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Last updated on May 22, 2013 at 7:48 EDT

ReproCELL Launches Alzheimer’s Disease Model Based on iPS-derived Human Neuronal Cells

June 7, 2012

YOKOHAMA, Japan, June 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ –

ReproCELL, Inc. (CEO: Chikafumi Yokoyama PhD) announces today that the company will
start commercializing human iPS-derived neurons in which an Alzheimer’s disease related
gene has been incorporated.

ReproCELL’s scientists have successfully incorporated a gene related to Alzheimer’s
disease using homologous recombinant genetic engineering technology into undifferentiated
human iPS cells and then differentiated them into neurons. In these cells, it has been
confirmed that amyloid beta 42 is accumulated at higher levels compared to normal neurons.
This phenomena is similar to what is observed in neurons of Alzheimer’s patients.
Accordingly, ReproCELL’s scientists believe the newly developed iPS cells can be useful
for drug screening to identify new therapeutic molecules to treat Alzheimer’s disease
patients.

The company will start marketing the cells on June 13th, 2012.

Details of data of the cells will be announced at the 10th annual meeting of ISSCR
(International Society for Stem Cell Research) at Yokohama, Japan (June 13th-16th, 2012).

ReproCELL is a world-leading pioneer in commercializing human pluripotent stem cells
as an effective tool for drug discovery and development. The company has successfully
launched iPS-derived cardiomyocytes for cardiac toxicity testing, followed by the launch
of iPS-derived dopaminergic neurons and hepatocytes for efficacy and toxicity screening of
drug candidates.

This is the fourth product of the company using iPS technology and the first cellular
disease model incorporating a disease-related gene.

        Contact: info_en@reprocell.com Tel: 81-(0)45-475-3887
        KDX Shin-Yokohama 381 bldg. 8F, 3-8-11 Shin-Yokohama, Kohoku-ku,
        Yokohama, Kanagawa 222-0033, Japan

SOURCE ReproCELL, Inc.


Source: PR Newswire