PPMD...stem cell play...(OTC BB .50)........see following description then bottom of next releaserelease.:
Protide Pharmaceuticals, Inc., formerly known as Celox Laboratories, Inc., is a cell technology company that researches, develops, manufactures, and markets cell biology products that are used in the propagation of cells derived from mammals, including humans, and other species. These specialized cell growth products are used primarily in academic, pharmaceutical and other commercial laboratories to improve the growth, productivity and quality of cell-derived medical and other biological products such as vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, interferons and human growth factor. The Company markets over 25 different products. The Company's proprietary products consist of six different serum-free supplements, TCM, TM-235, TCH, Nephrigen, HemaPro and VaxMax, and two cell-freezing solutions, Cellvation and a newly introduced product, pZerve.
(COMTEX) B: Stem Cells and Cloning: Still a Hot Subject
B: Stem Cells and Cloning: Still a Hot Subject
New York, Aug 09, 2001 (123Jump via COMTEX) -- Stem cell research companies
Geron Corp. (GERN), Aastrom Biosciences Inc. (ASTM) and Stemcells Inc. (STEM) -
which had taken a beating in the past few weeks - were staging an impressive
rally this morning. Geron was up more than 5%, Aastrom jumped 14% and Stemcells
leapt 16%.
Since July 24, when the stock closed at 6.75, Stemcells has lost 30% of its
value on the looming threat of a bill which would prohibit all forms of human
cloning in the United States. Geron shares fared better, losing only 13% since
July 31. Aastrom's share price has declined 16% since July 24.
President Bush is expected to announce his decision on whether to allow federal
funding for embryonic stem cell research tonight. Investors are feeling bullish
about the prospects, judging by the sharp upturn in related share prices this
morning.
Elsewhere, controversy and debate have been heating up over the proposed cloning
ban. Earlier this week, three scientists raised the heat one notch higher by
promoting their plans to clone humans. The scientists had been invited to speak
at a heavily scrutinized meeting held in Washington by the U.S. National Academy
of Sciences.
In the past week, Stemcells has been stepping up its funding efforts. The
company registered to sell 5 million shares of common stock to Sativum
Investments Ltd. last Friday.
Sativum invested $30 million in Stemcells, in return for Stemcells common stock.
The terms of the agreement specify a series of periodic drawdowns at a market
price discount. Proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes.
Stemcells will also issue 1.9 million shares to shareholder Millennium Partners
LP, which will then sell them.
Meanwhile, Geron has kept busy by signing a licensing agreement with Australian
company Clone International Pty Ltd. - formerly known as Clone Australia Pty
Ltd. - and New Zealand research company Ag Research Limited.
Under terms of the agreement, Geron will grant exclusive license rights to its
nuclear transfer technology, for use in Australia and in New Zealand. Through
the technology, the companies are expected to develop superior dairy and beef
cattle.
In return, Geron will receive a 25% equity interest in Clone International, as
well as a share of future revenues.
Aastrom is engaged in the development of automated cell therapy to assist
therapeutic procedures for the restoration of normal tissues in cancer and other
patients.
Market capitalization is $86.38 million. The company competes against Celox
Laboratories Inc. (CELX), CRYO-CELL International Inc. (CCEL) and Nexell
Therapeutics Inc. (NEXL).
Geron is engaged in the discovery, development and commercialization of
therapeutic and diagnostic products for applications in oncology, based upon
three patented technologies: telomerase, human embryonic stem cells and nuclear
transfer.
Market capitalization is $295.42 million. The company competes against Nexell,
U.K.-based PPL Therapeutics plc and SUGEN Inc. - a subsidiary of Pharmacia Corp.
(PHA).
Stemcells is a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the development of
cell-based products designed to deliver therapeutic substances to the central
nervous system or to regenerate damaged tissue.
Market capitalization is $127.89 million. The company competes against The
Immune Response Corp. (IMNR), Incara Pharmaceuticals Corp. (INCR) and privately
held Ixion Biotechnology Inc..
Stemcells shares surged 1.12, or 23.68%, to 5.85; Geron shares climbed 60 cents,
or 4.65%, to 13.5; Aastrom shares soared 33 cents, or 18.44%, to 2.11.
CONTACT: For more information, contact 123Jump.com, Inc.
Send email to: info@123jump.com
Or, visit 123Jump at: 123jump.com
All Rights Reserved. (c) Copyright: 2001 123jump.com, Inc.
-0-
*** end of story *** |
