International Stem Cell Corporation CEO Issues Statement On De-Differentiation Research And Parthenogenesis

Main Category: Stem Cell Research
Article Date: 26 Nov 2007 - 13:00 PDT

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Jeff Krstich, Chief Executive Officer of International Stem Cell Corporation (OTCBB:ISCO), issued a statement on the recent announcement that two groups of scientists have succeeded in turning human skin cells into cells that are very similar, though not identical, to embryonic stem cells.

In his full statement, "A Message from the CEO", which appears on the company's website, http://www.internationalstemcell.com, Mr. Krstich applauds this latest advancement, called de-differentiation, and provides explanation of the differences in methodologies between de-differentiation and ISCO's Parthenogenetic Stem Cell Lines (phESC), which were announced in a peer review paper published in Cloning & Stem Cells Journal on June 26, 2007.

The explanation affirms that ISCO's Parthenotes are pluripotent and have thus far shown the same differentiation capability as stem cells derived from human embryos-except that they were created without using fertilized eggs and no fertilized human embryos were destroyed. ISCO Parthenotes have already been differentiated into several specific cell types, including two types of nerve cells scheduled for human trials shortly.

Mr Krstich's message further noted that unlike the de-differentiation process, the stem cell lines produced by ISCO's Parthenogenesis process do not employ the use of any cancer causing genes or the use of viruses that may cause disease in humans. In addition, ISCO Parthenotes are developed with either no use or minimal use of animal serums or animal by-product. Further, ISCO's Parthenotes hold the promise for human therapeutic use with the distinct advantage of requiring little or no immunosuppressant drugs.

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 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.

http://www.internationalstemcell.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release and the "Message from the CEO" on the company's website to which it refers, may contain 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, plans, goals, or prospects expressed by management. Those and 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 be considered 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.

International Stem Cell Corporation