31st Jan 2006 15:40
Stem Cell Sciences plc31 January 2006 For Immediate Release STEM CELL SCIENCES AND THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH ANNOUNCE NEW TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AGREEMENT Edinburgh, U.K., and Melbourne, Australia, 31 January, 2006 - Stem Cell Sciencesplc (AIM: STEM, SCS), a global stem cell company focused on delivering clinicalbenefit through the application of stem cell technologies, today announces atechnology transfer agreement with the University of Edinburgh, which providesthe basis for continued formal collaboration in the area of stem cell research. SCS has collaborated with the University of Edinburgh since 1994 and this newagreement supercedes the original arrangement. All previous patent licensesissued to SCS under the older agreement will remain with SCS. The terms of thenew agreement provide a solid basis for future collaborations between theparties. SCS is continuing its partnership with the University of Edinburgh's Instituteof Stem Cell Research (ISCR) due to its status as a world-leading centre formultidisciplinary research in mammalian stem cell biology and its leading rolein the emergence and development of the field. The ISCR's mission is to acquirethe basic knowledge and understanding of stem cells required for the developmentof regenerative therapies to treat human disease and injury. Among its manypioneering advances is the understanding of how to control self-renewal anddifferentiation of stem cells with a view to specific cell types being used intransplantation and tissue repair. In August 2005 SCS and Edinburgh Universityannounced the granting of an exclusive license that has enabled SCS to deriveand grow neural stem cells for drug discovery and development in neurologicaldiseases such as Parkinsons Disease and Epilepsy. Peter Mountford, Chief Executive Officer of SCS commented, "We are pleased tohave reached a new, mutually beneficial agreement that will help to acceleratethe commercialisation of stem cell technologies. We look forward to a continuedworking relationship and the announcement of new commercialisationopportunities." Professor Grahame Bulfield, Head of the College of Science and Engineering atthe University of Edinburgh, said, "The University of Edinburgh has for the lastdecade been a world leader in stem cell research and has established a goodworking relationship with SCS. We are pleased to sign this new agreement whichwill foster stem cell research and its exploitation to the advantage of both theUniversity and SCS." - Ends - Notes to Editors: Stem Cell Sciences plc (SCS, AIM: STEM) is a global biotechnology company established in Melbourne in1994 to undertake research on embryonic stem cells technologies in order toprovide early patient benefit. SCS has integrated R&D operations in Australia,Japan and UK, each of which is affiliated with an academic centre of excellence.All of the subsidiaries focus and lead in specific aspects of stem cell biology.The company's business model combines near-term revenue-generation, through theapplication of stem cells in drug discovery, with the long-term development of apipeline of cell-based therapies. Stem Cell Sciences listed on the London AIMexchange in July 2005. Contact: Hugh Ilyine, Vice President and COOPhone: +44 (0) 131 662 9829E-mail: [email protected] Weber Shandwick / Square MileYvonne AlexanderPhone: +44 (0) 207 067 0725Email: [email protected] This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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