Cytomedix Announces Positive Results With Angel(R) cPRP in Veterinary Application

GAITHERSBURG, MD--(Marketwire - Dec 7, 2012) - Cytomedix, Inc. ( OTCQX : CMXI ) (the "Company"), a regenerative therapies company commercializing and developing innovative platelet and adult stem cell technologies, announced today that positive data on the Angel cPRP system in a veterinary application -- treatment of persistent mating induced endometritis (PMIE) in mares -- were recently presented at the 3rd annual conference of the North American Veterinary Regenerative Medicine Association (NAVRMA) in Savannah, GA.Treatment with PRP was shown to be associated with a statistically significant reduction in certain endometrial pro-inflammatory cytokines and inducible nitric oxide synthetase (iNOS), both known to be involved in the pathology of PMIE.

Many mares fail to respond to conventional therapies and recent studies have shown a link between PMIE and the expression of certain cytokines.Nitric oxide is also believed to play a role in uterine clearance. The study investigated 9 barren mares with a history of PMIE. During the treatment cycle, whole blood was processed using the Angel cPRP system and the resultant PRP was brought to a final volume with platelet poor plasma and infused into the uterus. All mares were then inseminated with motile sperm.Evaluation of endometrial biopsies showed that in mares treated with PRP there was down-regulated expression of pro-inflammatory molecules, IL-1b, IL-6, IL-8 and iNOS, compared with untreated mares (p < 0.05).

Lisa Metcalf MS, DVM, Diplomate ACT, lead investigator on the study commented on the results, "Infertility in high value mares is a significant economic problem in the equestrian industry.Intra uterine treatment with PRP offers a new approach to treating this condition and, in this study we observed multiple pregnancies in the treated mares that were previously barren. Use of PRP in this setting warrants further investigation".

Martin Rosendale, Chief Executive Officer of Cytomedix added, "These results are very promising and give us further insight into the mechanism by which PRP inhibits inflammation by decreasing the presence of pro-inflammatory cytokines. These findings regarding the control of inflammation may be transferable to human inflammatory conditions. We will continue to explore disease areas where inflammation is known to play a role and where there is a need for a therapeutic alternative to corticosteroids."

About Cytomedix, Inc. Cytomedix, Inc. is an autologous regenerative therapies company commercializing innovative platelet technologies for orthopedics and wound care with a pipeline of adult stem cell therapies for tissue repair. The Company markets the AutoloGel System, a device for the production of autologous platelet rich plasma ("PRP") gel for use on a variety of exuding wounds and the Angel Concentrated Platelet Rich Plasma System, a blood processing device and disposable products used for the separation of whole blood or a mixture of blood and bone marrow, into red cells, platelet poor plasma ("PPP") and PRP in surgical settingsOn February 8, 2012 Cytomedix closed the acquisition of Aldagen, a biopharmaceutical company developing regenerative cell therapies based on its proprietary ALDH bright cell technology, currently in a Phase 2 trial for the treatment of ischemic stroke. For additional information please visit cytomedix.com

Safe Harbor StatementStatements contained in this press release not relating to historical facts are forward-looking statements that are intended to fall within the safe harbor rule for such statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The information contained in the forward-looking statements is inherently uncertain, and Cytomedix' actual results may differ materially due to a number of factors, many of which are beyond Cytomedix' ability to predict or control, including among many others, risks and uncertainties related to the Company's ability to successfully integrate the Aldagen acquisition, to successfully manage contemplated clinical trials, to manage and address the capital needs, human resource, management, compliance and other challenges of a larger, more complex and integrated business enterprise, viability and effectiveness of the Company's sales approach and overall marketing strategies, commercial success or acceptance by the medical community, competitive responses, the Company's ability to raise additional capital and to continue as a going concern, and Cytomedix's ability to execute on its strategy to market the AutoloGel System as contemplated. To the extent that any statements made here are not historical, these statements are essentially forward-looking. The Company uses words and phrases such as "believes", "forecasted," "projects," "is expected," "remain confident," "will" and/or similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements in this press release. Undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking information. These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events to differ from the forward-looking statements. More information about some of these risks and uncertainties may be found in the reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Cytomedix, Inc. Cytomedix operates in a highly competitive and rapidly changing business and regulatory environment, thus new or unforeseen risks may arise. Accordingly, investors should not place any reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results. Except as is expressly required by the federal securities laws, Cytomedix undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, changed circumstances or future events or for any other reason. Additional risks that could affect our future operating results are more fully described in our U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including our Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2011 and other subsequent filings. These filings are available at http://www.sec.gov.

