24th Dec 2007 08:00
Stem Cell Sciences plc24 December 2007 Press Release Stem Cell Sciences Enters into Diabetes R&D Agreement with Major Pharmaceutical Company ("Stem Cell Sciences", "SCS") 24 December 2007 Cambridge, U.K. - Stem Cell Sciences plc (AIM: STEM, ASX: STC) the globalbiotechnology company focused on the commercialization of stem cells and stemcell technologies in research, today announced the signing of a contractresearch agreement with a major biopharmaceutical company. Under the terms ofthe agreement Stem Cell Sciences will validate its suite of cell processingtechnologies for the scaled, automated production of human embryonic stem cells(ES) and demonstrate the bulk production of cells relevant for diabetes researchat the Company's Cambridge based production facility. Financial terms were notdisclosed and the client company has requested anonymity. In addition to providing contract production services, Stem Cell Sciences willprovide an option to an exclusive license for the use of its Rho kinaseinhibitor technology (ROCKi) in the field of human ES production of cells fordiabetes research. "We are delighted that our advanced, automated stem cell production is beingvalidated by this deal. This agreement, which will focus on the proof of conceptfor production of cells for research purposes, is further recognition of ourcompetence in the culture and manipulation of stem cells and we anticipateexciting opportunities in the future to further demonstrate compliance of theprocess for production of clinical grade cells," commented Dr. Alastair J.Riddell, Chief Executive Officer, Stem Cell Sciences. The program of work in the contract research agreement will utilise a number ofStem Cell Sciences' own human ES lines derived with regulatory approval andunder license in their Melbourne based research facility at Monash Universitycampus. Dr. Paul Bello, Research Program manager, who leads the teamcharacterising the stem cell lines commented "The company has been workingproductively to develop a number of commercial reagents and processes for theimproved isolation and growth of human ES cell lines and to close this agreementwith a major biopharmaceutical company represents a satisfactory validation ofour approach." Stem Cell Sciences intends to seek similar agreements in the future withbiopharmaceutical companies as the field of stem cell-based therapeutics expandsto include treatment for many degenerative diseases and for which a clean, safe,scalable production platform of cells will be a necessity. -Ends- - For further information, please contact: Stem Cell Sciences plc (United Kingdom) +44 1223 499161Dr. Alastair Riddell, CEOHalsin Partners +44 207 084 5955Mike SinclairStem Cell Sciences (Australia) pty ltd +61 3 9905 0600Dr. Paul Bello, Research Program ManagerTalk Biotech +61 422 206036Fay WestonStem Cell Sciences llc (USA) +1 415 495 7340George Murphy, Vice President Business Development Notes to Editors ABOUT STEM CELL SCIENCES: Stem 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), Melbourne (Australia) and San Francisco (USA). This global reachprovides the Company with the direct access to markets through experiencedpersonnel and local business networks needed to drive SCS business growth ineach 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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