Stem Cell Therapeutics Announces Issuance of Additional US Patent for Use of Prolactin
3 hours ago - ACQUIREMEDIA
CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - May 19, 2009) - Stem Cell Therapeutics Corp. ("SCT") (TSX VENTURE:SSS) has been issued United States Patent No. 7,534,765, entitled "Pregnancy Induced Oligodendrocyte Precursor Cell Proliferation Regulated by Prolactin". This patent, issued today, covers methods of using of prolactin for enhancing the formation of oligodendendrocytes in vivo, such as to treat diseases associated with loss of myelin-producing oligodendrocytes (white matter diseases).
Dr. Alan Moore, President and CEO, commented as follows:
"This patent bolsters our intellectual property position around the use of prolactin for treating demyelinating neurodegenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis ("MS") in which the myelin sheath surrounding the axon of neurons is damaged. The finding that prolactin enhances oligodendrocyte production and remyelination is what stimulated the development of our NTx(R)-488 program for MS, with preclinical studies being completed in preparation for Phase II clinical trials.
Importantly, as covered by other SCT patents, prolactin also stimulates neural stem cell proliferation and neurogenesis. Prolactin is therefore expected to repair both the myelin damage and the neuronal damage in MS, which is necessary for full functional recovery, and makes prolactin a unique MS drug candidate."
About Stem Cell Therapeutics Corp.: Stem Cell Therapeutics Corp. is a Canadian public biotechnology company (TSX VENTURE:SSS) focused on the development and commercialization of drug-based therapies to treat central nervous system diseases. SCT is a leader in the development of therapies that utilize drugs to stimulate a patient's own resident stem cells. The Company's programs aim to repair neurological function lost due to disease or injury. The Company's extensive patent portfolio of owned and licensed intellectual property supports the potential expansion into future clinical programs in numerous neurological diseases such as traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis Huntington's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and ALS.
These securities have not been registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the securities laws of any state, and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of U.S. persons unless an applicable exemption from U.S. registration requirements is available.
Except for historical information, this press release may contain forward-looking statements, which reflect the Company's current expectation regarding future events. These forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainties, which may cause but are not limited to, changing market conditions, the successful and timely completion of clinical studies, the establishment of corporate alliances, the impact of competitive products and pricing, new product development, uncertainties related to the regulatory approval process and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's ongoing quarterly and annual reporting.
The TSX Venture Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Stem Cell Therapeutics Corp.
Alan Moore, PhD
President and CEO
(403) 245-5495 ext.224
Email: amoore@stemcellthera.com
Stem Cell Therapeutics Corp.
Chloe Douglas-Crampton
Investor Relations
(403) 245-5495 ext. 221
Email: crampton@stemcellthera.com
Website: www.stemcellthera.com
Source: Stem Cell Therapeutics Corp.
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