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Cytomedix Announces Positive Results With Angel(R) cPRP in Veterinary Application

Cytomedix Announces Landmark Bright Cell Therapy Study in Peripheral Arterial Disease

GAITHERSBURG, MD--(Marketwire - Dec 6, 2012) - Cytomedix, Inc. ( OTCQX : CMXI ) (the "Company"), a regenerative therapies company commercializing and developing innovative platelet and adult stem cell technologies, announced today the signing of an agreement with NIH to collaborate on a Phase 2 clinical study in patients with intermittent claudication (IC).IC is caused by peripheral arterial disease (PAD), a condition causing reduced flow of blood and oxygen to muscles of the leg. The study is being funded by NHLBI/NIH and managed by the Cardiovascular Cell Therapy Research Network (CCTRN), which is also responsible for enrolling patients. The CCTRN is a network that includes seven centers in the United States with experience and expertise in stem cell clinical trials studying treatments for cardiovascular heart diseases.

The Phase 2 PACE (Patients with Intermittent Claudication Injected with ALDH Bright Cells) study is an 80 patient, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial intended to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of ALD-301 (Bright Cells) in patients diagnosed with IC.The primary endpoints of the study are safety and the change in peak walking time at 6 months compared to baseline.Additionally, changes in leg collateral arterial anatomy, calf muscle blood flow, and tissue perfusion as determined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) will be examined. These novel MRI techniques are incorporated into the study to assess perfusion, providing a unique set of data potentially supporting the angiogenic mechanism of Bright Cells.The clinical study has received Investigational New Drug approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is expected to begin enrollment in Q1 2013 upon the Investigational Review Board approvals from the participating centers.

Martin P. Rosendale, Chief Executive Officer of Cytomedix, stated, "We are delighted that the CCTRN has chosen to collaborate with Cytomedix on this study.Our February acquisition of Aldagen and the Bright Cell technology has positioned us well to play a leading role in investigating promising clinical paths in regenerative medicine where there exists significant unmet medical need.We look forward to supplying a highly differentiated personalized cell therapy product to the participating CCTRN centers involved with this important PAD indication.Intermittent claudication is a serious consequence of arteriosclerosis which, if left untreated, will likely progress to pain at rest and possibly open wounds.Our experience with the AutoloGel product and the clinical treatment of lower extremity wounds resulting from CLI has provided us with a full appreciation of the difficult clinical outcomes associated with this compromised patient population.We are hopeful that improvements in lower leg blood flow will lead to increased peak walking time which has been accepted as an FDA approvable endpoint in pivotal Phase 3 trials in IC."

"This is the first randomized clinical trial to look at the benefits of autologous stem cell therapy in PAD patients with IC. It will collect important mechanistic and clinical information on the efficacy and safety of the direct injection of Bright Cells into these patients. It will also evaluate the utility of advanced imaging endpoints that could be used in the future to further understand the impact of novel therapies in this patient population," added Lem Moy, M.D., Ph.D., professor of biostatistics at the University of Texas School of Public Health, Houston, and co-author of the study protocol.

PAD is a major unmet medical need affecting approximately 8 to 10 million patients in the U.S. IC is a significant subset of the PAD population and is characterized by pain in the lower legs while in motion that resolves upon rest.Critical limb ischemia (CLI) is the advanced form of PAD, and is associated with poor clinical outcomes and increased morbidity.An important goal of medical intervention is to attempt to prevent the progression of patients from IC to CLI.This clinical studybuilds on the strong data showing increased blood flow and improved clinical status from Cytomedix's previous Phase 1/2 study of ALD-301 in CLI published last year ("A Randomized, Controlled Study of Autologous Therapy with Bone Marrow-Derived Aldehyde Dehydrogenase Bright Cells in Patients with Critical Limb Ischemia" Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions 2011).In the PACE study, ALD-301 will be delivered in the same manner, via direct, intramuscular injection in a grid pattern of the affected lower limb.Cytomedix will be responsible for manufacturing ALD-301 for the clinical trial and will have certain rights todata generated during the trial.

