NEWARK, Calif., Nov. 3, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- StemCells, Inc. (Nasdaq:STEM), who pioneered the discovery and development of HuCNS-SC® cells, a proprietary population of highly purified, expandable human neural stem cells and is leading the development of cell based therapies for the treatment of disorders of the central nervous system, today announced that it will host its first investor and analyst event in New York, November 20, 2014.
"Our Company has begun the transformation from small, uncontrolled Phase I clinical trials to controlled, Phase II proof of concept studies for dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cervical spinal cord injury. I am very excited to host our inaugural investor and analyst event which will allow us to showcase our unique technology, provide an update on our clinical progress and lay out our plans for the next phase of clinical development," said Martin McGlynn, president and CEO of StemCells, Inc. "We continue to gain insight into the capabilities of our proprietary HuCNS-SC cellular platform through both preclinical research and clinical trials and we will be providing new data on both fronts. A key feature of the event is to allow broad access to the conference via webcast, and web based participants will be able to interact in the question and answer session."
The program will feature a keynote address from Irving L. Weissman M.D., member of the board of directors and chairman of the scientific advisory board StemCells, Inc. In addition, there will be presentations from members of the management team and principle investigators from both of the ongoing clinical trials, dry age-related macular degeneration and spinal cord injury. Presenters will include:
- Irving L. Weissman, M.D., Professor of Pathology and Developmental Biology, Stanford University; Director of the Stanford Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Director of the Stanford Ludwig Center for Cancer Stem Cell Research and Chairman Scientific Advisory Board member of StemCells, Inc.
- Ann Tsukamoto, Ph.D., Executive Vice President, Scientific and Strategic Alliances, StemCells, Inc.
- Stephen Huhn, M.D., FACS, FAAP, Vice President, CNS Clinical Research and Chief Medical Officer, StemCells, Inc.
- Alexandra Capela, Ph.D., Director, Neurobiology, StemCells, Inc.
- Raphael Guzman M.D., Professor of Neurosurgery and Neurosciences, Vice Chair Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Basel Switzerland
- Richard Rosen M.D., Vice Chair and Director of Ophthalmology, Research Surgeon, Director and Chief of Retinal Services, New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai
The experts will discuss the science and biology of HuCNS-SC human neural stem cells as well as clinical perspectives on the ongoing clinical trials in spinal cord injury and dry AMD. Interim data updates will be provided on both of the ongoing clinical trials, spinal cord injury and dry AMD. Management will review the protocol design of the Phase II efficacy studies in spinal cord injury and dry AMD and conduct a Q&A session at the conclusion of the presentations.
Webcast
StemCells, Inc. will host a live webcast of the investor and analyst event, Thursday, November 20, at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (9:00 a.m. Pacific Standard Time).
Interested parties are invited to listen to the call over the Internet by accessing the Investors section of the Company's website at www.stemcellsinc.com or accessing the link listed below. Webcast participants should allot extra time before the webcast begins to register and, if necessary, download and install audio software.
| Event: | StemCells, Inc. Investor and Analyst Event | |
| Date: | Thursday, November 20, 2014 | |
| Time: | 12:00 PM EST (9:00 AM PST) | |
| Live webcast: | http://www.media-server.com/m/p/m8h3mw5w | |
An archived version of the webcast will be available for replay on the Company's website beginning approximately two hours following the conclusion of the live call and continuing for a period of 30 days.
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 platform technology, 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 has completed enrolment in 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 eight patients. The Company has also completed enrolment in a Phase I/II clinical trial in dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in the United States and has reported positive interim data on the first seven patients. 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 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, 2013 and in its subsequent reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K.