Cytori Expands Patent Protection For Celution(R) Stem & Regenerative Cell Processing System

Main Category: Stem Cell Research
Article Date: 08 Jan 2009 - 5:00 PST

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Cytori (NASDAQ: CYTX) received U.S. Patent No. 7,473,420 (the '420 patent), which protects important formulations of the Celution® System output. This builds upon U.S. Patent No. 7,390,484, issued to Cytori in June 2008, which covers the Celution System technology for the bedside processing of stem and regenerative cells derived from adipose tissue.

Specifically, the patent covers methods to combine the Celution System output with additives such as scaffolds, matrices, or other agents to increase therapeutic effect, optimize or localize cell delivery, enhance specific cell properties or promote cell differentiation. The additives covered by the claims include, but are not limited to, the following:

- An agent that promotes cell differentiation, including growth factors, cytokines, proteins, pharmaceuticals, among others;
- Demineralized bone, tissue, or tissue fragment;
- Biological or artificial scaffold; and
- Immunosuppressive compound, antibiotic, or antimicrobial agent.

Delivery of the stem and regenerative cells may be improved by combining the cells with a scaffold or matrix; for example, demineralized bone may be combined with the Celution output to support orthopedic repair. The Celution output may also be combined with drugs, proteins, genes, or other agents to enhance cell properties or to induce the cells to differentiate. For example, combining adipose-derived stem and regenerative cells with hyaluronic acid has been shown preclinically to repair damaged spinal disc.

The Company's intellectual property portfolio related to the devices, methods and uses of adipose-derived stem and regenerative cells includes nine U.S. and international patents and over 120 applications pending worldwide. Cytori's extensive research, proprietary know-how, exclusive supply agreements, and instrumentation, combine to create greater barriers-to-entry for what the Company believes is the only safe, high-quality and effective adipose tissue-derived stem.

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 being commercialized 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. http://www.cytoritx.com

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.

Cytori