Tuesday, March 20, 2012

International Stem Cell Corporations Announces 2011 Financial Results

CARLSBAD, California – March 20, 2012 - International Stem Cell Corporation (OTCBB: ISCO) www.internationalstemcell.com  today announced year-end financial results for the year ended December 31, 2011.  ISCO is a California-based development-stage biotechnology company that is focused on therapeutic, biomedical and cosmeceutical product development and commercialization with multiple long-term therapeutic opportunities and two revenue-generating businesses offering potential for increased future revenue.

ISCO reported revenue of $1.1 million for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2011, reflecting a 110% increase from the same period of the prior year.  For the twelve months ended December 31, 2011, the Company reported revenue of $4.5 million, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 189%.  The increases in revenues in both periods were primarily driven by strong sales at ISCO’s wholly-owned subsidiary Lifeline Skin Care (LSC).  In addition, steady growth in sales from ISCO’s other wholly-owned subsidiary, Lifeline Cell Technology (LCT), contributed to the increases in revenues for both periods. 

While the Company continued to invest in therapeutic projects, development of new technologies, and expansion of products and channels of distribution, to date we have generated limited revenue to support our core therapeutic research and development efforts.  For the three months ended December 31, 2011, development expenses, excluding cost of sales, increased $507,000 or 17% compared with the same period of 2010, a reflection of increased G&A expenses resulting from higher stock-based compensation expenses. 

For the twelve months ended December 31, 2011, development expenses, excluding costs of sales, increased approximately $3.0 million or 26% when compared with the prior year period. The majority of the increase was primarily due to increases in general and administrative and research and development activities.  General and administrative expenses increased largely due to increased non-cash stock-based compensation, higher headcount, and increased expenses related business development activity and general corporate expenses. Research & Development expenses increased mainly due to increased number and complexity of experiments associated with our scientific projects. The increase in development expenses was also related to increased research activities on therapeutic products and product research activities for LSC and LCT coupled with increased sales and marketing expenses related to our skin care products.

Some of the 2011 Highlights:

-- A number of donors willing to provide oocytes for research purposed were enrolled in ISCO's program to establish a bank of clinical grade hpSC capable of being immune-matched to millions of patients.

-- The Research and Development team successfully completed the first series of preclinical studies that supports the therapeutic use of hepatocytes (liver cells) and neuronal cells derived from human parthenogenetic stem cells (hpSC). These in vivo experiments demonstrated that the derived cells are able to survive in targeted location in mice without causing tumors.

-- We became Sarbanes-Oxley compliant and maintained, in all material respects, effective internal controls over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011.

-- We strengthened our Management Team through the appointments of well-known industry executives: Kurt May as President & Chief Operating Officer; Linh Nguyen as Chief Financial Officer; Donna Queen as Vice President of Marketing and Business Development for LSC.

--  Lifeline Skin Care launched a number of new sales and marketing initiatives including positioning the brand as the first bio-tech skin care company vested in technology-driven proprietary ingredients, opening new destination and resort spa sales and marketing channels and developing close working relationships and strategic partnerships with peer-group influencers in dermatology and plastic surgery clinics.  LSC was also featured in the national media promoting its products and ISCO's technology, began distributing products in Australia and New Zealand, and initiated marketing agreements in other selected international markets.

-- Lifeline Cell Technology opened new international distribution channels in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Korea and India, providing a well-balanced distribution system consisting of direct domestic sales, private label manufacturing contracts and added international distribution partners.  

About International Stem Cell Corporation
International Stem Cell Corporation is focused on the therapeutic application of human
parthenogenetic stem cells 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). hpSCs avoid ethical issues
associated with the use or destruction of viable human embryos. ISCO scientists have created
the first parthenogenic, homozygous stem cell line that can be a source of therapeutic cells with
minimal immune rejection after transplantation into hundreds of millions of individuals of
differing genders, ages and racial background. This offers the potential to create the first true
stem cell bank, UniStemCell™. ISCO also produces and markets specialized cells and growth
media for therapeutic research worldwide through its subsidiary Lifeline Cell Technology, and
cell-based skin care products through its subsidiary Lifeline Skin Care. More information is
available at www.internationalstemcell.com.
To subscribe to receive ongoing corporate communications, please click on the following link:
http://www.b2i.us/irpass.asp?BzID=1468&to=ea&s=0.

