StemCells, Inc. Receives U.S. Patent for Methods of
Isolating Precursors to Insulin Producing Cells
April 04, 2003 08:00:00 (ET)
PALO ALTO, Calif., Apr 4, 2003 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- StemCells, Inc. (STEM, Trade)
confirmed today that the U.S. Patent office has granted U.S. Patent Number 6,541,251 with claims
covering methods for isolating pancreatic progenitor cells in mammals, including humans. These
progenitors are the cells that give rise to insulin producing cells. StemCells has the exclusive
license to the patent, which arose out of research conducted at Dr. Nora Sarvetnick's laboratory at
the Scripps Research Institute under funding from StemCells Inc.
"This patent claims a cell-surface protein marker and methods that can be used to tag the
progenitor cells that will generate insulin-producing cells. This unique protein marker provides us
with a means to purify these progenitor cells using the same technology platform the company has
used for the identification and isolation of its human neural stem cells. The adult pancreas has very
limited regenerative capacity, and in insulin deficient diabetes, the insulin-producing cells are
destroyed and do not regenerate. The potential significance of this patent is that by isolating a highly
enriched population of progenitor cells and transplanting it, we may be able to provide an internal
source of insulin that might ameliorate, or even cure, the disease." said Martin McGlynn, President
and CEO of StemCells Inc. "The patent claims cover cells identified from a variety of tissue sources,
including fetal, neonatal, and adult tissue," McGlynn added.
The Company previously announced the June 5th, 2001 issuance of another U.S. Patent invented by
Dr. Sarvetnick and her colleagues at Scripps, pertaining to a unique mouse model which it believes
will also be useful for identifying stem/progenitor cells for the pancreas and liver.
StemCells, Inc is a biotechnology company focused on the discovery, development and
commercialization of stem cell-based therapies to treat diseases of the nervous system, liver, and
pancreas. The Company's stem cell programs seek to repair or repopulate neural or other tissue
that has been damaged or lost as a result of disease or injury. Further information about the
Company is available on its web site, at www.stemcellsinc.com.
Statements in this press release other than statements of historical facts constitute forward-looking
statements regarding, among other things, the future business operations of StemCells, Inc. ("the
Company"). The Company's actual results may vary materially from those contemplated in the
forward looking statement due to risks and uncertainties to which the Company is subject, including
the risk that Company will not be successful in using the patented technologies to develop effective
treatments for human diseases; uncertainties regarding the Company's ability to obtain the capital
resources needed to conduct the research, preclinical development and clinical trials necessary for
regulatory approvals; the fact that the Company's stem cell technology is at the pre-clinical state and
has not yet led to the development of any proposed product; the uncertainty whether any products
that may be generated in the future in the Company's stem cell programs will prove clinically
effective and not cause tumors or other side effects; the uncertainty whether the Company will
achieve revenues from product sales or become profitable; and others that are described in Exhibit
99 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K entitled "Cautionary Factors Relevant to Forward
Looking Statements."
CONTACT: Martin McGlynn, President & CEO of StemCells, Inc., +1-650-475-3100, ext 108.
SOURCE StemCells, Inc.
Martin McGlynn, President & CEO of StemCells, Inc.,
+1-650-475-3100, ext 108
stemcellsinc.com |
