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StemCells, Inc. Expands SC Proven(R) Product Portfolio With Launch of Proprietary Human Cell Detection Antibodies

PALO ALTO, Calif., Dec. 6, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- StemCells, Inc. (Nasdaq:STEM) announced today the launch of STEM101™, STEM121™ and STEM123™, three new antibody reagents that significantly improve the visualization of human cells, including human stem cells and their progeny. These high potency antibodies are the latest additions to the Company's growing SC Proven® portfolio of research products, and provide powerful, cost-effective tools for the detection, tracking and characterization of human cells both in vitro and when transplanted into animal models of human diseases. 
/ Source: GlobeNewswire

PALO ALTO, Calif., Dec. 6, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- StemCells, Inc. (Nasdaq:STEM) announced today the launch of STEM101™, STEM121™ and STEM123™, three new antibody reagents that significantly improve the visualization of human cells, including human stem cells and their progeny. These high potency antibodies are the latest additions to the Company's growing SC Proven® portfolio of research products, and provide powerful, cost-effective tools for the detection, tracking and characterization of human cells both in vitro and when transplanted into animal models of human diseases. 

"The commercial launch of these proprietary antibodies demonstrates our ongoing commitment to broaden our portfolio of innovative research products and to take advantage of the growing market for research-grade cells, media and reagents," said Stewart Craig, Senior Vice President, Development and Operations at StemCells, Inc. "Their utility has been proven by our scientists and by independent academic collaborators in the conduct of their research and development activities. These antibodies have also become the cornerstone of our extensive preclinical studies, which have allowed us to successfully advance our stem cell therapeutic candidates into multiple clinical trials.  There is considerable demand for these reagents, so we are pleased to now make them available to the scientific community at large." 

STEM101, STEM121 and STEM123 are human-specific mouse monoclonal antibodies that have been extensively used to detect the engraftment, migration and differentiation of human neural stem cells and human liver engrafting cells (hLEC™) transplanted into rodents.1,2,3,4,5 These antibodies can be used for immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence applications such as:

  • Quantifying the location and number of engrafted cells
  • Tracking the migration pattern of engrafted cells
  • Determining the nature of engrafted cells
  • Identifying specific differentiated human-derived cells such as astrocytes

STEM101 recognizes the Ku80 protein found in human nuclei, STEM121 recognizes a cytoplasmic protein of human cells, and STEM123 recognizes human glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP).   

About SC Proven Products

The SC Proven product portfolio comprises a range of specialty cell culture products that enable the standardized and reproducible production and propagation of highly purified stem cells and their differentiated progeny, as well as reagents for cell detection, isolation and characterization. The entire SC Proven product catalog and online ordering can be found at . 

References

  1. Kelly S, et al. Transplanted human fetal neural stem cells survive, migrate, and differentiate in ischemic rat cerebral cortex. PNAS (2004) 101:11839-11844
  2. Cummings B.J., et al. Human neural stem cells differentiate and promote locomotor recovery in spinal cord-injured mice. PNAS (2005) 102: 14069-14074
  3. Tamaki S.J., et al., Neuroprotection of Host Cells by Human Central Nervous System Stem Cells in a Mouse Model of Infantile Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis. Cell Stem Cell (2009) 5:310-319
  4. Kallur T., et al. Human Fetal Cortical and Striatal Neural Stem Cells Generate Region-Specific Neurons In Vitro and Differentiate Extensively to Neurons After Intrastriatal Transplantation in Neonatal Rats. J Neurosci Res. (2006) 84:1630-1644
  5. Salazar D.L., et al., Human Neural Stem Cells Differentiate and Promote Locomotor Recovery in an Early Chronic Spinal Cord Injury NOD-scid Mouse Model. PLoS ONE (2010) 5: e12272

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. In its therapeutic product development programs, StemCells is targeting disorders of the central nervous system and the liver. StemCells' lead product candidate, HuCNS-SC® cells (purified human neural stem cells), is currently in clinical development for the treatment of two fatal neurodegenerative disorders in children, and in preclinical development for spinal cord injury and retinal disorders such as age-related macular degeneration. StemCells also markets research products, including media and reagents, under the SC Proven®brand, and is developing stem cell-based assay platforms for use in pharmaceutical research, drug discovery and drug development. Further information about StemCells is available at .

The StemCells, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=7014

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 ability of STEM101, STEM121 and STEM123 to enable and improve the visualization, detection, tracking and characterization of human cells both in vitro and when transplanted into animal models of human diseases; the clinical development of the Company's HuCNS-SC cells; the prospects for the Company to pursue non-therapeutic applications of its cell-based technologies; and the future business operations of the Company. 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 those described under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, and in its subsequent reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K.

CONTACT: StemCells, Inc. Investor Inquiries Megan Meloni (650) 475-3105 Russo Partners Media Ian Stone (619) 528-2220 David Schull (212) 845-4271