Contacts:
International Stem Cell Corporation
Linh Nguyen, CFO
760-940-6383
lnguyen@intlstemcell.com
Or
Dr. Ruslan Semechkin, Vice President
760-940-6383
ras@intlstemcell.com


INTERNATIONAL STEM CELL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES (A Developmental Stage Company)
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except share data)
 
December 31,
20112010
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents$1,337$5,782
Accounts receivable140739
Inventory, net1,268856
Prepaid assets 274  228 
 
Total current assets3,0197,605
Property and equipment, net1,4201,296
Intangible assets, net1,282986
Deposits and other assets 16  40 
 
Total assets$5,737 $9,927 
 
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities
Accounts payable$885$583
Accrued liabilities752545
Deferred revenue189760
Convertible debt and advances250250
Warrants to purchase common stock 38  2,400 
 
Total liabilities 2,114  4,538 
 
Stockholders' Equity
Series D Preferred stock, $0.001 par value 50 shares authorized, 43 issued and outstanding for 2011 and 2010--
Series A Preferred stock, $0.001 par value 5,000,000 shares authorized, 500,000 issued and outstanding for 2011 and 2010, liquidation preferences of $615,000 and $585,000 in 2011 and 2010, respectively11
Series B Preferred stock, $0.001 par value 5,000,000 shares authorized, 300,000 issued and outstanding for 2011 and 2010, liquidation preferences of $367,000 and $349,000 in 2011 and 2010, respectively00
Series C Preferred stock, $0.001 par value 3,000,000 shares authorized, 2,000,000 issued and outstanding for 2011 and 2010, liquidation preferences of $2,387,000 and $2,267,000 in 2011 and 2010, respectively22
Common stock, $0.001 par value 200,000,000 shares authorized, 80,036,315 and 74,771,107 issued and outstanding for 2011 and 2010, respectively8075
Subscription receivable on common stock-(5)
Additional paid-in capital63,99556,170
Deficit accumulated during the development stage (60,455) (50,854)
 
Total stockholders' equity 3,623  5,389 
 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity$5,737 $9,927 
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
             
INTERNATIONAL STEM CELL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES (A Developmental Stage Company)
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
Year Ended December 31,Inception
(August 17, 2001)
through
December 31,
2011
20112010
 
Product sales$4,532$1,568$7,631
Royalties and license -  -  135 
 
Total revenue 4,532  1,568  7,766 
 
Development expenses
Cost of sales1,6187253,334
Research and development4,4343,37418,294
Marketing1,4758603,874
General and administrative 8,360  7,071  31,684 
 
Total development expenses 15,887  12,030  57,186 
 
Loss from development activities(11,355)(10,462)(49,420)
Other income (expense)
Settlement with related company--(93)
Miscellaneous(163)(26)(180)
Dividend and interest income12894
Interest expense-(14)(2,225)
Change in market value of warrants2,335(2,501)(1,395)
Sublease income 11  252  309 
 
Total other income (expense) 2,184  (2,261) (3,490)
 
Loss before income taxes(9,171)(12,723)(52,910)
Provision for income taxes -  -  7 
 
Net loss$(9,171)$(12,723)$(52,917)
 
Dividend on preferred stock (430) (1,561) (7,968)
 
Net loss applicable to common stockholders$(9,601)$(14,284)$(60,885)
 
Net loss per common share-basic and diluted$(0.12)$(0.21) n/a 
 
Weighted average shares-basic and diluted 77,320  68,762  n/a 
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
International Stem Cell Corporation
Linh Nguyen, CFO
760-940-6383
lnguyen@intlstemcell.com
or
Dr. Ruslan Semechkin, Vice President
760-940-6383
ras@intlstemcell.com

Monday, March 12, 2012

International Stem Cell Corporation Completes $5 Million Financing and Elects Jim Berglund to the Board of Directors

CARLSBAD, Calif. (March 12, 2012) – International Stem Cell Corporation (OTCBB:ISCO) www.internationalstemcell.com, a California-based biotechnology company focused on therapeutic, cosmetic and research products, announced today that it had obtained new capital financing and made important changes in the composition of its Board of Directors to ensure that Independent Directors hold the majority of Board seats.

