19th Jun 2007 07:02
Stem Cell Sciences plc19 June 2007 Stem Cell Sciences in-licenses breakthrough discovery for the production of human stem cellS ("Stem Cell Sciences", "SCS") 19 June 2007 Stem Cell Sciences plc (SCS, AIM:STEM, ASX:STC), the global biotechnologycompany focused on the commercialisation of stem cells and stem celltechnologies, is pleased to announce the exclusive in-licensing of abreakthrough technology. This is expected to significantly accelerate theapplication of human embryonic stem (ES) cells in both research and cell-basedtherapies. This discovery overcomes the key challenge in the effective scale-upof stem cell technologies - cell death. When separated from one another, duringtransfer from one growth vessel to another in routine laboratory processes suchas scale-up and genetic modification, human ES cells commonly undergo celldeath. The use of a selective ROCK inhibitor to increase the robustness of thecells will allow for the large-scale automated production that is needed forindustrial research and clinical application. SCS has secured exclusive rightsto the discovery in all global territories except Japan where the company holdsnon-exclusive rights. Financial terms were not disclosed. The discovery, made by Professor Yoshiki Sasai's team at The Institute ofPhysical and Chemical Research of the RIKEN Centre for Developmental Biology(Kobe, Japan), uses a class of compounds known as ROCK (Rho-associated kinase)inhibitors to block the onset of stem cell death when the clusters of growingcells are dissociated for transfer and scale-up. This discovery, published on27th May in Volume 25 of the prestigious journal Nature Biotechnology* waseffective on all human ES cell lines tested. The discovery represents a worldfirst in terms of stem cell technology. Dr Peter Mountford, Chief Executive Officer of SCS said: "We anticipate thatthis discovery will have a very positive impact across the human ES cell field.The RIKEN discovery will not only transform human ES cell production but willalso enhance our ability to engineer human ES cell lines needed by thepharmaceutical industry for specific drug discovery assays. In commercial terms,it will build revenues for SCS through new and improved human ES cell culturemedia and cell-based drug discovery products, as well as further strengtheningour longer term position in cell based therapies." David Dodd, Chairman of SCS said: "Our business is to provide products, toolsand services that advance the life-enhancing value capable of being achievedfrom stem cell biology. It is our goal to continue to source leading edgetechnologies to constantly improve and diversify the products that researchersneed to deliver maximum clinical benefit in the shortest possible time frames.We're delighted to have concluded this agreement with the RIKEN Centre forDevelopmental Biology and are now preparing for the rapid dissemination of thisvaluable technology throughout the medical research community." - Ends - For further information, please contact: Stem Cell Sciences plc (United Kingdom)Hugh Ilyine, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer +44 131 662 9829Joe Mee, SC ProvenTM Business Unit Manager and Senior Scientist Weber Shandwick FinancialLouise Robson or James White +44 207 067 0700 Stem Cell Sciences (Australia) pty ltdPeter Mountford, President and CEO +61 3 9905 0608Paul Bello, Scientific Program Manager Talk BiotechFay Weston +61 4 2220 6036 Stem Cell Sciences llc (USA)David Dodd, Chairman of SCS plc +1 678 641 4029George Murphy, Vice President Business Development +1 415 495 7340 References: * A ROCK inhibitor permits survival of dissociated human embryonic stem cellsKiichi Watanabe, Morio Ueno, Daisuke Kamiya, Ayaka Nishiyama, Michiru Matsumura,Takafumi Wataya, Jun B Takahashi, Satomi Nishikawa, Shin-ichi Nishikawa, KeikoMuguruma, Yoshiki Sasai, Nature Biotechnology 25, 681 - 686 (2007), advanceonline publication, DOI:10.1038/nbt1310 RIKEN Centre for Developmental Biologyhttp://www.cdb.riken.jp/en/index.htmlhttp://www.cdb.riken.jp/en/04_news/articles/070528_rockhes.html Notes to EditorsStem Cell Sciences plc (SCS, AIM: STEM, ASX: STC) is a global biotechnologycompany providing the biological infrastructure of cells and cell culture mediato the burgeoning stem cell research market. Stem Cell Sciences' core objective is to develop safe and effective cell-basedtherapies for currently incurable diseases. SCS retains all rights to itstechnology for therapeutic use and is targeting cell-based therapies forneurodegenerative disease and injury. Revenues from Stem Cell Sciences' research business are delivered via anintegrated network of business teams and regional offices in Edinburgh andCambridge (UK), Kobe (Japan), Melbourne (Australia) and San Francisco (USA).This global reach provides the Company with the direct access to markets throughexperienced personnel and local business networks needed to drive SCS businessgrowth in each region. The key challenge for the successful application of stem cells in both researchand clinical applications is the reproducible supply of pure, fullycharacterized stem cells and stem cell-derived specialised cells such as nervesand muscle. This represents a significant technological challenge that willrequire access to multiple technologies and a globally integrated stem cellinitiative. To access cutting edge technologies on a rapid and on-going basis, Stem CellSciences has built an exceptional network of highly interactive collaborationswith academic centres of excellence in the stem cell field. These collaborationshave been the source of our founding technologies and continue to provide anexpanding pipeline of products and intellectual property that are central to theCompany's strategy and success. To facilitate research and technology transfer with its major collaboratingacademic institutions, Stem Cell Sciences' business and scientific teams areusually co-located on site or adjacent to the centre of excellence inindependent company facilities. The Company's key collaborating institutesinclude the Wellcome Trust Centre for Stem Cell Research (University ofCambridge), the Institute of Stem Cell Research (University of Edinburgh), RIKENCentre for Developmental Biology (Kobe) and the Australian Stem Cell Centre(Melbourne). Academic and commercial use of stem cells in basic research and drug discoveryprovides the Company with immediate and growing revenue streams and offsets thecost of technology development for full scale cell production of SCS cell-basedtherapeutics. For further information on the company please visit:www.stemcellsciences.com This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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