About ALD-301/ALDH Bright CellsALD-301 is a population of autologous pluripotent stem cells isolated from the patients' bone marrow using Cytomedix' proprietary Bright Cell technology.These adult stem cells express high levels of the enzyme ALDH, an indicator of biological activity in heterogeneous early stage stem cells.Preclinical research suggests that ALD-301 may promote the repair of ischemic tissue damage by producing signaling molecules that are involved in cell recruitment, cell adhesion, and angiogenesis.

About Cardiovascular Cell Therapy Research Network (CCTRN) and NHLBIThe CCTRN includes seven main stem cell centers in the United States with experience and expertise in clinical trials studying treatments for cardiovascular diseases.They are the Texas Heart Institute, the University of Florida at Gainesville, Minneapolis Heart Institute, Stanford University, University of Louisville, University of Miami and the Vascular and Cardiac Center for Adult Stem Cell Therapy in Indianapolis, Indiana.The CCTRN has successfully completed and published the results of three adult stem cell trials to date (TIME, LateTIME, and FOCUS).Further information on CCTRN is available at: cctrn.org.

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) is a component of the National Institutes of Health. NHLBI plans, conducts, and supports research related to the causes, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of heart, blood vessel, lung, and blood diseases; and sleep disorders. The Institute also administers national health education campaigns on women and heart disease, healthy weight for children, and other topics. NHLBI press releases and other materials are available at: nhlbi.nih.gov.

About Cytomedix, Inc. Cytomedix, Inc. is an autologous regenerative therapies company commercializing innovative platelet technologies for orthopedics and wound care with a pipeline of adult stem cell therapies for tissue repair. The Company markets the AutoloGel System, a device for the production of autologous platelet rich plasma ("PRP") gel for use on a variety of exuding wounds and the Angel cPRP System, a blood processing device and disposable products used for the separation of blood and bone marrow into red cells, platelet poor plasma ("PPP") and PRP in surgical settings.On February 8, 2012 Cytomedix closed the acquisition of Aldagen, a biopharmaceutical company developing regenerative cell therapies based on its proprietary ALDH bright cell technology, currently in a Phase 2 trial for the treatment of ischemic stroke. For additional information please visit cytomedix.com

Safe Harbor StatementStatements contained in this press release not relating to historical facts are forward-looking statements that are intended to fall within the safe harbor rule for such statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The information contained in the forward-looking statements is inherently uncertain, and Cytomedix' actual results may differ materially due to a number of factors, many of which are beyond Cytomedix' ability to predict or control, including among many others, risks and uncertainties related to the Company's ability to successfully integrate the Aldagen acquisition, to successfully manage contemplated clinical trials, to manage and address the capital needs, human resource, management, compliance and other challenges of a larger, more complex and integrated business enterprise, viability and effectiveness of the Company's sales approach and overall marketing strategies, commercial success or acceptance by the medical community, competitive responses, the Company's ability to raise additional capital and to continue as a going concern, and Cytomedix's ability to execute on its strategy to market the AutoloGel System as contemplated. To the extent that any statements made here are not historical, these statements are essentially forward-looking. The Company uses words and phrases such as "believes," "forecasted," "projects," "is expected," "remain confident," "will" and/or similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements in this press release. Undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking information. These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events to differ from the forward-looking statements. More information about some of these risks and uncertainties may be found in the reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Cytomedix, Inc. Cytomedix operates in a highly competitive and rapidly changing business and regulatory environment, thus new or unforeseen risks may arise. Accordingly, investors should not place any reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results. Except as is expressly required by the federal securities laws, Cytomedix undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, changed circumstances or future events or for any other reason. Additional risks that could affect our future operating results are more fully described in our U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including our Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2011 and other subsequent filings. These filings are available at http://www.sec.gov.

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Cytomedix Announces Landmark Bright Cell Therapy Study in Peripheral Arterial Disease

BioTime CEO Dr. Michael West Presents Product Development Update at World Stem Cell Summit 2012

ALAMEDA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

BioTime, Inc. (NYSE MKT: BTX), a biotechnology company that develops and markets products in the field of regenerative medicine, announced that Chief Executive Officer Michael D. West, Ph.D. will provide an update today on five products being developed by BioTime and its subsidiaries during a presentation at the World Stem Cell Summit 2012 in West Palm Beach, Florida in the session on Developing Combination Products: Cells, Genes, and Devices at 1:30 pm EST. The presentation will be made available on BioTime's website at http://www.biotimeinc.com.

