International Stem
Cell Corporation (OTCQB: ISCO) is a biotechnology company that focuses on
early-stage cell therapy. ISCO uses stem cells to treat a variety of diseases,
including those of the eyes, the nervous system, and the liver, among others.
The scientists at ISCO treat severe diseases with state-of-the-art technology.
The aim of the company is to create therapeutic products from its own
intellectual property. With this in mind, ISCO also owns two subsidiary
companies. Lifeline Skin Care Inc. is a business that develops and manufactures
skin care products, while Lifeline Cell Technology, LLC is a research products
business that develops and manufactures human cell culture products.
Most recently,
International Stem Cell Corp. has started developing human parthenogenetic stem
cell derived neural stem cells. Over the past few years, the main problem with
using stem cells in regenerative medicine has been a case of ethics. In an
article entitled ‘Embryonic stem cell research: an ethical dilemma’, published
on the Euro Stem Cell website, it explains the dilemma that we, as humans, have
to face when making a choice between two moral principles: the duty we have to
prevent or diminish pain and suffering, and the duty we have to respect the
value of human life, even at its earliest stages. In the article, the
discussion goes into detail about the moral status of a human embryo. The
question is asked: Does the embryo have the status of a person? The answer is
still to be decided.
However, with the
help of International Stem Cell Corp., the discussion can be put to one side
for the time being. ISCO has developed a new type of stem cell using
unfertilized eggs. This means that the eggs in question would never have the
potential to become embryos, and, therefore, no embryo is destroyed. During a
recent interview between The Nikkei Asian Review and Russell Kern, Chief
Scientific Officer at ISCO, Kern said: “Being able to produce parthenogenetic
stem cells in large quantities and in a way that greatly simplifies the chances
of immune matching gives us a clear advantage over other stem cell
technologies, like embryonic stem cells for obvious reasons. One of ISCO’s stem
cell lines matches approximately 70 million people and makes it incredibly
simple to immune match its stem cells.”
ISCO is starting a
phase I clinical trial in Australia using these new stem cells. The stem cells
not only take away any moral issues associated to the cause but may also reduce
the risk of immune rejections. The phase I clinical trials are based on preclinical
studies in rodents and nonhuman primates. The ISCO stem cells showed a
significant rise in brain dopamine levels. Not only this, the studies also
showed amazing improvement in Parkinson’s disease symptoms. With phase I of
clinical trials, ISCO aims to find a treatment for Parkinson’s disease.
For more
information, visit www.internationalstemcell.com
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