Patent Granted

RNS Number : 9112V

Stem Cell Sciences plc

04 June 2008

 



Press Release 

Stem Cell ScienceS GRANTED SECOND european 'NANOG' patent 

Key gene enabling the production of disease specific assays

("Stem Cell Sciences", "SCS")

4 June 2008

Stem Cell Sciences plc (AIM:STEM, ASX:STC) today announced that the European Patent Office ("EPO") has granted it a second patent for 'Nanog', a key factor used to convert adult cells back into a pluripotent state. With this technology, adult cells can be reprogrammed to behave like embryonic stem cells, thus avoiding the controversy associated with using embryos. The granted patent, EP Patent 1698639, covers mouse Nanog, complementing the Company's existing patent, EP Patent 1470155, which covers human Nanog.

EP Patent 1698639 covers the manipulation of mouse 'Nanog', complementing the Company's existing patent, EP Patent 1470155, which covers human Nanog.  Nanog is a key gene expressed in embryonic stem cells and can be used to convert adult cells back into a pluripotent state. With this technology, adult cells can be reprogrammed to behave like embryonic stem cells, thus avoiding the controversy associated with using embryos.

The resulting pair of patents have claims which cover manipulating expression of human and mouse Nanog, cells containing introduced human and mouse Nanog genes, reprogramming methods using human and mouse Nanog and related culture media products.

"Nanog is like a master control switch," explained Dr Tim Allsopp, Chief Scientific Officer of Stem Cell Sciences.  "Nanog is a protein which can bind to the DNA encoding many other genes, and can regulate their pattern of activity. In effect, we can use the Nanog gene to turn back the developmental clock in cells and induce an embryonic status in which the cells have the hallmark features of indefinite growth and pluripotency in culture." 

Dr Alastair Riddell, CEO of Stem Cell Sciences, commented, "The grant of this latest patent in an area of major interest in the stem cell field further demonstrates the leading edge nature of the work that has been underway at Stem Cell Sciences for many years. We continue to expand and strengthen our intellectual property portfolio which will prove invaluable as the use of stem cells in drug discovery and in cell based therapy grows. The reprogramming of adult cells into stem cells could transform the prospects for regenerative medicine in the future."

ENDS

For further information, please contact:

Stem Cell Sciences plc (United Kingdom)

Alastair Riddell, CEO

Tim Allsopp, Chief Scientific Officer

[phone]

Halsin Partners (United Kingdom)

Michael Sinclair, Director

[phone]

Stem Cell Sciences Pty Ltd (Australia)

Paul Bello, Scientific Programme Manager

[phone]

Talk Biotech (Australia)

Fay Weston, Director

[phone]

Notes to Editors

Stem Cell Sciences plc (SCS, AIM:STEM, ASX:STC) in a leading provider of cells and cell culture media to the burgeoning stem cell research market. The successful application of stem cells in both research and clinical applications is the reproducible supply of pure, fully characterised stem cells and stem cell-derived specialised cells such as nerves and muscle. By providing these products, to the life sciences industry and academia for use in basic research and drug discovery, Stem Cell Sciences has multiple potential revenue streams.

Stem Cell Sciences has multiple industry collaborations, including Millipore Corporation for the marketing and distribution of HEScGRO™, its serum free media for the growth of human embryonic stem cells and Merck & Co for the use of mouse neural stem cell technology for research applications.

To access cutting edge technologies on a rapid and on-going basis, Stem Cell Sciences has built an exceptional network of highly interactive collaborations with academic centres of excellence in the stem cell field. These collaborations have been the source of our founding technologies and continue to provide an expanding pipeline of products and intellectual property that are central to the Company's strategy and success. 

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

 

END

 

 

MSCFKNKNOBKDKAK