BioTimes technology platform utilizes pluripotent stem cells that are capable of differentiating into any of the cell types in the body to produce potentially novel first-in-class regenerative therapies for largely unsolved problems in medicine. Using the Companys proprietary ACTCellerateTM technology, BioTime has more than 200 novel and scalable cellular components of the human body.

OTX-CP07 Update

Dr. West will present for the first time information relating to 18 novel and diverse progenitor cell lines capable of differentiating into diverse cartilage and bone types, as well as producing cells with markers of tendon, and brain meningeal tissues. The cartilage progenitor formulation designated OTX-CP07 is being developed by BioTimes subsidiary OrthoCyte Corporation, and is currently beginning the process of animal studies of safety and efficacy for the treatment of intervertebral disc disease. The cartilage, bone, and tendon-producing cell lines may have significant applications in the treatment of orthopedic disorders such as osteoarthritis and low back pain resulting from intervertebral disc disease, while the subset of lines capable of choroid plexus differentiation may have application in the treatment of Alzheimers disease.

Renevia Update

For many of the wide array of cell-based regenerative therapies being developed around the world, the formulation of the cells with a matrix is desired to increase viable and immobilized engraftment. Renevia is designed to be an effective means of transplanting cells in an injectable liquid that can polymerize safely in the body into a tissue construct. Dr. West will report that validation of the analytical methods and manufacturing processes for Renevia are substantially complete. Production of one of Renevias four manufacturing components under Current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) is completed and cGMP production of the remaining three components is scheduled. Clinical trial protocols (three phases) are being drafted and BioTime anticipates that during the first quarter of 2013 a submission of the Renevia Phase I safety trial in humans will be made to the appropriate Spanish Ethics Committee for review and approval. In addition, he will report continued progress on establishing quality management systems for compliance with ISO 13485 (required in the EU for medical devices) and that preliminary review and audit (by an external auditor) is currently scheduled for the first quarter of 2013 with the final ISO audit expected during the second quarter.

PanC-Dx Update

PanC-Dx, being developed by BioTimes subsidiary OncoCyte Corporation, is intended to be a blood-based screening diagnostic for a wide array of solid tumor types. Recent reports of the relative ineffectiveness of mammography in reducing patient death from breast cancer highlight the urgent need for improved tools to accurately detect the disease in its earliest stages. Dr. West will report that OncoCyte has initiated production of monoclonal antibodies to the first seven of its priority cancer markers. In addition, OncoCyte has completed the characterization of over 50 antibodies in order to screen for the subset with greatest specificity for each individual marker. Dynamic testing of the antibodies for use in ELISA and point of care formats are currently underway.

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BioTime CEO Dr. Michael West Presents Product Development Update at World Stem Cell Summit 2012

Precision StemCell's Neural Reprogrammed Stem Cell Therapy Yields Better-Than-Expected Results for ALS Patients

GULF SHORES, Ala., Dec. 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --More than 75 percent of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients who received neural reprogrammed stem cell therapy have shown a positive response to the procedure. The groundbreaking technique was introduced to the United States this year by Precision StemCell (http://www.precisionstemcell.com), an outpatient imaging and image-guided treatment facility located in Gulf Shores, Ala.

The procedure is performed by Dr. Jason R. Williams, a board-certified radiologist with extensive training in image-guided procedures. Under his care, 14 out of 18 patients diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, have shown signs of recovery.

"The improvements are mild, with patients reporting improved movement, breathing and speech, but we still have a long way to go," Dr. Williams stated. "Only time will tell how this therapy will affect the patients' long-term prognosis."

In Precision StemCell's neural reprogrammed stem cell therapy, fat-derived stem cells are injected into the spine of the patient. Dr. Williams uses a drug called selegeline, which has been shown to be a pre-inducer of adipose-derived stem cells into neural-like cells. Dr. Williams contends that the therapy is probably one of the largest advances seen in ALS therapy. "Before we started this therapy, I would have been happy just to see the progression of the disease halted, but to see some actual improvement, that was just shocking," he said

The first patient treated with the technique was Frank Orgel who continues to see improvement since his first treatment seven months ago. Eight years ago, Orgel's quality of life had declined to the point that he could not move his left arm or leg, walk or even stand on his own. The therapy has allowed Orgel to stand without assistance, and he continues to work with a physical therapist to regain the ability to walk. Another patient, Dexter Johnson, previously walked with a cane. After the treatment, Johnson has been able to walk without his cane for the majority of the time and he has been able to walk at a much faster pace.

