International Stem Cell Corporation Partners with Absorption Systems to Commercialize Human Stem Cell-Derived Corneal Tissue for Drug Testing
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 formed a partnership with Absorption Systems to utilize ISCO's parthenogenetic stem cell-derived human corneal tissue to measure drug disposition, drug safety and drug-drug interactions. The collaboration between the companies is focused on using Absorption Systems' know how in creating in vitro assay systems to develop a superior method of testing drugs that will also reduce the use of laboratory animals currently necessary for such tests.
In the past, researchers have grown corneal cells in the laboratory, but ISCO is believed to be the only company to grow a self-assembling corneal construct suitable for toxicity testing in the laboratory and possibly suitable for corneal transplants. ISCO's corneal constructs include cell layers and structures normally found in a human cornea, as confirmed by an independent third-party laboratory. ISCO's proprietary lines of parthenogenetic stem cells remove the need for fertilized embryos and in a therapeutic setting, minimize the threat of immune rejection. This breakthrough was published in the peer-reviewed journal Cloning & Stem Cells (Volume 9, Number 3; September 2007:432-449 and, Volume 10, Number 1; March 2008:11-24).
"The combination of ISCO's skill in culturing human parthenogenetic stem cells and Absorption Systems' proficiency in performing tissue-based assays may provide a powerful and unique drug testing model for the pharmaceutical industry and the field of ophthalmology," commented Jeffrey Janus, president of ISCO. "In addition, this work complements ISCO's effort to use its parthenogenetic stem cells to create cell transplant therapies for diseases of the eye. We plan to further develop our corneal tissue technology with a goal of routinely growing living human corneas for ultimate use in human corneal transplants."
"ISCO's corneal construct, combined with Absorption Systems' expertise in assessing drug disposition, may provide pharmaceutical and ophthalmology researchers with new insight, without the need for animal models," said Patrick M. Dentinger, president and CEO of Absorption Systems. "Absorption Systems' services yield the type of definitive data expected by the FDA, so we believe that our combined products will be of great interest to researchers studying diseases of the eye."
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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ABOUT ABSORPTION SYSTEMS:
Founded in 1996 by Patrick Dentinger and Ismael J. Hidalgo, Ph.D., Absorption Systems, LP focuses on performing assays that can predict the Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion (ADME) of small molecules using a variety of in vitro, in situ, and in vivo biological models. Absorption Systems supports these assays with state-of–the-art bioanalytical capabilities and preclinical formulation services. For more information, visit: www.absorption.com
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.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
International Stem Cell Corporation Announces a Manufacturing and Supply Agreement with Millipore Corporation
International Stem Cell (OTCBB:ISCO) announced today it has entered into a worldwide distribution agreement with Millipore Corporation (NYSE: MIL) to manufacture living cells and cell culture products to be sold through Millipore’s distribution network.
“To work with a company such as Millipore that has sales of over $1.5 billion and is known throughout the world is a wonderful opportunity for ISCO. This partnership will lead to a significant expansion in ISCO’s revenue generation through the manufacture of high quality cells and cell culture products. Millipore is a leader in the life science industry, with a strong sales force and distribution network serving biotechnology firms, pharmaceutical companies and laboratories around the world. The ISCO-Millipore team will provide valuable research tools for cell biologists across the world,” according to Jeffrey Janus, ISCO’s president.
International Stem Cell, an emerging stem-cell therapy company, is the first company to perfect a method of creating human stem cells from unfertilized eggs. These cells, called “parthenogenetic” stem cells promise to alleviate two critical problems inherent in cell transplantation today, immune rejection and the ethical issues associated with the use of fertilized human embryos. ISCO, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Lifeline Cell Technology (Walkersville, MD) develops and manufactures cell culture products for research use. Such manufacturing generates revenue and therapeutic production capacity for ISCO.
“We are very excited about driving our partnership forward with ISCO,” said Don O’Neil, Millipore’s Director of Marketing for Stem Cells. “With this relationship, Millipore gains access to a world class team of scientists responsible for developing many of the 'first-in-class' specialty media products on the market. The ISCO offering perfectly compliments our strategy to become the industry leading specialty and stem cell culture complete solutions provider.”
