CITY OF INDUSTRY, Calif., Feb. 1, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- U.S. BioDefense, Inc. (OTCBB:UBDF) is pleased to announce today that it has released its White Paper at usbiodefense.com entitled "Collaborative Stem Cell Technology Commercialization Opportunities In California"; excerpts may be read below. The White Paper is focused on exploring the potential of collaborative technology transfer and commercialization of stem cell research in California thereby bridging Universities, Government Agencies, Fortune 500 companies and Research Labs located in foreign States and Countries.
CEO David Chin stated: "There have been major breakthroughs at Universities, Companies, and Government Research labs located outside of California which specialize in Adult and Embryonic Stem Cell technology. By importing and collaborating research on Stem Cell technology from foreign regions to California, research affiliates may be able to take advantage of State Proposition 71, the $3 Billion California Stem Cell Research and Cures Initiative, which finances embryonic as well as adult stem cell research with State funds of approximately $295 million annually for 10 years beginning with 2005. The passage of Proposition 71 is an important event both for California academic institutions and researchers engaged in or looking to play a role in stem cell science, and for California companies undertaking stem cell research. However, a majority of Stem Cell technology has been developed outside of California and it would be beneficial for institutions to leverage their resources by collaborating and transferring ongoing stem cell research and technology into the California market."
The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine is the biggest state run research project in U.S. history. The Institute must dedicate itself to teaching, research, and service in addition to commercialization. One aspect of this mission is the application of knowledge to problems of general public interest. Technology transfer, as a beneficial outcome of teaching and research, is an application of knowledge that responds to many societal needs. California should recognize and support technology transfer and intellectual property development activities.
The objectives of the technology transfer and intellectual property development activities shall be to facilitate the efficient transfer of Stem Cell knowledge and technology from California's Institute to the private sector in service of the public interest; to support the discovery of new knowledge and technology and to attract resources for the support of University programs; and, to promote local and national economic development.
The State's commitment to supporting stem cell research also may attract leading tech transfer collaborations with foreign scientists in the industry to California. Some of these notable institutions outside California in the United States and abroad which have announced major support and breakthroughs in Stem Cell research include:
Hebrew University Terry Fox Lab
Duke University Medical School University of Michigan
Osaka University University of Rome
Children's Hospital Boston Salk Institute for Biological
Johns Hopkins University Studies
Hospital Baylor College of Medicine
Oregon Health and Science
University Duke University Medical Center
University of Lund Massachusetts Institute of
University of Tokyo Technology
University of Toronto
University of Edinburgh Max-Planck Institute of
Immunobiology
Carnegie Institute of Washington University of Washington
University of Wisconsin Monash University
Cancer Research UK Ian Wilmut Northwestern University
New York University Feinberg School of Medicine
Harvard University Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Centre for Stem Cell Biology,
University of Sheffield Riken Center for Development
University of Minnesota Stem Biology
Cell Institute The University of Adelaide
University of New South Wales University of Queensland
Howard Florey Institute Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
Much work remains to be done in terms of technology transfer and collaboration to import foreign Stem Cell technology in California. In order to unlock the therapeutic value of stem cells, and the funds generated by the initiative, leading California Stem Cell researchers should facilitate collaboration with the third party researchers. Notable Stem Cell research centers in California that can provide the most lucrative partnerships and resources to foreign institutions currently include California Institute of Technology, University of California, Children's Hospital, UCLA, Stanford University, and UC Irvine.
Recent medical research has revealed that human stem cells may provide breakthrough cures for many common diseases and injuries. Stem cells can potentially grow into any type of human tissue. Many scientists believe stem cells could someday be used to repair crippling spinal cord injuries and treat an array of diseases, including diabetes and Parkinson's.
Stem cells are "unspecialized" cells that have the ability to generate healthy new cells, tissues and organs. As a result, they have the potential to provide cures for diabetes, cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, HIV/AIDS, Parkinson's disease, ALS, osteoporosis, spinal cord injuries and many other devastating medical conditions. It's estimated that 128 million Americans suffer from diseases and injuries that could be treated or cured with stem cell therapies. These devastating medical conditions affect a child or adult in nearly half of all families.
About U.S. BioDefense
U.S. BioDefense is a Department of Defense central contractor that researches, develops, and commercializes leading-edge biotechnology. U.S. BioDefense recently announced a new stem cell separation and insertion technology license agreement with a major University. It has filed its Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Grant proposal Number C051-117-0060 with the Department of Defense Chemical Biological Defense Agency in response to SBIR (dodsbir.net) Topic number CBD05-117 'Stem Cell Technology and Autologous Bioengineered Skin for the Treatment of Cutaneous Vesicant Injury'. The National Institutes of Health Biodefense budget for Fiscal Year 2005 is over $1.7 Billion. U.S. BioDefense, Inc. recently entered into a Commercial Evaluation License Agreement with the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The biotechnology is related to a method for universal inactivation of viruses, parasites and tumor cells. These inactivated agents can be used as vaccines against the diseases caused by such viruses, parasites and tumor cells. Hence, the immunogenic of the agent as a whole is maintained and can be safely used for vaccination without the threat of infection. U.S. BioDefense, Inc. intends to conduct laboratory experiments under this Agreement to evaluate the suitability for commercial development. Furthermore, U.S. BioDefense, Inc. has agreed to provide the facilities, personnel, and expertise to evaluate the commercial applications. The company is in the process of publishing its white paper on Stem Cell technology transfer analyzing California University and industry participants intellectual property resources including ViaCell (Nasdaq:VIAC), Geron (Nasdaq:GERN), Aastrom Biosciences (Nasdaq:ASTM), and StemCells, Inc. (Nasdaq:STEM).
Safe Harbor Statement Forward-Looking Statements
Included in this release are certain "forward-looking" statements, involving risks and uncertainties, which are covered by the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding the U.S. BioDefense's financial performance. Such statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to certain factors, risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, events and performance to differ materially from those referred to or implied by such statements. In addition, actual future results may differ materially from those anticipated, depending on a variety of factors, including continued maintenance of favorable license arrangements, success of market research identifying new product opportunities, successful introduction of new products, continued product innovation, the success of enhancements to the U.S. BioDefense's brand image, sales and earnings growth, ability to attract and retain key personnel, and general economic conditions affecting consumer spending, including uncertainties relating to global political conditions, such as terrorism. Information with respect to important factors that should be considered is contained in the U.S. BioDefense's Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The U.S. BioDefense does not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this release to conform these statements to actual results or to changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law.