The Precision StemCell center focuses on advanced imaging techniques, which include a 3T Open MRI, a low-dose 64-Slice CT Scanner, ultrasound and fluoroscopy, also known as real-time x-ray. The center is headed by Dr. Williams, who specializes in image-guided procedures, had already been performing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), ultrasound and fluoroscopy-guided stem cell injections for joint and orthopedic conditions.

In addition to their current work on advanced stem cell harvesting and processing with image-guided stem cell injections, Precision StemCell staff are planning to conduct further research so as to develop even more advanced techniques such as adding gene therapy to the current neural reprogramming platform. "Our therapy techniques not only hold promise for ALS patients, but also for people with other neural-related conditions such as Parkinson's and spinal cord injuries," said Dr. Williams. "There are several candidate genes that we plan to add to the adipose-derived stem cells and study in the mouse model. Though we are happy with our initial progress, our goal is to develop an effective cure."

About Precision StemCell

Located in Gulf Shores, Alabama, Precision StemCell conducts stem cell procedures using advanced imaging techniques, which include an Open 3T MRI, a low-dose 64-Slice CT scanner, ultrasound, and real time x-ray (fluoroscopy). Headed by Jason Williams, MD, a board-certified radiologist with extensive training in image-guided procedures, the facility performs advanced stem cell harvesting and processing with image-guided stem cell injections.

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Precision StemCell's Neural Reprogrammed Stem Cell Therapy Yields Better-Than-Expected Results for ALS Patients

Stem Cell Media Interview With Dr. Adrian Harel: Fighting to End ALS, Once and for All

NEW YORK, NY and PETACH TIKVAH, ISRAEL--(Marketwire - Dec 4, 2012) - Sai Rosen of http://www.InvestorStemCell.com (Stem Cell Media, LLC) recently sat down with Dr. Adrian Harel, Chief Executive Officer for Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics Inc. ( OTCQB : BCLI ).Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics Inc. is a biotechnology company developing autologous stem cell therapies for highly debilitating neurodegenerative disorders, such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) (Lou Gehrig's disease), Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Parkinson's disease (PD) and Spinal Cord Injury. These diseases have limited treatment options and as such represent unmet medical needs.

Dr. Harel has over 30 years' experience in international business development, marketing, clinical development, fund raising and building strategic partnerships. In January 2011, he came to Brainstorm and leveraged all his experience to transform the company from a struggling pre-clinical biotech to the world's leader in clinical stage neurodegenerative treatment for ALS.The company is nearing submission of an ALS Phase II, to be conducted at the renowned Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH).

During his interview, Dr. Harel shared the following information:

Why are you interested in neurodegenerative disorders?

Dr. Harel: "I became fascinated in this area of research while working at Proneuron Biotechnologies.We had created the 'world center' for paralysis.I had the pleasure to work with Christopher Reeve and other clinical leaders.We pioneered these early stage cellular treatments and I was pleased to have played a significant role in regulatory and managing endeavors across multiple channels both internal and external."

What brought you to Brainstorm?

Dr. Harel: "I have spent my whole life helping others, working with teams that are inspired to find solutions to difficult biological problems with the end goal to ease the burden of suffering.ALS is in my opinion the worst of the worst when considering unmet neurodegenerative diseases.I believe our data from the ALS Phase I is showing measurable improvements in key areas of those afflicted and may be proven to be a treatment for ALS."

What is the credit market like?

Dr. Harel: "It has been difficult to engage in terms that are not burdensome to goals. It is a fine line to ensure solvency, manage dilution and move our clinical trials forward as expeditiously as possible. I was able to arrange favorable terms early this summer and closed in July on a $5.7 million Public Offering.We have been successful with securing non-dilutive grants.Since coming to Brainstorm in January, I have raised over $10 million."

What is next for Brainstorm?

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Stem Cell Media Interview With Dr. Adrian Harel: Fighting to End ALS, Once and for All

VistaGen Therapeutics Becomes Member of Centre for Commercialization of Regenerative Medicine (CCRM) Consortium

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CA--(Marketwire - Dec 3, 2012) - VistaGen Therapeutics, Inc. ( OTCBB : VSTA ), a biotechnology company applying stem cell technology for drug rescue, predictive toxicology and drug metabolism screening, has formalized its membership in the Toronto-based Centre for Commercialization of Regenerative Medicine's (CCRM) Industry Consortium.