ABOUT MILLIPORE
Millipore is a life science leader providing cutting-edge technologies, tools, and services for bioscience research and biopharmaceutical manufacturing. As a strategic partner, we collaborate with customers to confront the world's challenging human health issues. From research to development to production, our scientific expertise and innovative solutions help customers tackle their most complex problems and achieve their goals. Millipore Corporation is an S&P 500 company with more than 6,000 employees in 47 countries worldwide. Www.millipore.com
ABOUT INTERNATIONAL STEM CELL CORPORATION:
International Stem Cell is a biotechnology company currently focused on developing therapeutic and research products. In the area of therapeutic product development, ISCO's objective is to create an unlimited source of human cells for use in the treatment of several diseases, including diabetes, liver disease and retinal and corneal disease through cell transplant therapy. In furtherance of this objective, ISCO has developed pluripotent human stem cells from unfertilized human eggs, and techniques to cause those stem cells to be "differentiated" into the specific cell types required for transplant. It has developed manufacturing protocols to produce the cells minimizing contamination with animal by-products, a characteristic likely to be important in meeting U.S. Food and Drug Administration requirements. ISCO also provides the specialized cells and growth media needed for therapeutic cell transplantation research to academic and commercial researchers in related fields. For more information, visit the ISCO website at: www.internationalstemcell.com.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
International Stem Cell Corporation Arranges $ 3 Million Equity Financing
OCEANSIDE, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–International Stem Cell Corporation (OTCBB: ISCO - News) has entered into a subscription agreement with an accredited investor to sell three million dollars ($3,000,000) of Series C Preferred Stock at a price of $1.00 per share. The funding is to occur in three tranches. The first, for $700,000, closed August 20, 2008. The second closing for $1,300,000 is scheduled for September 23, 2008 and the final closing of $1,000,000 is scheduled for December 15, 2008, subject to determination by the investor that no material adverse event has occurred. The investor will be entitled to one of the Company’s seven board seats. Each $1.00 share of Series C Preferred will be convertible into shares of common stock at $0.25 per share, subject to antidilution provisions if the company subsequently issues shares at a lower price. The Series C Preferred has priority over the Common Stock on any sale or liquidation of the Company and a preference before any dividend can be paid on Common Stock in any year. Each share of Series C Preferred has the same voting rights as the number of shares of Common Stock into which it is convertible.
The funds will support work towards pre-clinical trials using parthenogenetic stem cells for retinal and liver disease and diabetes; advance the construction of therapeutic cell manufacturing facilities and support ongoing operations.
“These funds will go a long way toward insuring that ISCO continues to move forward without interruption in its quest to provide the cells needed to make regenerative medicine therapies available to millions of people throughout the world,” said ISCO’s CEO, Kenneth Aldrich.
The securities were offered and sold to the investor in a private placement transaction made in reliance upon exemptions from registration pursuant to Section 4(2) under the Securities Act of 1933 and Rule 506 promulgated thereunder. The Investor is an accredited investor as defined in Rule 501 of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933.
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About International Stem Cell Corporation (ISCO.OB):
International Stem Cell Corporation (ISCO) 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 also 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.
Key Words: Stem Cells, Biotechnology, Parthenogenesis, Liver disease
Contact:
International Stem Cell Corporation
Kenneth C. Aldrich, CEO, 760-940-6383
kaldrich@intlstemcell.com
or
Jeffrey Janus, President, 760-940-6383
jjanus@intlstemcell.com
or
William Adams, Chief Financial Officer, 760-940-6383
wadams@intlstemcell.com
Thursday, July 31, 2008
San Diego Business Journal - "Collaborations: Academia, For-Profits Team Up to Advance Stem Cell Research"
Jeffrey Janus, president of International Stem Cell Corp., and Nikolay Turovets, director of research and therapeutic development, are pursuing new approaches to stem cell research.
