NEWARK, Calif., Oct. 10, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- StemCells, Inc. (STEM), the leading stem cell company developing novel cell-based therapeutics for disorders of the central nervous system, announced today that Ann Tsukamoto, Ph.D., Executive Vice President, Scientific and Strategic Alliances at StemCells, will make the keynote address at the Scientific Symposium of the 2013 Stem Cell Meeting on the Mesa, to be held October 14-16 in La Jolla, Calif. In her address, "Human Neural Stem Cells from Discovery to Clinic," Dr. Tsukamoto will describe the compelling preclinical data that underlie the Company's clinical trials targeting disorders in the brain, spinal cord, and eye, and the encouraging early data from these clinical trials. Dr. Tsukamoto is scheduled to speak at 8:05 a.m. Pacific Time on October 16, at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies.

"Harnessing the potential of cell-based therapy presents many challenges," said Dr. Tsukamoto. "We at StemCells have taken a meticulous approach to developing our proprietary neural stem cell technology. We have carefully followed the science, and have generated and published a robust body of scientific data, including a number of preclinical proof-of-principle studies in well-accepted animal models. The early clinical data from a number of our Phase I/II trials is encouraging as the data is beginning to confirm much of what we have seen in the animal models."

Dr. Tsukamoto has been working on stem cells for over 25 years. She joined StemCells in 1998, and under her direction, the Company isolated its proprietary HuCNS-SC(R) cells (purified human neural stem cells) and successfully transitioned into clinical development for a range of CNS indications. Prior to joining the Company, Dr. Tsukamoto was a co-discoverer of the human hematopoietic stem cell and is a named inventor on seven issued US patents.

The Stem Cell Meeting on the Mesa is a three-day conference organized by the Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), and the Alliance for Regenerative Medicine (ARM). The conference is aimed at bringing together senior members of the regenerative medicine industry with the scientific research community to advance stem cell science into cures. The conference's nationally recognized Scientific Symposium, which will be held on October 16, is attended by leading scientists and researchers and will showcase leading academic research in the field of regenerative medicine. The conference's Regen Med Partnering Forum, the only partnering meeting organized specifically for the regenerative medicine and advanced therapies industry, will be held October 14-15. Please visit http://stemcellmeetingonthemesa.com/ for more information.

StemCells, Inc. is a sponsor of the 2013 Stem Cell Meeting on the Mesa.

About StemCells, Inc.

StemCells, Inc. is engaged in the research, development, and commercialization of cell-based therapeutics and tools for use in stem cell-based research and drug discovery. The Company's proprietary HuCNS-SC(R) cells (purified human neural stem cells) are currently in development as a potential treatment for a broad range of central nervous system disorders. In a Phase I clinical trial in Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease (PMD), a fatal myelination disorder in children, the Company has shown preliminary evidence of progressive and durable donor-derived myelination in all four patients transplanted with HuCNS-SC cells. The Company is conducting a Phase I/II clinical trial in chronic spinal cord injury in Switzerland, Canada and the United States, and has reported positive interim data for the first three patients. The Company is also conducting a Phase I/II clinical trial in dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in the United States. In addition, the Company is pursuing preclinical studies in Alzheimer's disease, with support from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM). StemCells also markets stem cell research products, including media and reagents, under the SC Proven(R) brand. Further information about StemCells is available at http://www.stemcellsinc.com.

Apart from statements of historical fact, the text of this press release constitutes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. securities laws, and is subject to the safe harbors created therein. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the clinical development of the Company's HuCNS-SC cells; the Company's ability to commercialize drug discovery and drug development tools; and the future business operations of the Company. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this news release. The Company does not undertake to update any of these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date hereof. Such statements reflect management's current views and are based on certain assumptions that may or may not ultimately prove valid. The Company's actual results may vary materially from those contemplated in such forward-looking statements due to risks and uncertainties to which the Company is subject, including the fact that additional trials will be required to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of the Company's HuCNS-SC cells for the treatment of any disease or disorder; uncertainties regarding the ability of preclinical research, including research in animal models, to accurately predict success or failure in clinical trials; uncertainties regarding the Company's ability to obtain the increased capital resources needed to continue its current and planned research and development operations; uncertainty as to whether HuCNS-SC cells and any products that may be generated in the future in the Company's cell-based programs will prove safe and clinically effective and not cause tumors or other adverse side effects; uncertainties regarding the Company's ability to commercialize a therapeutic product and its ability to successfully compete with other products on the market; and other factors that are described under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 and in its subsequent reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K.

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StemCells, Inc. Executive Vice President Ann Tsukamoto, Ph.D., to Make Keynote Address at 2013 Stem Cell Meeting on ...