Notes from The Chairman Concerning ISCO Price Fluctuations
By Dr. Matthew Watson
As best we can determine, Patrick Cox, who has been and continues to be a strong supporter of our company, was required yesterday by his publisher to cease coverage of our stock and issue a sell recommendation because he has an equity interest in a company with which we do business that could have been perceived as a conflict of interest. That has resulted in numerous negative comments on investor message boards that referred to the sell recommendation without giving the background or a full explanation. As a result, I felt it was important that we put the day's events into proper context. The following are what I believe to be the relevant excerpts from Patrick's article:
As you know, I've been a huge promoter of International Stem Cell Corp.'s (OTCBB: ISCO) parthenogenic stem cell technology. I've not only told you about the company, but I appeared on John Mauldin's podcast show with ISCO board chairman Ken Aldrich about six months ago. Aldrich and Mauldin subsequently became friends and found that their organizations were a perfect fit for marketing ISCO's cosmeceutical skin care product.
John Mauldin asked me to be a part of that organization. We looked hard at Agora Financial's policies as well as applicable SEC regulations and concluded that there would be no conflict of interest because the position gave me no direct interest in ISCO or its stock price....
My publisher, however, has grown increasingly uncomfortable with this arrangement. The reason is not that Agora Financial believes that there would be an actual conflict of interest. Rather, it is that it might be perceived as one by some, in particular SEC lawyers....
My publisher's trading policy's aim, however, is to keep me purely objective and disinterested. This policy is debatable, but I respect it. My only option, therefore, is to issue a sell order or face the wrath of a disappointed spouse.
You can probably guess what that means. I'm going to have to issue a sell order.
Just to re-iterate, now that I've seen the price action from this afternoon's sell alert, I'm not parting with the shares of International Stem Cell Corp. (OTCBB: ISCO) because I believe they are a bad investment (my feelings, as you probably know, are quite the opposite)...ISCO still has the transformational potential that I've told you about. The only real change is that I won't be able to update you from here on out -- due to an over abundance of caution from my publisher.
Obviously, we can't know for certain if these articles caused the price movement yesterday, but we believe they were a major factor. Moreover, the comments and the response of investors to them are beyond our control, but we do want to reassure all interested parties that there is no information of which we are aware to justify the price fluctuation that occurred yesterday.
I hope this will prove helpful.
Sincerely,
Ken Aldrich
Chairman
Statements pertaining to anticipated developments, the potential benefits of collaborations, affiliations, 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 and the management of collaborations, 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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- UCLA Snags $3.6 Million from California Stem Cell Agency - September 1st, 2013
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- UCLA Takes Four of 13 Awards Today; One Business Wins - September 1st, 2013
- $41 Million in California Stem Cell Grants Virtually Approved - September 1st, 2013
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- Skin in California’s Stem Cell Game - September 1st, 2013
- California Stem Cell Agency's $150,000 Search for Its Financial Future - August 25th, 2013
- California Stem Cell Researchers to Receive $70 Million Next Week - August 25th, 2013
- Flim-Flam Stem Cell Artists Targeted by CIRM - August 25th, 2013
- California Stem Cell Agency Spending: Where the Money Is Going - August 25th, 2013
- A $2 Million Bill: Outside Contracting by California Stem Cell Agency - August 25th, 2013
- New Ties to Big Pharma and Venture Capital Proposed at California Stem Cell Agency - August 25th, 2013
- Bonilla: Veto of Pay-for-Eggs Bill Shows Troubling Mindset - August 18th, 2013
- 'Butter and Eggs Money" and a Gubernatorial Veto - August 18th, 2013
- California Gov. Jerry Brown Vetoes Pay-for-Eggs Legislation - August 18th, 2013
- A $6 Billion Question: Progress of the California Stem Cell Agency - August 18th, 2013
- Duane Roth: Ecumenical Innovator for San Diego and Biotech - August 18th, 2013
- Stem Cell Agency's Duane Roth Eulogized at Memorial Services - August 18th, 2013
- 'Paradigm Shift' -- Researchers as Patient Advocates? - August 18th, 2013
- California Stem Cell Agency on Lacks: Informed Consent Cannot Remove All Questions - August 11th, 2013
- Californians Top List of Stem Cell Honorees - August 11th, 2013
- The Henrietta Lacks Story and Eggs, Money and Motherhood - August 11th, 2013
