NEWARK, Calif., Oct. 17, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- StemCells, Inc. (Nasdaq:STEM), the leading stem cell company developing novel cell-based therapeutics for disorders of the central nervous system, announced today that investigators from two of the Company's clinical trials will make presentations at the Congress of Neurological Surgeons Annual Meeting, which will be held October 19-23 at the Moscone West Convention Center in San Francisco, California.
The first presentation, scheduled for 2:36 p.m. Pacific Time on Monday, October 21, will be given by Nathan Selden, MD, PhD, FACS, FAAP, who was co-principal investigator in the Company's Phase I clinical study in neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL, also often referred to as Batten's disease) and the four-year long-term observational study that followed. Dr. Selden will present a summary of the results from the long-term follow up study, which includes data from patients who are now more than five years after transplantation of the Company's proprietary HuCNS-SC® cells. Dr. Selden is Campagna Chair of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Doernbecher Children's Hospital and Oregon Health & Science University.
The second presentation, scheduled for 2:28 p.m. Pacific Time on Wednesday, October 23, will be given by Raphael Guzman, MD, who is co-principal investigator for the Company's Phase I/II study for chronic spinal cord injury currently underway in Switzerland, Canada, and the United States. Dr. Guzman will review interim results from that study, which to date has enrolled and dosed seven of the 12 patients planned. Dr. Guzman is Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery and Vice Chair, Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Basel.
The Congress of Neurological Surgeons is the largest neurosurgical society in the world and the global leader in neurosurgical education, serving to promote health by advancing neurosurgery worldwide through innovation and excellence in education. With more than 8,000 members worldwide, the Congress of Neurological Surgeons provides global leadership in neurosurgery by inspiring and facilitating scientific discovery and its translation into clinical practice. The Annual Meeting is an essential event for medical professionals and others seeking to learn about important advances in the field of neurosurgery. For more information, visit www.cns.org.
About StemCells, Inc.
StemCells, Inc. is engaged in the research, development, and commercialization of cell-based therapeutics and tools for use in stem cell-based research and drug discovery. The Company's proprietary HuCNS-SC® cells (purified human neural stem cells) are currently in development as a potential treatment for a broad range of central nervous system disorders. In a Phase I clinical trial in Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease (PMD), a fatal myelination disorder in children, the Company has shown preliminary evidence of progressive and durable donor-derived myelination in all four patients transplanted with HuCNS-SC cells. The Company is conducting a Phase I/II clinical trial in chronic spinal cord injury in Switzerland, Canada and the United States, and has reported positive interim data for the first three patients. The Company is also conducting a Phase I/II clinical trial in dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in the United States. In addition, the Company is pursuing preclinical studies in Alzheimer's disease, with support from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM). StemCells also markets stem cell research products, including media and reagents, under the SC Proven® brand. Further information about StemCells is available at http://www.stemcellsinc.com.
Apart from statements of historical fact, the text of this press release constitutes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. securities laws, and is subject to the safe harbors created therein. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the clinical development of the Company's HuCNS-SC cells; the Company's ability to commercialize drug discovery and drug development tools; and the future business operations of the Company. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this news release. The Company does not undertake to update any of these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date hereof. Such statements reflect management's current views and are based on certain assumptions that may or may not ultimately prove valid. The Company's actual results may vary materially from those contemplated in such forward-looking statements due to risks and uncertainties to which the Company is subject, including those described under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 and in its subsequent reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K.