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Adipose Stem & Regenerative Cells Not Linked to Arrhythmias in Preclinical Study; Important Safety Findings Published in EuroPace Cardiology Journal

Posted on: Monday, 22 October 2007, 09:01 CDT

Stem and regenerative cells derived from adipose (fat) tissue were found not to be linked to arrhythmias following a heart attack in a preclinical study. The findings were reported in the advance access of EuroPace, a journal of the European Society of Cardiology, as part of a study sponsored by Cytori Therapeutics (NASDAQ: CYTX). Arrhythmias are irregular heart rhythms that are common following heart attacks and can result in potentially life threatening complications.

"This is a significant safety finding, indicating that freshly isolated, uncultured, adipose-derived stem and regenerative cells did not promote arrhythmias after a heart attack," said Kai Pinkernell, M.D., head of research at Cytori. "The results are important to Cytori because the cells used in this study approximate the output of our bedside cell processing device, The Celution™ System, which is currently in clinical testing in Europe for the treatment of heart disease. Furthermore, it favorably distinguishes adipose tissue from other sources of cells used in cell therapy, some of which have been reported to potentially increase the incidence of arrhythmias."

As part of this study, adipose stem and regenerative cells or a saline control injection were administered into infarcted subjects. The improvements in ejection fraction, capillary density and perfusion defect were reported earlier, in a study designated by Cytori as the Tulane II Study. In addition, heart rhythms were monitored throughout an eight week period. At no point during this time was a difference in irregular heartbeats between both groups observed, indicating cell treated animals do not show an increase in potentially fatal arrhythmias. Conversely, at the end of the study period, the data suggest more electrophysiologic stimulation is required to experimentally and artificially induce arrhythmias in the cell treated group compared to the control group.

Cytori Therapeutics

Cytori Therapeutics is a global leader in the development of regenerative medicine products. The company is developing therapeutic applications for its Celution™ System to enable real-time regenerative cell therapy in conjunction with breast reconstruction surgery, cardiovascular disease, and other unmet medical needs. The Company's StemSource™ Cell Bank, which is based on Cytori's innovative Celution™ System, will be commercialized in Japan starting in 2008 to hospitals and clinics to enable regenerative cell banking. www.cytoritx.com.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements regarding events, trends and prospects of our business, which may affect our future operating results and financial position. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results and financial position to differ materially. Some of these risks and uncertainties include our history of operating losses, the need for further financing, regulatory uncertainties, dependence on performance of third parties, and other risks and uncertainties described (under the heading "Risk Factors") in Cytori Therapeutics' Form 10-K annual report for the year ended December 31, 2006. We assume no responsibility to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events, trends or circumstances after the date they are made.

Source: Business Wire

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