OCEANSIDE, CA – December 15, 2009 –International Stem Cell Corporation (OTCBB:ISCO), www.intlstemcell.com, a company creating human stem cell lines from unfertilized eggs, disclosed today that its previously announced creation of human, cornea-like tissue in a petri dish had become the subject of an article titled “Biotech Could Take Rabbits Off Lab Duty” in the December 11, 2009 edition of Discovery News.
In the article, reporter Alyssa Danigelis writes about how, while growing stem cells in the lab using blastocysts, researchers at International Stem Cell spotted something in the waste products usually discarded from the petri dish that turned out to be a tiny translucent structure of cells that resembled a human cornea.
This little ball of cells, the article explained, might actually spare animals from lab testing and be used for transplants in humans. Many cosmetics, drug, and chemical companies still put their products in live rabbits' eyes for safety testing, a process that is not only awful for the animals, but time-consuming and expensive.
Mr. Kenneth Aldrich, ISCO’s Chairman, was reported as saying that an initial round of testing with the ISCO corneas demonstrated that they have the same permeability as the rabbit eyes. The lab-grown corneas may also have the potential to be transplanted into humans one day. He went on to mention that this could make a big difference in countries where it's difficult to get refrigerated donor corneas to patients in time. Currently the company is repeating a round of validation testing to confirm the permeability results.
The Discovery News article is available at:
http://news.discovery.com/tech/biotech-could-take-rabbits-off-lab-duty.html
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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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:
Statements pertaining to anticipated future financial and/or operating results, future growth in research, technology, clinical development and potential joint venture and other 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, application of capital resources among competing uses, 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
CONTACTS:
International Stem Cell Corporation
Kenneth C. Aldrich, Chairman
760-940-6383
kaldrich@intlstemcell.com
or
Brian Lundstrom, President
760-640-6383
bl@intlstemcell.com
The Investor Relations Group
Investor Relations:
James Carbonara
212-825-3210
jcarbonara@investorrelationsgroup.com
or
Media Relations:
Laura Colontrelle
212-825-3210
lcolontrelle@investorrelationsgroup.com
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