Click here to read the full article by Heather Chambers
Thursday, July 17, 2008
International Stem Cell Corporation and Novocell, Inc. Collaborate to Test Human Parthenogenetic Stem Cells for Production of Pancreatic Islet Cells
Oceanside, Calif. — [July 17, 2008]— International Stem Cell Corporation (OTCBB: ISCO) announced today a collaboration with Novocell Inc. (La Jolla, CA) to use ISCO’s human parthenogenetic stem cell lines for differentiation to Human pancreatic islet cells. The studies will be directed by Nikolay Turovets, PhD, Director, Research and Therapeutic Development at ISCO in collaboration with Novocell scientists.
ISCO’s unique stem cells offer a solution for two of the most difficult problems facing stem cell therapy. They are the first step in preventing the rejection of implanted cells by the patient’s own immune system and they provide an alternative to embryonic stem cells that does not involve destroying human embryos.
Jeffrey Janus, ISCO’s President, said, “Studies show that ISCO’s cells (called human parthenogenetic stem cells) share with conventional human embryonic stem cells the ability to differentiate into all tissue types, however they have the singular significant advantage of being immune matched at the MHC locus to hundreds of millions of people. As with immune-matched whole organs, differentiated cells obtained using these lines may provide improved transplant acceptance to large segments of the population as opposed to a few individuals. In addition, ISCO’s stem cells are created from unfertilized human eggs and do not involve the destruction of fertilized embryos.”
Novocell has developed technology to direct embryonic stem cells to become pancreatic islet cells that have been shown to be effective in treating diabetes in animals. The combined technologies of the two companies may therefore result in therapeutic cells with improved immune properties for eventual treatment of larger segments of the diabetic population.
A description of ISCO’s human parthenogenetic stem cells and their potential to improve transplantation was reported in ISCO’s peer review paper published December 19, 2007 in the online edition of Cloning and Stem Cells Journal: http://www.liebertonline.com/doi/pdfplus/10.1089/clo.2007.0063.
“Our business model,” added Mr.
About Novocell:
Novocell, Inc. is a stem cell engineering company, with research operations in
ABOUT INTERNATIONAL STEM CELL CORPORATION (ISCO.OB):
International Stem Cell Corporation is a
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.
Key Words: Stem Cells, Biotechnology, Parthenogenesis, Diabetes
Contacts:
International Stem Cell Corporation
Jeffrey Janus, President
760-940-6383
Or
William Adams, Chief Financial Officer
760-940-6383
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
International Stem Cell Corporation Announces Collaboration with Michigan State University to Study Parthenogenetic Stem Cells
Oceanside, California, July 8, 2008 -- International Stem Cell Corporation (OTCBB: ISCO), announced today a new collaboration with leading stem cell researcher Jose Cibelli at Michigan State University as part of ISCO’s ongoing strategy to work with scientific leaders across the world to expand the scientific data relating to parthenogenetic stem cells.
Professor Cibelli will study gene expression in several human parthenogenetic stem cell lines and compare the results with fertilized embryonic stem cells. According to Professor Cibelli, “We have observed in mouse and monkey that imprinting in parthenogenetic cells changes as the cells are cultured. This in vitro phenomenon can be advantageous for parthenogenetic cells.”
ISCO is the first company in the world to perfect a process for creating human stem cells from unfertilized eggs. These cells are called “parthenogenetic” stem cells and they alleviate two critical problems inherent to the use of embryonic stem cells for cell transplantation, immune rejection and ethical issues associated with the use of fertilized human embryos. Such cells can be “matched” to the immune systems of millions of persons. ISCO’s goal is to create a “cell bank” of clinical grade parthenogenetic cells available for immediate use without having to isolate cells from the patient’s own body or depend on cells isolated from other living individuals.
“Collaborations with leading researchers such as Dr. Cibelli and Michigan State University generate important knowledge about these unique cells, helping in ISCO’s goal of creating a true stem cell bank that could offer on-demand delivery of clinical grade cells matched to a patient’s own immune system”, said
ISCO’s discovery of a way to make parthenogenetic cells that match the immune system of millions of persons was first announced in December, 2007 in a peer reviewed paper authored by ISCO’s CSO, Dr.
ABOUT INTERNATIONAL STEM CELL CORPORATION (ISCO.OB):
International Stem Cell Corporation is a
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.
Contacts:
International Stem Cell Corporation
Jeffrey Janus, President
760-940-6383
or
William Adams, Chief Financial Officer
760-940-6383
