Stem Cell Clinic

International Stem Cell Corporation to Present Data From Its Parkinson’s Disease Program at Society for Neuroscience …

CARLSBAD, CA--(Marketwired - Jun 27, 2013) - International Stem Cell Corporation (OTCQB: ISCO) (www.internationalstemcell.com) a California-based biotechnology company developing novel stem cell based therapies, announced today that it will present preliminary data from its IND-enabling study in Parkinson's disease at the Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in San Diego, CA on November 10th 2013.

The Society for Neuroscience is the world's largest organization of scientists and clinicians devoted to understanding the brain and nervous system. More than 30,000 people are expected to attend the annual meeting, making it one of the largest scientific and medical conferences in the world.

ISCO's Parkinson's disease program uses human parthenogenetic neural stem cells (hPNSC) which are a novel therapeutic cellular product derived from the company's proprietary histocompatible human pluripotent stem cells. hPNSC are self-renewing mulitpotent cells that are precursors for the major cells of the central nervous system. The ability of hPNSC to (i) differentiate into dopaminergic (DA) neurons and (ii) express neurotrophic factors such as glial derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) to protect the nigrostriatal system, offers a new opportunity for the treatment of Parkinson's disease, especially in cases where current small molecule approaches fail to adequately control the symptoms.

About International Stem Cell CorporationInternational 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, UniStemCell. 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 http://www.internationalstemcell.com.

Forward-looking StatementsStatements pertaining to anticipated developments, the potential benefits of research programs and products, 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, 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.

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International Stem Cell Corporation to Present Data From Its Parkinson's Disease Program at Society for Neuroscience ...

Stem-cell treatment trials give family hope

By Clare Speak

For the Post

Five-year-old Nelly Vadoviov is the first Slovak child to undergo an experimental stem-cell treatment, using stem cells from the umbilical cord blood taken at her birth.

The pioneering treatment is for cerebral palsy and is being conducted during clinical trials at Duke University Hospital in the United States.

Nelly was picked to take part in the trial by the Cord Blood Center (CBC) Group, which coordinates and enables the participation of patients in clinical trials of the treatment as part of a project called Pomocnruka, or Helping Hand.

CBC has centers in six countries including Slovakia and the Czech Republic and works within many Czech maternity hospitals, offering collection and preservation of umbilical cord blood, which are rich in stem cells.

The cells are stored in private banks for future use by the child or relatives. There are high hopes among experts of stem-cell treatment of providing a cure for Cerebral Palsy, among other disorders.

According to CBC, most clinical trials for stem-cell treatment take place outside of Europe, which is why they began their cooperation with the U.S. hospital. So far, some 200 children worldwide have undergone the experimental treatment, most of them from the United States. There have been only a handful of patients from Europe.

"The main purpose of our project is to ensure that umbilical blood will not only be conserved but actively used in healing procedures," said Dr. Miroslav Kube, representing CBC. "Our vision is to secure the widest possible use of stem cells from umbilical blood in accordance with new emerging trends in global medicine care."

More than 150 children between the ages of 6 months and 6 years are involved in the program, and each will receive two injections over two years, one containing cord blood and the other a placebo solution. Nelly had her first injection in May this year, and neither her parents nor her doctors know whether she received the placebo or stem cells this time.

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Stem-cell treatment trials give family hope

Stem cell treatment seen as likely cause of three politicians’ deaths

Three politicians from Mindanao had reportedly died after receiving stem cell treatment in Germany, although it was not established yet if the deaths were directly connected to the treatment, the head of the biggest association of doctors in the country said Monday.

According to Leo Olarte of the Philippine Medical Association (PMA), the politicians may have died due to "anaphylactic shock" following a hypersensitivity reaction to the stem cells from animals, especially sheep.

Anaphylaxis is a deadly allergic reaction that causes difficulty in breathing and sudden drop in blood pressure.

"Kapag ikaw ay nabigyan ng stem cell galing sa tupa, aatakihin ng katawan 'yan kasi ito ay hindi inherent sa katawan... Magkakaroon ng hypersensitivity reaction na magdudulot ng anaphylactic shock sa pasyente," Olarte said in a phone interview with GMA News Online.

He also cited possible death due to delayed graft function, which is a complication after an organ transplantation.

The politicians, who were not identified as requested by their families, had illnesses in the lungs, heart and liver before the treatment, Olarte said.

However, he was quick to add that it has yet to be proven if the stem cell treatment was the real cause of the three politicians' deaths.

"Ito ay mga hearsay pa lang, he said. Baka naman namatay dahil sa kanilang orihinal na sakit."

He said the families of the deceased are coordinating with the National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine National Police for further investigation.

Treatments in hotels

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Stem cell treatment seen as likely cause of three politicians' deaths

Stem cell treatment new frontier

An Australian-based biomedical company has approached sports scientists and doctors, including those at AFL clubs, spruiking contentious ''frontier'' stem cell treatment to help players recover from injury.

The developmental and largely unproven treatment, banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency if it is performance-enhancing, but approved if it is solely for injury purposes, involves fat cells being taken from a player and processed.

These processed stem cells are then injected into the injured tendon or joint, in the hope it stimulates cartilage growth to ease pain.

But at a time when the Essendon and Melbourne football clubs are under investigation for a supplements scandal, allegedly used in part to fast-track recovery for injured players, an AFL medico and club doctors have told Fairfax Media they remain cautious about stem cell treatment.

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They confirmed the company and treatment was known within AFL circles but some said there was little or no proof that it worked.

There have been reports the company, Regeneus, along with other biomedical companies, are willing to provide free treatment in the hope of using that player's rights to help sell the product. This particular treatment costs $9000 and there is no Medicare rebate.

There have also been concerns from sports doctors about safety and whether treatment would endanger players in the long term, for the stem cells may only mask the pain and not heal the injury itself.

''I am just a little bit sceptical about it at the moment,'' one AFL club doctor said. ''It's available to us, and it's a little more expensive, but we have used a couple of other blood-derived products ourselves.''

Another AFL doctor said: ''I would see it as a frontier area for potential treatments. I don't see it playing a role in performance enhancement. It's a form of injury treatment.''

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Stem cell treatment new frontier