"VistaGen's membership reflects our strong association with CCRM and its core programs and objectives, both directly and through our strategic relationships with Dr. Gordon Keller and the University Health Network (UHN).Our long-term sponsored research agreement with Dr. Keller, UHN and UHN's McEwen Centre for Regenerative Medicine offers both a solid foundation and unique opportunities for expanding the commercial applications of our Human Clinical Trials in a Test Tube platform by building multi-party collaborations with CCRM and members of its Industry Consortium," says Shawn Singh, VistaGen CEO. "These collaborations have the potential to transform medicine and accelerate significant advances in human health and wellness that stem cell technologies and regenerative medicine promise."

"Even before VistaGen joined CCRM's Industry Consortium it was active in the Toronto regenerative medicine community and advising us as we prepared to launch in 2011," explains Dr. Michael May, CEO of the Centre for Commercialization of Regenerative Medicine. "I'm confident that our relationship will grow stronger with VistaGen as a formal partner and I look forward to us working closely together on projects that will accelerate drug discovery and benefit patients."

CCRM is a not-for-profit, public-private consortium funded by the Government of Canada, six Ontario-based institutional partners and more than 20 companies representing the key sectors of the regenerative medicine industry. CCRM supports the development of foundational technologies that accelerate the commercialization of stem cell- and biomaterials-based products and therapies. Other members of CCRM's Industry Consortium include such leading global companies as Pfizer, GE Healthcare and Lonza.

The industry leaders that comprise the CCRM consortium benefit from proprietary access to certain licensing opportunities, academic rates on fee-for-service contracts at CCRM and opportunities to participate in large collaborative projects, among other advantages.VistaGen is especially well positioned through its existing relationships with key members.

Gordon Keller, Ph.D. is Director of the McEwen Centre for Regenerative Medicine at UHN. A CCRM partner, the McEwen Centre is a world-renowned centre for stem cell biology and regenerative medicine and a world-class stem cell research facility. He is also a Professor at the University of Toronto in the Department of Medical Biophysics and Senior Scientist of the Ontario Cancer Institute in Toronto.Dr. Keller's lab is one of the world leaders in successfully applying principles from the study of developmental biology of many animal systems to the differentiation of pluripotent stem cell systems, resulting in reproducible, high-yield production of human heart, liver, blood and vascular cells.The results and procedures developed in Dr. Keller's lab are often quoted and used by academic scientists worldwide.

UHN, a major landmark in Canada's healthcare system, is one of the world's largest research hospitals, with major research in transplantation, cardiology, neurosciences, oncology, surgical innovation, infectious diseases and genomic medicine. Providing care to the community for more than two centuries, UHN brings together the talent and resources needed to achieve global impact and provide exemplary patient care, research and education.

About VistaGen Therapeutics

VistaGen is a biotechnology company applying human pluripotent stem cell technology for drug rescue, predictive toxicology and drug metabolism screening. VistaGen's drug rescue activities combine its human pluripotent stem cell technology platform, Human Clinical Trials in a Test Tube, with modern medicinal chemistry to generate new chemical variants (Drug Rescue Variants) of once-promising small-molecule drug candidates. These are drug candidates discontinued by pharmaceutical companies, the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) or university laboratories after substantial investment and development due to heart or liver toxicity or metabolism issues. VistaGen uses its pluripotent stem cell technology to generate early indications, or predictions, of how humans will ultimately respond to new drug candidates before they are ever tested in humans, bringing human biology to the front end of the drug development process.

Additionally, VistaGen's small molecule drug candidate, AV-101, is completing Phase 1 development for treatment of neuropathic pain. Neuropathic pain, a serious and chronic condition causing pain after an injury or disease of the peripheral or central nervous system, affects millions of people worldwide.To date, VistaGen has been awarded over $8.5 million from the NIH for development of AV-101.

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VistaGen Therapeutics Becomes Member of Centre for Commercialization of Regenerative Medicine (CCRM) Consortium

Stem cell-derived dopaminergic neurons rescue motor defects in Parkinsonian monkeys

ScienceDaily (Dec. 3, 2012) Researchers have derived dopaminergic neurons from bone marrow stem cells in monkeys.

Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system that is characterized by tremors, rigidity, slowness of movement, and difficulty walking. It is caused by loss of the neurons that produce the neurotransmitter dopamine (known as dopaminergic neurons). One of the primary goals in Parkinson's disease research is to develop a replacement for dopaminergic neurons.

In a new study, researchers led by Takuya Hayashi at the RIKEN Center for Molecular Imaging Science in Kobe, Japan, derived dopaminergic neurons from bone marrow stem cells in monkeys. The cells were retrieved during a standard bone marrow aspiration and then treated with growth factors that directed the stem cells to become dopaminergic neurons. The monkeys that donated the stem cells were treated with a chemical to induce Parkinson's disease and then received a transplant of the new dopaminergic neurons that had been derived from their own bone marrow stem cells. Monkeys that received the transplant showed significant improvement in motor defects.

This study demonstrates that dopaminergic neurons derived from adult bone marrow stem cells can be safely used to improve motor function in Parkinson's disease in monkeys.

The research is published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.

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Stem cell-derived dopaminergic neurons rescue motor defects in Parkinsonian monkeys

UA professor furthers stem cell research

By SARAH-JAYNE SIMON Published December 2, 2012 at 9:46pm Updated December 2, 2012 at 9:46pm

A UA professor has been recognized for his work as a pioneer in stem cell banking.

David Harris, professor of immunobiology, was awarded the Arizona BioIndustry Association 2012 award for 20 Years of Discovery and Innovation.

Harris recognition is the culmination of decades of work in the field of stem cell research. Harris came to the UA 23 years ago from the University of North Carolina and said he was interested in improving the bone marrow transplant process. As a result, he began to use a process called cord blood banking. In 1991, Harris became the first person to bank stem cells for future use, which includes saving them for future treatments.

Its nice to end up being recognized for something that you have worked on for a long time, Harris said. Taking something and making it important for everyday life for people to improve their life is amazing. From starting with animal models and moving to human beings is huge; its nice to see it go from one point to another.

Harris said he banked stem cells for future use by preserving his first childs cord blood stem cells. A year later, Harris founded the Arizona Cord Blood Bank, which later became the Cord Blood Registry. Harris continues to serve as Chief Science Officer of the company, which is the largest cord blood stem cell bank in the world.

I had always been interested in science and particularly in biological sciences, Harris said. I was quite interested in sciences in general and got my degree in immunology. The general interest in science has always been there since an early age. Stem cells is the one I find to be most interesting these days.

The Arizona BioIndustry Association is made up of businesses as well as research and government organizations and those associated with other professions involved in biosciences. The annual Arizona BioIndustry Association Awards was held at the Phoenix Convention Center this year.

In the late 1980s, it was discovered that you could find left over blood cells in the umbilical cord after the baby was born, Harris said. Early on, we realized this was going to be an important source of stem cell transplant. After 15 years, we realized those stem cells present in umbilical cords had gone from the research stage into the treatment process.

Harris said that the support from the UA community during the progress of his reasearch is what enabled him to come this far.

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UA professor furthers stem cell research

Seeing results from stem cell treatment

Christine Wood/Photo

Alison Johnstone kisses and hugs her grandson Rylan who is showing signs of improvement after receiving stem cell treatments in China last month.

Christine Wood/Staff Writer

Since returning home from having stem cell treatments in China last month, five-year-old Rylan Johnstone has taken his first unaided steps, given his first hug, spoken his first complete sentence and shown his first reaction to light much to the delight of his family.

We are absolutely overjoyed with the changes weve noticed already, said Rylans grandma Alison. Even if thats all that happens, it was definitely worth it to go, but I think there are more changes to come.

The family spent nearly a year fundraising more than $34,000 for the trip to China to have the stem cell treatments done in the hope that Rylan, who is blind and autistic, would gain some sight and mobility and benefit from reduced autism symptoms.

It seems much of that wish list has come true just weeks after returning from China, and the stem cells will keep working, Alison said.

The stem cell injections in his eyes should keep working for at least six months, she said, noting one report from a parent showed a child gaining sight a year after the stem cell treatments.

Rylan seems to squint now when a bright light is put before him, and although he cant communicate whats happening, the Johnstones are hopeful hell show more signs of sight in the weeks to come.

One of the best moments for Alison was when she got her first hug from her grandson, shortly after returning home.

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Seeing results from stem cell treatment