OCEANSIDE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--International Stem Cell Corporation (OTCBB:ISCO), announced today a new collaboration with the University of Cambridge (UK) 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.
According to Roger A. Pedersen, PhD, Professor of Regenerative Medicine at Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, “We look forward to conducting molecular and genetic assessment of imprinted gene expression and DNA methylation on these unique 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. Pedersen at the University of Cambridge brings us closer to ISCO’s goal of creating a true stem cell bank that could offer on-demand delivery of stem cells matched to a patient’s own immune system,” said Jeffrey Janus, president of International Stem Cell Corporation. “Our intent is to provide these HLA-homozygous cell lines to researchers across the world to advance the field of regenerative medicine, as well as to commercialize our cells for cell transplant therapies.”
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 Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Elena Revazova, MD, PhD, entitled “HLA Homozygous Stem Cell Lines Derived from Human Parthenogenetic Blastocysts,” published in the online edition of Cloning and Stem Cells Journal: http://www.liebertonline.com/doi/pdfplus/10.1089/clo.2007.0063. One such line, identified as hpSC-Hhom-4, was found to match the most common immune type found across the United States, opening the door to potential therapeutic application for tens of millions of people of different races, sexes and ages.
About University of Cambridge:
As the University of Cambridge approaches its eight-hundredth anniversary in 2009, it is looking to the future. Its mission is to contribute to society through the pursuit of education, learning and research at the highest international levels of excellence. It admits the very best and brightest students, regardless of background, and offers one of the UK’s most generous bursary schemes.
The University of Cambridge’s reputation for excellence is known internationally and reflects the scholastic achievements of its academics and students, as well as the world-class original research carried out by its staff. Some of the most significant scientific breakthroughs occurred at the University, including the splitting of the atom, invention of the jet engine and the discoveries of stem cells, plate tectonics, pulsars and the structure of DNA. From Isaac Newton to Stephen Hawking, the University has nurtured some of history’s greatest minds and has produced more Nobel Prize winners than any other UK institution with over 80 laureates.
About International Stem Cell Corporation:
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.
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