Stem Cell Sciences Licenses Stem Cell Technolog...

CAMBRIDGE, England, November 11 /PRNewswire/ --

- ("Stem Cell Sciences", "SCS", "the Company")

    Stem Cell Sciences plc (AIM:STEM, ASX:STC), a company focused on the
commercialisation of stem cells and stem cell technologies, announces that it
has licensed IRES technology to a leading provider of genetically modified
rat and mouse models for medical and pharmaceutical research. Under the terms
of the multi-year agreement, which is non-exclusive and retroactive, the
undisclosed partner will gain access to the IRES technology for use in its
own research and development activities. Under the terms of the licence, SCS
will receive US$750,000 over six years plus royalties.



    SCS' IRES (Internal Ribosome Entry Site) technology enables researchers
to monitor the activity of a particular gene of interest in living cells or
tissues without blocking the normal function of the gene. In particular, IRES
is important for evaluating the success of gene knock-outs or knock-ins in
stem cells, which is crucial for the successful creation of transgenic mouse
and rat disease models.



    Dr Alastair Riddell, CEO of SCS, said "A key element of our commercial
strategy is to realise both immediate and longer-term value from our
extensive IP portfolio in the stem cell field through licence agreements such
as this. We are therefore very pleased to have signed this agreement with one
of the leading providers of transgenic animal models to the pharmaceutical
research industry. We are continuing discussions with other companies, which
may benefit from the use of SCS technology in conjunction with their own, and
are optimistic of signing further agreements in the coming months."



About Stem Cell Sciences plc

    Stem Cell Sciences (SCS) is an international research and
development company focusing on the commercial application of stem cell
biology technologies for drug discovery and regenerative medicine research.
Stem Cell Sciences is now focussing on building revenues through the sale of
products, collaborative research and licensing deals with international
biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies.



    Stem Cell Sciences has a substantial portfolio of patents and
patent applications in both adult and embryonic stem cell fields. The Company
has been active in the stem cell research field since 1994, principally
focused on technologies to grow, differentiate, and purify adult and
embryonic stem cells. These include technologies to permit the generation of
highly purified stem cells and their differentiated progeny (specialised
tissue cell types) for use in genetic, pharmacological and toxicological
screens. Moreover, these technologies may be able to provide pure populations
of appropriate cell types for transplantation therapies in the future.



    The Company has its main research base and headquarters in
Cambridge, UK with a second research base in Monash near Melbourne, Australia
and a business development office in San Francisco, USA.



    For further information on the company please visit:
http://www.stemcellsciences.com.


    
    For further information, please contact:
    Stem Cell Sciences plc (United Kingdom)
    Alastair Riddell, CEO
    Tim Allsopp, Chief Scientific Officer
    [phone]

    Stem Cell Sciences pty ltd (Australia)
    Paul Bello, Operations Manager
    [phone]

    Citigate Dewe Rogerson (UK)
    Mark Swallow / Emma Palmer Foster / Amber Bielecka
    [phone]

    Talk Biotech (Australia)
    Fay Weston, Director
    [phone]

    Daniel Stewart & Company (NOMAD to SCS, UK)
    Simon Leathers / Simon Starr
    [phone]