The financing consists of $5 million in newly issued Series G Convertible Preferred Stock (without warrants), convertible into Common Stock at a conversion price of $0.40/share, the market price of the Company’s Common Stock on the date the offer to purchase was made.  This financing was made by AR Partners LLC, a healthcare investment firm owned by Dr. Andrey Semechkin ISCO’s CEO and Co-Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Concurrently with the closing of this financing, the Company elected to its Board of Directors Dr. James Berglund, co-founder of Enterprise Partners Venture Capital - one of the premier venture capital firms in the field of healthcare technology founded in 1985. Dr. Berglund, with his extensive professional experience, continues as an active participant in the biotech and healthcare industries. Dr. Berglund will replace Kenneth C. Aldrich, co-founder and former CEO of the Company during the period 2008-2009, who is stepping down as ISCO Board of Directors Co-Chairman. Although Mr. Aldrich is retiring from our Board, he will remain as one of ISCO’s largest shareholders and an active consultant to the Board and executive management and will continue to represent the Company as “Chairman Emeritus” in a variety of public and private venues.

According to Mr. Aldrich, “In my view, Dr. Semechkin’s willingness to commit such a significant amount of capital to ISCO at the market price of the Company’s stock on the date of his offer represents a major vote of confidence in ISCO’s future by its most senior executive. We are thankful to Dr. Semechkin for his support that will further advance ISCO’s parthenogenetic stem cell-based therapeutic programs and income generating businesses.”

Having a majority of independent directors on our company’s Board represents an important step in ISCO’s development and in transforming ISCO into a leading public company in the field of regenerative medicine.

“I want to thank Mr. Aldrich for his long-standing dedication and continued involvement in guiding the Company,” said Dr. Semechkin. “This long-term investment, along with the new executive management team recruited over the previous twelve months, will provide ISCO with the necessary economic stability and resources to pursue its goals of consolidating our leadership position and accelerating our therapeutic programs” continued Dr. Semechkin.

About International Stem Cell Corporation

International Stem Cell Corporation is focused on the therapeutic applications of human parthenogenetic stem cells 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). HpSCs avoid ethical issues associated with the use or destruction of viable human embryos.  ISCO scientists have created the first parthenogenic, homozygous stem cell line that can be a source of therapeutic cells with minimal immune rejection after transplantation into hundreds of millions of individuals of differing genders, ages and racial backgrounds.  This offers the potential to create the first true stem cell bank, UniStemCell™.  ISCO also produces and markets specialized cells and growth media for therapeutic research worldwide through its subsidiary Lifeline Cell Technology, and cell-based skin care products through its subsidiary Lifeline Skin Care.  More information is available at www.internationalstemcell.com.

To subscribe to receive ongoing corporate communications, please click on the following link: http://www.b2i.us/irpass.asp?BzID=1468&to=ea&s=0.

Forward-looking Statements

Statements pertaining to anticipated developments and other opportunities for the company and its subsidiaries, 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 and the management of collaborations, 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 forward-looking statements.


Contacts:

International Stem Cell Corporation
Andrey Semechkin, Co-Chairman and CEO
760-940-6383

Kurt May, President/COO
760-940-6383

Lippert/Heilshorn & Associates 
Don Markley (dmarkley@lhai.com)
310-691-7100

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

International Stem Cell Corporation to Present at the Roth Conference on March 14, 2012

International Stem Cell Corporation (OTCBB:ISCO) today announced that Co-Chairman Kenneth Aldrich and President and Chief Operating Officer Kurt May will be presenting at the 24th Annual Roth Conference on Wednesday, March 14, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. Pacific time. The conference is being held March 11-14 at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Dana Point, California.

