NEW YORK, Oct. 3, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- National Stem Cell Holding, Inc. (Pink Sheets:NHGI), a biotech company, today announced the completion of a merger with Azurel, Ltd. (Pink Sheets:AZUR). The new company will trade under the name National Stem Cell Holding, Inc. The merger agreement provides for a 37-1 reverse stock split which will take effect upon the commencement of National Stem Cell Holding, Inc. trading. National Stem Cell, Inc., will become a wholly owned subsidiary of National Stem Cell Holding, Inc.
Michael Cohen, CEO of National Stem Cell, says, "We are very excited to complete the merger and look forward to expanding the scope of our research in regenerative medicine."
About National Stem Cell, Inc.
National Stem Cell, Inc. ("NSCI") is a biotechnology company headquartered in New York dedicated to the advancement of regenerative medicine. Incorporated in 2005, NSCI operates the Sperm Bank of New York as a wholly owned subsidiary. Through its sponsored research agreement with the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine's Institute for Cell Engineering ("ICE"), NSCI is focused on the development of potential stem cell therapies for the treatment of diabetes and cardiac injury. The company also plans to develop a genetically diverse umbilical cord blood bank to meet the growing need for transplant grade umbilical cord blood stem cells. For more information, please visit www.nationalstemcell.com.