NEWARK, Calif., Oct. 30, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- StemCells, Inc. (Nasdaq:STEM) announced today that it has partnered with R Biomedical, an Edinburgh, UK-based biomedical company, to develop and commercialize a range of cell lines and reagents to facilitate human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell-based research for regenerative medicine applications. The first product under the partnership, an "ultra-primary" human fibroblast cell line from which researchers can generate iPS cell lines, was launched today under the SC Proven brand.
"As evidenced by recent initiatives and white papers, the use of human iPS cells for regenerative medicine is a key item on the bioeconomy agendas of both the US and the UK governments," said Stewart Craig, Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Development and Operations at StemCells, Inc. "The scientists at R Biomedical are experts in the development of reagents for the iPS cell field and the company is one of the few organizations to have secured ethical approval to collect and process human somatic cells expressly designed for generating iPS cell lines. We are pleased to collaborate with R Biomedical for the commercialization of a series of new and innovative products to enable regenerative medicine research."
Derived from skin biopsies collected under strict UK ethical control, "ultra-primary" fibroblast cells are an ideal starting material from which to generate human iPS cell lines by genetic reprogramming. The ability to generate iPS cell lines from different patients and from normal donors could enable researchers to address disease targets and develop therapeutics, both by comparative genetic screening as well as by traditional compound library screening.
"We are proud to be partnering with StemCells, Inc.," said Joe Mee, Managing Director of R Biomedical. "The area of regenerative medicine is a burgeoning field both for research and as a specialized platform for pharmaceutical companies performing drug screening campaigns. R Biomedical is extremely well positioned to provide unique iPS cell reagents, accompanying technology and culture reagents to both academic and industrial researchers in partnership with StemCells under their globally recognized and distributed SC Proven brand."
Researchers interested in learning more about the SC Proven product portfolio and the Company's contract service offerings are encouraged to visit StemCells, Inc.'s booth at the World iPS Cell Summit meeting in Boston October 31 to November 01, 2012 (http://ipscell-summit.com/).
About StemCells, Inc.
StemCells, Inc. is engaged in the research, development, and commercialization of cell-based therapeutics and tools for use in stem cell-based research and drug discovery. The Company's lead therapeutic product candidate, HuCNS-SC® cells (purified human neural stem cells), is currently in development as a potential treatment for a broad range of central nervous system disorders, including Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease (PMD), a fatal myelination disorder, chronic spinal cord injury, and dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). StemCells also markets a range of stem cell research products under the SC Proven® brand (www.scproven.com), and offers contract cell process development and production services (cellservices@stemcellsinc.com). Further information is available at www.stemcellsinc.com.
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About R Biomedical
R Biomedical (Roadbreaker Ltd) is a Scottish biomedical company specializing in research, development and commercialization of technologies for regenerative medicine. The company focuses on procedures, protocols and reagents for somatic cell therapeutics with an emphasis in providing new cellular technology as a resource for genetic reprogramming. Specifically, R Biomedical derives human cells from tissue samples under strict ethical approval, which are optimized for regenerative medicine research. Working closely with its academic partners at the University of Edinburgh, R Biomedical considers its patient volunteers to be equal partners in a search for new therapeutic regimes to ultimately find cures for otherwise incurable diseases. For more information please go to https://www.rbiomedical.com/.
Apart from statements of historical fact, the text of this press release constitutes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. securities laws, and is subject to the safe harbors created therein. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the future business operations of StemCells, Inc. (the "Company"); the timing and prospect for the launch of future SC Proven products; the Company's ability to develop new products for the stem-cell research market, including products that enable iPS research; and the Company's ability to continue generating revenues from its SC Proven business. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this news release. The Company does not undertake to update any of these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date hereof. Such statements reflect management's current views and are based on certain assumptions that may or may not ultimately prove valid. The Company's actual results may vary materially from those contemplated in such forward-looking statements due to risks and uncertainties to which the Company is subject, including uncertainties regarding the Company's ability to grow its SC Proven business and compete successfully against better funded and better known companies in the research tools market; uncertainties regarding the Company's ability to obtain the increased capital resources needed to continue its current and planned operations; uncertainties regarding the validity and enforceability of the Company's patents and ability to secure such licenses or other intellectual property rights as may be necessary to commercialize its products; and other factors that are described under the heading "Risk Factors" disclosed in Part I, Item 1A in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 and in its subsequent reports on Form 10‑Q and Form 8‑K.