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). hpSCs avoid ethical issues associated with the use or destruction of viable human embryos. ISCO scientists have created the first parthenogenic, 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, UniStemCell™. ISCO also produces and markets specialized cells and growth media for therapeutic research worldwide through its subsidiary Lifeline Cell Technology, and cell-based skin care products through its subsidiary Lifeline Skin Care. More information is available at www.internationalstemcell.com.

To subscribe to receive ongoing corporate communications, please click on the following link: http://www.b2i.us/irpass.asp?BzID=1468&to=ea&s=0.

International Stem Cell Corporation
Kenneth C. Aldrich, Co-Chairman
760-940-6383

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

PRWEB: Absorption Systems Expands In Vivo Drug and Medical Device Testing Capabilities

Preclinical contract research organization renovates facility, adding state-of-the-art technology and upgrading ocular testing services.
Exton, PA (PRWEB) January 31, 2012
Absorption Systems announces the latest in a series of milestones in the continuing expansion of its AAALAC-accredited and GLP-compliant facility in San Diego, CA. The facility is undergoing extensive renovations to upgrade and expand the company’s in vivo testing capabilities for drugs and medical devices, including the construction of a dedicated ocular testing laboratory with state-of-the-art equipment, including a Heidelberg Spectralis® optical coherence tomography (OCT) unit. This instrument produces detailed digital images of the retina, enabling precise monitoring of the efficacy and toxicity of drugs and medical devices. Absorption Systems’ San Diego facility, in the midst of a major expansion of staff, equipment, and capabilities in the specialized area of preclinical ocular drug and device testing, continues to see significant growth year-over-year early in 2012.
Glenwood Gum, M.S., Ph.D., who joined Absorption Systems in 2011 as Associate Director, Preclinical Studies, commented, “This OCT technology gives a huge boost to our ocular testing capabilities, which will immediately benefit our rapidly expanding client base.” Dr. Gum is an expert in preclinical ocular studies, having developed or co-developed many of the preclinical models of glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), retinoblastoma, uveitis, and diabetic retinopathy that are used all over the world for drug testing. His expertise, along with dedicated staff and the addition of state-of-the-art equipment and facilities, are key to Absorption Systems’ strategy to aggressively pursue new business opportunities in the preclinical ocular testing arena.
Dr. Gum will be a featured speaker on Preclinical Glaucoma and CNV Models at the 4th Ocular Diseases and Drug Discovery conference in Las Vegas, NV February 27-28, 2012.
Patrick Dentinger, President and CEO of Absorption Systems, said, “For Absorption Systems, being a market leader in whatever endeavor we pursue is a cornerstone of our business philosophy. This requires scientific expertise, state-of-the-art equipment and facilities, and access to emerging technologies. These factors, combined with Absorption Systems’ customer-centric approach, make our commitment to being a top-tier ocular service provider a reality in 2012.”
Absorption Systems’ preclinical ocular test portfolio includes in vivo ocular pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety in multiple species, as well as in vitro ocular permeability and metabolism. For example, the human corneal orb is a unique in vitro permeability model available as a service platform only through Absorption Systems. The corneal orb, cultured from human pluripotent stem cells, was developed by Lifeline Cell Technology, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of International Stem Cell Corporation, and has been validated by Absorption Systems as an in vitro corneal permeability test system.
About Absorption Systems
Absorption Systems, founded in 1996, assists pharmaceutical and medical device companies in identifying and overcoming ADMET (Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion and Toxicity) barriers in the development of drugs and medical devices. The company's mission is to continually develop innovative research tools that can be used to accurately predict human outcomes or to explain unanticipated human outcomes when they occur. The CellPort Technologies® platform, a suite of human cell-based test systems for drug transporter characterization, exemplifies Absorption Systems' commitment to innovation and is soon to be an industry assay standard for in vitro drug interaction assessment. Absorption Systems has facilities near Philadelphia, PA, and San Diego, CA, and serves customers throughout the world. For information on the company's comprehensive contract services and applied research programs, please visit http://www.absorption.com.



SOURCE: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/1/prweb9153045.htm