| International Stem Cell (OTCBB:ISCO), www.internationalstemcell.com, announced today it has entered into an exclusive distribution agreement with Germany-based CellSystems Biotechnologie Vertrieb GmbH, "CellSystems," to distribute its "Lifeline" brand of living human cell and cell culture research products throughout Europe. International Stem Cell Corporation, "ISCO," is a California company that has developed, for the first time under controlled conditions, human stem cell lines that promise to eliminate the rejection of transplanted cells by the patient's immune system. ISCO's technology, Parthenogenesis, results in the creation of pluripotent human stem cell lines (called phESC) from unfertilized human eggs without the transfer of foreign DNA. This new methodology offers the potential to create the first true "Stem Cell Bank" and also addresses critical ethical issues by eliminating the need to use fertilized embryos. ISCO also produces and sells specialized cells and growth media worldwide for therapeutic research. ISCO's human cell and cell culture research products are manufactured under the "Lifeline" brand by wholly-owned subsidiary Lifeline Cell Technology, LLC, based in Walkersville, Maryland (www.lifelinecelltech.com). "CellSystems is a highly respected name in the European life sciences community, with a well established distribution channel that will provide ISCO with immediate sales and marketing capabilities for human primary cell products, including media and the Lifeline brand of stem cell products to the European scientific community," said Jeff Krstich, CEO of ISCO. "This agreement marks the accomplishment of yet another important milestone in ISCO's strategic plan to become the primary provider and manufacturer of high quality human cells, including stem cells, to the research and therapeutic markets," he continued. "We have worked with the Lifeline staff and know their abilities to consistently produce high quality products, a critical factor for researchers that depend on human cells for the success of their research," said Horst W Fuchs, president of CellSystems Biotechnologie. "This agreement between our companies opens a distribution channel for ISCO's Lifeline branded products to scientific researchers throughout Europe." "We are very pleased with our growing relationship with CellSystems. Their experience and knowledge in the sales and distribution of human cells and reagents is extensive, as are their relationships with customers throughout Europe," said Jeffrey Janus, president of ISCO. "While the sale of these Lifeline stem cell and research products provides ISCO immediate cash flow, it also helps embed ISCO's products into successful therapeutic procedures worldwide, potentially enhancing a revenue stream of shared royalties beyond traditional sales," added Krstich. ABOUT CELLSYSTEMS: CellSystems®, founded in Germany in 1992 as a sales and marketing organization, is one of the main providers of selected high quality and innovative cell culture products to the life sciences community. For more than 15 years, CellSystems® has provided the Life Science community with the most sophisticated cell biology products available. Their core competency in Human Primary Cells and adult Stem Cells has resulted in the development of three dimensional skin cell models which are used as alternative methods to animal testing in the field of Skin Corrosion, Skin Irritation, Skin Sensitization, Genotoxicity and Phototoxicity. CellSystems also provides cell models for Angionenesis, Blood-Brain-Barrier and Inhalation Toxicology. Visit the CellSystems web site at: www.cellsystems.biz. ABOUT INTERNATIONAL STEM CELL CORPORATION: International Stem Cell is a biotechnology company currently focused on developing therapeutic and research products. In the area of therapeutic product development, ISCO's objective is to create an unlimited source of human cells for use in the treatment of several diseases, including diabetes, liver disease and retinal disease through cell transplant therapy. In furtherance of this objective, ISCO has developed pluripotent human stem cells from unfertilized human eggs, and techniques to cause those stem cells to be "differentiated" into the specific cell types required for transplant. It has developed manufacturing protocols to produce the cells minimizing contamination with animal by-products, a characteristic likely to be important in meeting U.S. Food and Drug Administration requirements. ISCO also provides the specialized cells and growth media needed for therapeutic cell transplantation research to academic and commercial researchers in related fields. For more information, visit the ISCO website at: www.internationalstemcell.com. 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Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, risks inherent in the development and/or commercialization of potential products, uncertainty in the results of clinical trials or regulatory approvals, need and ability to obtain future capital, 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 these forward-looking statements. |
