Composition Of Matter Patent Covering Adipose-Derived Stem And Progenitor Cells Issued

Main Category: Stem Cell Research
Article Date: 03 Jan 2009 - 1:00 PST

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Cytori (NASDAQ: CYTX) announced today that U.S. patent # 7,470,537 (the '537 patent) has been issued to the University of California, which covers a population of stem cells, progenitor cells and other replicating cells, which can be obtained from human adipose tissue. The composition of matter patent is licensed to Cytori through its agreement with the University of California.

The '537 patent broadens Cytori's current patent portfolio for adipose-derived cell therapies and strengthens the Company's ability to freely develop future generation therapeutics. The cells covered by the issued claims are believed to encompass a clinically important subpopulation of cells within adipose tissue. The subpopulation of human cells described in the patent was defined by characterizing specific cell surface markers for cells, which posses the ability to self replicate and differentiate toward one or more lineages.

Specifically, the newly issued claims are directed to cells expressing certain combinations of STRO-1+, CD29+, CD44+, CD71+, CD49D+, CD90+, CD105+, SH3, CD45-, CD31- and low or undetectable levels of CD106. Such cell surface marker studies are a robust method of describing stem and other cells and were performed at the University of California. The patent application containing these claims is jointly owned by the University of California and the University of Pittsburgh.

The '537 patent is distinct from the issued, allowed, and pending patents and patent applications related to Cytori's Celution® System product platform, which is protected by a family of patents related to U.S. Patent No. 7,390,484 ("the '484 patent"). The '484 patent describes the Celution System technology, which processes adipose-derived stem and regenerative cells at a patient's bedside.

About Cytori

Cytori's (NASDAQ: CYTX) goal is to be the global leader in regenerative medicine. The company is dedicated to providing patients with new options for reconstructive surgery, developing treatments for cardiovascular disease, and banking patients' adult stem and regenerative cells. The Celution® 800 System is being introduced in Europe into the reconstructive surgery market while the Celution® 900 System is commercialize globally for cryopreserving a patient's own stem and regenerative cells. Clinical trials are ongoing in cardiovascular disease and planned for spinal disc degeneration, gastrointestinal disorders, and other unmet medical needs.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements regarding events, trends and business prospects, which may affect our future operating results and financial position. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results and financial position to differ materially. Some of these risks and uncertainties include our history of operating losses, the need for further financing, regulatory uncertainties regarding the collection and results of, clinical data, dependence on third party performance, and other risks and uncertainties described under the "Risk Factors" in Cytori's Securities and Exchange Commission Filings. We assume no responsibility to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events, trends or circumstances after the date they are made.

Source
Tom Baker
Cytori Therapeutics
http://www.cytoritx.com