BUSINESS WIRE
Other Tests Show Tissue's Ability to Focus Light, Pointing to
Potential Therapeutic Applications
OCEANSIDE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--International Stem Cell Corporation (OTCBB:ISCO), www.internationalstemcell.com,
the first company to perfect a method of creating human
“parthenogenetic” stem cells from unfertilized eggs, announces the
results of a second set of experiments confirming that its lab-grown
corneal tissue closely mimics the drug absorption and drug metabolism
characteristics found in normal corneal tissue. Other tests show that
the stem cell derived corneal tissue refracts light, thus providing a
further indication of its potential therapeutic value in treating
corneal injury and disease.
Two sets of collaborative experiments between ISCO and Absorption
Systems have now shown that corneal tissue cultured by ISCO exhibits
topical drug absorption barrier properties and tissue-appropriate
enzymatic activity, making it a promising model for studying human
ocular drug absorption as an alternative to live animal testing. ISCO’s
human corneal tissue is created in the laboratories of its wholly owned
subsidiary, Lifeline Cell Technology (Walkersville, MD).
In a second set of tests conducted by a third party expert, a beam of
diverging light was projected through the corneal tissue from different
distances, becoming more or less refracted with the changing distance,
showing that the corneal tissue was clear and had optical properties
that allow the focusing of light. Additional experiments will be
conducted to better define these optical characteristics.
According to Jeffrey Janus, Senior VP of ISCO and CEO of Lifeline, “We
are very excited to confirm our initial results showing drug absorption
that correlates with animal models and add to these results the
observation of enzymatic activity. This not only advances our plans to
manufacture a product that can be used to reduce the need for tests that
use living animals, but it also is one more step toward the potential
therapeutic use of this tissue as a treatment for human corneal injury
or disease. This has implications, not only in the US, but also in India
and Asia, where millions of people suffer from corneal blindness that
now goes untreated. The experiments showing light refraction are a
tempting indication that this tissue will have therapeutic application.”
“There is a large commercial need for a predictive and reproducible
non-animal method for testing the safety of ophthalmic drugs and
consumer products,” said Patrick M. Dentinger, President and CEO of
Absorption Systems. “The combined knowledge and expertise of ISCO and
Absorption Systems have allowed us to take a step forward toward
addressing an unmet need in the field of ophthalmology by creating a
unique in vitro model to study human ocular drug absorption
without using animals. Our collaboration with ISCO underscores our
commitment to helping bring safe drugs to market.”
The collaboration between Absorption Systems and ISCO uses Absorption
Systems’ know-how in creating and characterizing assay systems to
develop superior preclinical methods of testing drugs. Such methods can
also reduce the use of laboratory animals currently necessary for other
tests, including safety testing of consumer products.
ABOUT INTERNATIONAL STEM CELL CORPORATION (ISCO.OB):
International Stem Cell Corporation is a California-based biotechnology
company focused on therapeutic and research products. ISCO's core
technology, parthenogenesis, results in creation of pluripotent human
stem cells from unfertilized oocytes (eggs). hpSCs avoid ethical issues
associated with the use or destruction of viable human embryos. ISCO
scientists have created the first parthenogenic, homozygous stem cell
line that can be a source of therapeutic cells with minimal immune
rejection after transplantation into hundreds of millions of individuals
of differing sexes, ages and racial groups. This offers the potential to
create the first true stem cell bank, UniStemCell™, while avoiding the
ethical issue of using fertilized eggs. ISCO also produces and markets
specialized cells and growth media for therapeutic research worldwide
through its subsidiary Lifeline Cell Technology. More information is
available at ISCO's website, www.internationalstemcell.com.
ABOUT ABSORPTION SYSTEMS:
Absorption Systems, founded in 1996, assists pharmaceutical,
biotechnology and medical device companies in identifying and overcoming
ADMET (Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion and Toxicity)
barriers in the development of drugs, biologics and medical devices. The
company's mission is to continually develop innovative research tools
that can be used to accurately predict human outcomes or to explain
unanticipated human outcomes when they occur. The CellPort Technologies®
platform, a suite of human cell-based tests systems for drug transporter
characterization, exemplifies Absorption Systems' commitment to
innovation. Absorption Systems has facilities near Philadelphia, PA, and
in San Diego, CA, and serves customers throughout the world. For
information on the company's comprehensive contract services and applied
research programs, please visit http://www.absorption.com.
To subscribe to receive ongoing corporate communications please click on
the following link: http://www.b2i.us/irpass.asp?BzID=1468&to=ea&s=0.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Statements pertaining to anticipated technological developments and
therapeutic applications, and other opportunities for the company and
its subsidiary, along with other statements about the future
expectations, beliefs, goals, plans, or prospects expressed by
management constitute forward-looking statements. Any statements that
are not historical fact (including, but not limited to statements that
contain words such as "will," "believes," "plans," "anticipates,"
"expects," "estimates") should also be considered to be forward-looking
statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties,
including, without limitation, risks inherent in the development and/or
commercialization of potential products, uncertainty in the results of
clinical trials or regulatory approvals, need and ability to obtain
future capital, application of capital resources among competing uses,
and maintenance of intellectual property rights. Actual results may
differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking
statements and as such should be evaluated together with the many
uncertainties that affect the company's business, particularly those
mentioned in the cautionary statements found in the company's Securities
and Exchange Commission filings. The company disclaims any intent or
obligation to update these forward-looking statements.