- Skloots, Collins and More on Henrietta Lacks' Cell Line Deal - August 11th, 2013
- Memorial Services Friday for Duane Roth, Co-vice chairman of the California Stem Cell Agency - August 11th, 2013
- CIRM's Roth Dies Following Bike Accident - August 11th, 2013
- Pay-for-Eggs Legislation Now Before California Gov. Jerry Brown - August 4th, 2013
- Comment re Pay-for-Eggs Item and Forbes Article - August 4th, 2013
- Pay-for-Eggs Legislation: A Comment on Risk - August 4th, 2013
- Skimpy Coverage of Alpha Clinic Concept Approval - August 4th, 2013
- California Stem Cell Agency Looking for New Home in Two Years - August 4th, 2013
- California Stem Cell Official Duane Roth in Improving Condition - July 28th, 2013
- Another $23 Million to Recruit Star Stem Cell Scientists to California - July 28th, 2013
- California Stem Cell Agency Launches $70 Million Alpha Stem Cell Clinic Project - July 28th, 2013
- Coming Up: Live Coverage of Today's California Stem Cell Meeting - July 28th, 2013
- Stem Cell Lines and Paid-for Eggs: Stem Cell Agency Delays Action on Easing Restrictions - July 28th, 2013
- $70 Million Alpha Stem Cell Clinic Project Garners Mainstream Media Attention - July 28th, 2013
- UCLA Researcher Calls for Easing of Restrictions on Stem Cell Lines Derived from Eggs From Paid Providers - July 28th, 2013
- California Stem Cell Agency to Commit 20 Percent of Remaining Cash - July 21st, 2013
- Paying for Human Eggs, Ivan Illich and Jerry Brown - July 21st, 2013
- California's $70 Million 'Alpha' Stem Cell Clinic Plan Headed for Approval Next Week - July 21st, 2013
- TV News Piece on Pay-for-Eggs Airs in Los Angeles, San Francisco - July 14th, 2013
- Shestack Resignation Letter: Heartfelt and Eloquent - July 14th, 2013
- Veto Campaign Launched on California Pay-For-Eggs Bill - July 14th, 2013
- Sacramento Mental Health Advocate Appointed to Stem Cell Agency Board - July 14th, 2013
- California Stem Cell Merger: Capricor and Niles Therapeutics - July 14th, 2013
- Pay-for-Eggs Legislation: Strange Bedfellows and Existential Questions - July 14th, 2013
- "Comfort News" for California's Stem Cell Research Effort - July 14th, 2013
- HIV Clinical Trial Hailed by California Stem Cell Agency - July 14th, 2013
- Eggs and Cash: Stem Cell Agency Considering Easing Restrictions on Stem Cell Lines Derived Using Payments - July 14th, 2013
- California Legislation Removing Ban on Payments for Eggs for Research Heads to Governor - July 14th, 2013
- California Legislation, Human Egg Sales and Profits - July 7th, 2013
- Challenge to WARF hESC Patents Cites Recent U.S. Supreme Court Decision - July 7th, 2013
- Cost of a Stem Cell Therapy? An Estimated $512,000 - June 30th, 2013
- Bluebird and Banking: Media Pluses for California Stem Cell Agency - June 30th, 2013
- International team submits IND application - June 23rd, 2013
- Pay-For-Eggs Legislation Draws More Media Attention - June 23rd, 2013
- Compensation for Human Eggs Approved by Key California Senate Committee, But Not For CIRM Researchers - June 16th, 2013
- Merksamer Makes Only Bid For Stem Cell Agency Lobbying Contract - June 16th, 2013
- Cellular Dynamics: California Stem Cell Agency Recipient Plans $57 Million IPO - June 9th, 2013
- Light Coverage of Cellular Dynamics IPO But One Exec Says It's Good for Stem Cell Biz - June 9th, 2013
- Pomeroy on Doing the Right Thing and Foster Care - June 9th, 2013
- Vatican Funding for California Stem Cell Agency? - June 2nd, 2013
- Bluebird bio of Massachusetts Still Waiting for California Stem Cell Money - June 2nd, 2013
- California's Alpha Stem Cell Clinics: Open in 2014, Six to Eight Locations - June 2nd, 2013
- Monterey Newspaper Chides California Stem Cell Agency - June 2nd, 2013
- Trounson Proposes $70 Million, Fast-Track Stem Cell Clinic Plan for California - June 2nd, 2013
- $70 Million Alpha Stem Cell Clinic Proposal Draws Reader Comment - June 2nd, 2013
- Sacramento Bee: Ongoing Conflict Problems No Help for Future Funding of Stem Cell Agency - June 2nd, 2013
- Multimillion Dollar Carrots for Stem Cell Research in California - May 26th, 2013
- California Stem Cell Agency: 5 Percent Budget Increase for Coming Fiscal Year - May 26th, 2013
- $36 Million Recruitment: Names of Researchers Being Lured to California - May 26th, 2013
- Stem Cell Agency Approves $36 million to Recruit Six Scientists to California - May 26th, 2013
- California Stem Cell Agency to Court Patient Groups This Summer - May 26th, 2013
- Nature Reports on Lee Hood Conflict Case - May 26th, 2013
- Grant Reviewer Conflict in $40 Million Round at California Stem Cell Agency - May 26th, 2013
- Text of CIRM Comments on Lee Hood Questions - May 26th, 2013
- Replicating Oregon Cloning in California: Views on the Legality - May 19th, 2013
- Oregon-style Stem Cell Cloning Research Illegal in California: No Pay for Eggs in Golden State - May 19th, 2013
- Weissman Says Oregon-style Stem Cell Research Could be Done in California - May 19th, 2013