MultiCell Adult Stem Cell Patent Not Affected by Embryonic Stem Cell Setbacks
Tuesday January 25, 2:18 pm ET
WARWICK, R.I.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 25, 2005--MultiCell Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB:MUCL - News), leading supplier of functional non-tumorigenic immortalized human hepatocytes, states that its patented adult stem cell (ASC) is safe from recently announced problems facing embryonic stem cells (ESCs).
The tendency for ESC cell lines to become tumorigenic is already a serious setback for their potential as therapeutics. Now, as recently reported by a panel of stem cell experts, scientists say all federally approved lines of embryonic stem cells are contaminated with a non-human molecule. Some experts have projected that the demand for ASCs used in research may increase as a result.
Dr.Ron Faris, Ph.D., MultiCell CSO, stated today that none of the source of the contamination, sialic acid, Neu5Gc, is present on any MCT human cell lines and that none of MultiCell's proprietary culture medium contains any animal cell contamination.
MultiCell is developing novel strategies for isolation of adult human liver stem cells, on which they hold a patent. Liver stem cells may play a key role in transplantation for tissue regeneration as well as other diagnostic and therapeutic applications. The use of liver stem cells to treat diseases, such as Hepatitis C, may greatly enhance quality of life and obviate the need for costly whole organ liver transplantation. MultiCell believes our stem cell technologies offer us a unique position within the cell therapy market. Since stem cells will be obtained from adult tissues, our methodology also avoids the ethical issues often associated with embryonic stem cells.
MultiCell is at 55 Access Road, Suite 700, in Warwick, Rhode Island. For information about MultiCell call 401-738-7560 or see www.multicelltech.com.
The matters set forth in this press release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially. These risks are detailed from time to time in the Company's periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission including the Company's Annual Report, Quarterly Reports and other periodic filings. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
Contact: MultiCell Technologies, Inc.
Jerry Newmin, 401-738-7560
Source: MultiCell Technologies Inc.
biz.yahoo.com |
