Original Article Source - Mass High Tech

Advanced Cell Technology Inc. has been given a patent for its nondestructive technique of obtaining human embryonic stem cell (hESC) lines. Called “single-blastomere” technology, the technique was referred to in a statement by ACT interim chairman and CEO Gary Rabin as “one of the most significant” among the Marlborough biotech’s more than 150 patents and patent applications.

“It will help us accelerate our progress on a number of fronts, including deriving embryonic stem cells which meet the regulatory standards of the European Medicines Agency and the US Food and Drug Administration, using the single-blastomere technology,” Rabin said, in the statement.

ACT (OTCBB: ACTC) said in a news release that its single-blastomere technique avoids embryo destruction by using a one-cell biopsy approach.

In January, the company pulled in a $25 million financing and was cleared by the FDA for its Investigational New Drug application to use hESCs in treating Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

Rabin has been serving in his interim roles at ACT since mid-December, when William M. Caldwell IV, then chairman and CEO, died unexpectedly. Caldwell had held the CEO role of ACT since 2005 and the chairman post since 2006.