International Stem Cell Corp. Chairman Kenneth Aldrich Comments on Recent TIME Article “A Stem Cell First: Using the ‘Dolly’ Method on Human Cells”

By Dr. Matthew Watson

“Since we at International Stem Cell Corporation (trading symbol: ISCO.OB) are licensees of some of the key intellectual property necessary to use SCNT in therapeutic products, we were delighted to read about this new discovery. However, what disappointed us somewhat was the failure of most news reports to mention that a technology already exists that solves the same ethical problems and has the potential also to solve many of the problems of immune rejection that worry scientists who are working with cells obtained from fertilized embryos.

That technology is called "Parthenogenesis" and results in a "cell line" that can provide an essentially unlimited supply of human cells for a wide range of therapeutic purposes, yet does not involve the destruction of any fertilized embryo and results in cells that can be matched to large groups of people who may not even know the patient, much like the way blood from donors can be stored and used by accident victims as needed. Unlike the SCNT cells, parthenogenetic cells require no genetic manipulation or insertion of foreign DNA.

Our scientists at ISCO created and patented the process for making such human parthenogenetic stem cell lines and have already successfully made liver cells, cornea cells, retina cells and nerve cells from those cell lines. Each of these applications is being studied as a possible future source of transplanted cells to treat diseases such as Parkinson's, Liver Disease, Macular Degeneration, and others.

To learn more about parthenogenesis, visit our website at http://www.internationalstemcell.com or click on ISCO.OB at any financial web site for information about our company.”

Kenneth C. Aldrich

Chairman

International Stem Cell Corporation

TIME Article – A Stem Cell First: Using the 'Dolly' Method on Human Cells

http://healthland.time.com/2011/10/05/a-stem-cell-first-using-the-dolly-method-on-human-cells/

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 http://www.internationalstemcell.com.

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