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Stem Cell Sciences Licenses Stem Cell Technology to Leading Provider of Genetically Modified Models for Pharmaceutical Research

Posted on: Tuesday, 11 November 2008, 03:00 CST

CAMBRIDGE, England, November 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- - ("Stem Cell Sciences", "SCS", "the Company")

Stem Cell Sciences plc (AIM:STEM, ASX:STC), a company focused on the commercialisation of stem cells and stem cell technologies, announces that it has licensed IRES technology to a leading provider of genetically modified rat and mouse models for medical and pharmaceutical research. Under the terms of the multi-year agreement, which is non-exclusive and retroactive, the undisclosed partner will gain access to the IRES technology for use in its own research and development activities. Under the terms of the licence, SCS will receive US$750,000 over six years plus royalties.

SCS' IRES (Internal Ribosome Entry Site) technology enables researchers to monitor the activity of a particular gene of interest in living cells or tissues without blocking the normal function of the gene. In particular, IRES is important for evaluating the success of gene knock-outs or knock-ins in stem cells, which is crucial for the successful creation of transgenic mouse and rat disease models.

Dr Alastair Riddell, CEO of SCS, said "A key element of our commercial strategy is to realise both immediate and longer-term value from our extensive IP portfolio in the stem cell field through licence agreements such as this. We are therefore very pleased to have signed this agreement with one of the leading providers of transgenic animal models to the pharmaceutical research industry. We are continuing discussions with other companies, which may benefit from the use of SCS technology in conjunction with their own, and are optimistic of signing further agreements in the coming months."

About Stem Cell Sciences plc

Stem Cell Sciences (SCS) is an international research and development company focusing on the commercial application of stem cell biology technologies for drug discovery and regenerative medicine research. Stem Cell Sciences is now focussing on building revenues through the sale of products, collaborative research and licensing deals with international biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies.

Stem Cell Sciences has a substantial portfolio of patents and patent applications in both adult and embryonic stem cell fields. The Company has been active in the stem cell research field since 1994, principally focused on technologies to grow, differentiate, and purify adult and embryonic stem cells. These include technologies to permit the generation of highly purified stem cells and their differentiated progeny (specialised tissue cell types) for use in genetic, pharmacological and toxicological screens. Moreover, these technologies may be able to provide pure populations of appropriate cell types for transplantation therapies in the future.

The Company has its main research base and headquarters in Cambridge, UK with a second research base in Monash near Melbourne, Australia and a business development office in San Francisco, USA.

For further information on the company please visit: http://www.stemcellsciences.com/.

For further information, please contact: Stem Cell Sciences plc (United Kingdom) Alastair Riddell, CEO Tim Allsopp, Chief Scientific Officer +44(0)1223-499160 Stem Cell Sciences pty ltd (Australia) Paul Bello, Operations Manager +61(0)400-500-495 Citigate Dewe Rogerson (UK) Mark Swallow / Emma Palmer Foster / Amber Bielecka +44(0)20-7638-9571 Talk Biotech (Australia) Fay Weston, Director +61(0)422-206-036 Daniel Stewart & Company (NOMAD to SCS, UK) Simon Leathers / Simon Starr +44(0)207-776-6566

Stem Cell Sciences plc

CONTACT: For further information, please contact:, Stem Cell Sciencesplc (United Kingdom), Alastair Riddell, CEO, Tim Allsopp, Chief ScientificOfficer, +44(0)1223-499160; Stem Cell Sciences pty ltd (Australia), PaulBello, Operations Manager, +61(0)400-500-495; Citigate Dewe Rogerson (UK),Mark Swallow / Emma Palmer Foster / Amber Bielecka, +44(0)20-7638-9571; TalkBiotech (Australia), Fay Weston, Director, +61(0)422-206-036; Daniel Stewart& Company (NOMAD to SCS, UK), Simon Leathers / Simon Starr,+44(0)207-776-6566

Source: PRNewswire-FirstCall

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