14th Jun 2006 18:00
Stem Cell Sciences plc14 June 2006 14 June 2006 (Stem Cell Sciences plc., AIM: STEM) Stem Cell pioneers confirm patents pending for two dramatic advances in the efficiency of cloning stem Cells Stem Cell Sciences plc (SCS), the first scientific team to prove therapeuticcloning is possible in mammalian species, today acknowledged two reports, byacademic scientists from the University of Edinburgh and Massachusetts Instituteof Technology (MIT), which validate proprietary SCS technologies for improvingthe efficiency of therapeutic cloning, or so-called "cell reprogramming". In a significant report, published in today's edition June 14th of the journalNature, Professor Austin Smith and colleagues at the University of Edinburghconclusively demonstrate that the candidate pluripotency gene "Nanog", namedafter Tir nan Og the mythological Celtic land of the ever young, can indeed playa dominant role in reprogramming tissue cells into an embryonic stem cell statewithout the need for generating an embryo. Dr Mountford, Chief Executive Officer of SCS, the exclusive licensees of thetechnology, said, "This very exciting research demonstrates the speed with whichSCS cell reprogramming technology is developing and further validates thegrowing asset base SCS holds in the field of human cell-based regenerativemedicines. It represents a major step forward towards reprogramming adult cellswithout the need to make human embryos". The University of Edinburgh discovery comes hot on the heals of anothersignificant cloning break through, published by MIT researchers working incollaboration with Professor Smith's team, in the May 2006 edition of thejournal Stem Cells. This earlier report demonstrates that another exclusivelylicensed SCS technology, the recently announced Neural Stem (NS) cell,dramatically improves to levels as high as 50% -100% the efficiency of derivingnew embryonic stem cell lines via reprogramming through the production ofembryos as per Dolly the sheep. Commenting on the research, Dr. Peter Mountford President and CEO of SCS, said"The radical improvement in the efficiency of cloning new stem cell lines fromnormal body cells will no doubt fuel research efforts to show that therapeuticcloning is achievable for human cells. While SCS is not pursuing this objective,we do expect that this validation of our technology will generate newout-licensing opportunities for SCS with companies wishing to use the cells toengineer animal models of human disease". - Ends - For further information, please contact: Stem Cell Sciences plc (Edinburgh, UK)Peter Mountford, Chief Executive + 44 131 662 9829 Weber Shandwick Square Mile (London, UK) +44 207 067 0700James White Weber Shandwick Worldwide (San Francisco, USA) +1 415 248 3433Miriam Mason Notes to Editors: Stem Cell Sciences plc (SCS) is a global biotechnology company focused on thedevelopment of stem cell technologies. The Company has established a leadingintellectual property (IP) and technology portfolio that enables the commercialapplication of stem cells in pharmaceutical and biotechnology drug discovery,providing the Company with an early-stage revenue stream. In the longer term,the Company is developing regenerative, cell-based therapies. Stem Cell Sciences has four business units focused on key sustainable businessstrategies. SC Proven provides serum free, cell culture media (liquid formulations) andreagents that enable the growth and differentiation of stem cells for basicresearch and drug discovery purposes. The first commercially available product,a mouse embryonic stem cell growth medium, has been exclusively licensed formanufacture and marketing to Chemicon, a division of Serologicals Inc.SC Licensing licenses SCS proprietary technologies, such as Internal RibosomeEntry Site (IRES) and Stem Cell Selection, for application in laboratory-basedresearch and discovery. Current licenses for IRES are in place with Pfizer, GSK,Sanofi Aventis, Deltagen Inc. Lexicon Genetics Inc and others.SC Services will provide specialised stem cell production for basic research anddrug discovery, including high-throughput applications.SC Therapies goal is to develop safe and effective cell-based therapies forcurrently incurable diseases. The first programme is being undertaken by SCS'Japanese affiliate, which recently announced the exclusive licensing of humanmultipotent tissue stem cells (hMADS) for therapeutic purposes. SCS KK plans toconduct initial preclinical studies to evaluate their potential application inthe treatment of Duchene's Muscular Dystrophy. SCS plc is a global Company with operations in the UK, Australia, and via itsassociate company in Japan. Each company is affiliated with a regional centre ofacademic excellence facilitating the global commercialisation of new IP and celllines. These include the Institute of Stem Cell Research (ISCR), Edinburgh, UK,RIKEN Centre for Development Biology, Kobe, Japan and the Australian Stem CellCentre, Melbourne, Australia. SCS, which listed on the London Alternative Investment Market (AIM: STEM) inJuly 2005, was founded in 1994 to commercialise findings from the ISCR andMonash University, Melbourne, Australia. The Company is a participant in tworesearch projects under the European Union's Framework Six Programme forResearch and Technology Development and is a contributor to the UK Stem CellInitiative. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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