CARLSBAD, CA - (Marketwired – April 7, 2015) Human parthenogenetic neural stem cells (ISC-hpNSC) can significantly reduce neurological dysfunction after a stroke in animal models, according to recent experiments conducted by International Stem Cell Corporation (OTCQB: ISCO), a California-based biotechnology company developing novel stem cell based therapies and biomedical products.
“With no approved treatments for neurological dysfunction, individuals who have suffered a stroke have few treatment options available beyond physical rehabilitation following recovery,” stated Ruslan Semechkin Ph.D., the company’s chief scientific officer. “These new results are highly encouraging, suggesting that ISC-hpNSC may have significant ability to not only reduce but also reverse these neurological symptoms of dysfunction. These findings not only broaden the future potential use of our neural stem cells beyond Parkinson’s disease but also offer hope to a patient population with a significant unmet medical need.”
Neural stem cells work to repair the brain in several ways. The cells are attracted to the site of injury and in response to signals released by the damaged tissue release a range of molecules that reduce inflammation and trigger the recovery process. Neural stem cells have the ability to make the various neurological cell types to replace the dead and dying cells necessary for the formation of new brain tissue. In this way the hpNSCs act as coordinators of all the various activities necessary to recover brain function.
ISCO's stroke program uses the same neural stem cells as the company’s Parkinson's disease program, derived from the Company’s human parthenogenetic stem cells using a cGMP method based on the protocol published in Nature Scientific Reports in March 2013 (click here). Parthenogenetic neural stem cells have been shown in peer-reviewed publications to have superior immunological properties to other neural stem cells. The complete dataset will be presented at an upcoming scientific conference to be announced separately. Further studies investigating the potential for treating stroke are planned.
According to the National Stroke Association stroke is a leading cause of death In the United States, killing nearly 130,000 people each year, and is a leading cause of serious, long-term adult disability. Approximately 795,000 strokes will occur each year, one occurring every 40 seconds, and taking a life approximately every four minutes. Approximately two million brain cells die every minute during stroke, increasing the risk of permanent brain damage, disability or death. The estimated direct and indirect cost of stroke in the United States in 2010 is $73.7 billion.
About International Stem Cell Corporation
International Stem Cell Corporation is focused on the therapeutic applications of human parthenogenetic stem cells (hpSCs) and the development and commercialization of cell-based research and cosmetic products. ISCO's core technology, parthenogenesis, results in the creation of pluripotent human stem cells from unfertilized oocytes (eggs) hence avoiding ethical issues associated with the use or destruction of viable human embryos. ISCO scientists have created the first parthenogenetic, homozygous stem cell line that can be a source of therapeutic cells for hundreds of millions of individuals of differing genders, ages and racial background with minimal immune rejection after transplantation. hpSCs offer the potential to create the first true stem cell bank, UniStemCellTM. ISCO also produces and markets specialized cells and growth media for therapeutic research worldwide through its subsidiary Lifeline Cell Technology (www.lifelinecelltech.com), and stem cell-based skin care products through its subsidiary Lifeline Skin Care (www.lifelineskincare.com). More information is available at www.internationalstemcell.com.
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Contacts:
International Stem Cell Corporation
Simon Craw, Ph.D., Executive Vice President
Phone: 760-940-6383
Email: ir@intlstemcell.com
Ruslan Semechkin, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer
Phone: 760-940-6383
Email: ras@intlstemcell.com
Media:
Tony Russo, Ph.D.
Phone: (212) 845-4251
Email: tony.russo@russopartnersllc.com
Christopher Hippolyte
Phone: (646)942-5634
Email: chris.hippolyte@russopartnersllc.com
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