The promise of stem cell tissue transplantation is
particularly exciting for conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, an incurable
and progressive disorder of the nervous system characterized by a gradual at
first, and then increasingly severe impairment of various motor control
faculties. Parkinson’s disease makes a good poster child for the enormous
potential of stem cell therapy in other diseases/conditions, because it is
materially defined by a localized degeneration of neurons, making targeted
replacement therapy via injected cells extremely appealing.
International Stem Cell Corporation (OTCQB: ISCO) is at the
forefront of developing such therapies via its capacity to produce pluripotent
(having the ability to develop into essentially any cell in the human body),
non-embryonic, human parthenogenetic stem cells (hpSCs), such as its lead
product candidate, human neural stem cells (hpNSCs). And because hpNSCs have
produced abundant evidence thus far that they can not only differentiate into
neurons that help produce the primary neurotransmitter whose falloff is
associated with Parkinson’s disease, dopamine, but can also directly express
neuroprotectant capabilities, the potential for treating other incurable CNS
diseases like multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, or Lou Gehrig’s disease,
is effectively on the table.
Moreover, because the company’s proprietary technology for
creating pluripotent hpSCs utilizes unfertilized eggs, which are chemically
stimulated to begin the process of division before being differentiated into
either patient specific human leukocyte antigen-matched and histocompatible
(heterozygous) hpSCs or HLA homozygous hpSCs that are immune-matched for
compatibility with the vast majority of the population, ISCO’s technology
constitutes an end run on the ethical controversy that has plagued stem cell
research. At the same time, because a relatively small series of human
leukocyte antigen (HLA) homozygous cell lines could effectively present
treatment options which are suitable for huge swathes of the human population,
ISCO has at its disposal a methodology for creating commercial scale volumes of
cells (for therapeutic or research purposes) that resolves the stem cell
industry’s primary procedural stumbling block, immune system rejection.
This is a significant advantage when it comes to research
purposes and ISCO has already taken up the lead in the sector, creating the
world’s first true human stem cell bank, UniStemCell™, a growing collection of
non-embryonic histocompatible stem cells. The ability to go to an
“off-the-shelf” cell line from the bank that is immune-matched to millions of
individuals is also key when it comes to developing frontline stem cell
therapies. Hence the buzz about the company’s rapidly developing therapeutic
pipeline that covers several unmet needs, like neural stem cells for treating
CNS maladies such as Parkinson’s disease and stroke, liver cells for treating
even severe metabolic liver diseases such as Crigler-Najjar syndrome, and
corneal/retinal cells for treating corneal blindness, as well as macular
degeneration.
ISCO’s ongoing development of a powerful hpNSC based
therapeutic solution for Parkinson’s disease will soon see a critical milestone
in the phase I/IIa clinical trial set to take place in Australia, and the
company’s recently submitted animal model study, showing that no tumors were
observed in a battery of 300 rodents, gives investors a really good idea about
how safe and effective such injected stem cell therapy could be for humans.
Already commercially successful via its Lifeline Skin Care subsidiary, which
saw an 18 percent Q2 jump in YOY revenue to $1.82 million, on the strength of
sustained growth for revitalizing skin care products, International Stem Cell
Corporation is also dedicated to helping the life sciences industry meet its
own clinical research needs by providing a vast array of specialized cells and
growth media through its Lifeline Cell Technology subsidiary.
ISCO’s CSO and board member, Ruslan Semechkin, PhD, offered
attendees at the Rodman & Renshaw 17th Annual Global Investment Conference
a general overview of such astounding capabilities, as well as a closer look at
the company’s ongoing clinical and research programs. Investors who were unable
to attend the conference can still get a good front seat look at the company’s
therapeutic pipeline and ongoing programs, simply by visiting the company’s
website at www.internationalstemcell.com.
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MissionIR is committed to connecting the investment community with companies that have great potential and a strong dedication to building shareholder value. We know our reputation is based on the integrity of our clients and go to great lengths to ensure the companies represented adhere to sound business practices.
Sign up for “The Mission Report” at www.MissionIR.com
Please see disclaimer on the MissionIR website http://www.missionir.com/disclaimer.html
