STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Oct. 19, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- InnovationsKapital:
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has granted the Swedish company Cellartis AB the second year of an infrastructure award for human embryonic stem cell (hESC) research. NIH's decision was based on the first year's achivement. This award provides funds for further characterization and expansion of existing cell lines that were derived before August 9, 2001 and thus meet the criteria for federal funding of research on human embryonic stem cell in the US. These efforts will significantly stimulate the use of these hESC in basic research.
"This continuation award is another quality approval of the research performed by Cellartis, Lund University and the Sahlgrenska Academy at Goteborg University," said Professor Henrik Semb, Lund University and Co-investigator in the NIH award.
At present, there is a general lack of highly characterised quality human embryonic stem cell lines worldwide and Cellartis is the only centre in Europe that is awarded a continuous infrastructural award from the NIH. Access to cell lines is important to researchers not only in the US but also in other parts of the world. "This award is important to Cellartis, not only for our collaborative efforts with US scientists but the award also expands our possibilities to work together with European scientist in several areas within the 6th Framework Programme of the European Community," says Johan Hyllner, COO of Cellartis AB and Principal Investigator in the NIH Award.
Lund University: Prof. Henrik Semb Section of Endocrinology Phone: +46 46 222 3159 Email: henrik.semb@endo.mas.lu.se
About Cellartis AB
Cellartis AB (formerly Cell Therapeutics Scandinavia) is a world leading partner for researchers and developers using defined human stem cells as a technology platform for drug discovery, toxicity testing and therapies in the pharmaceutical, chemical, biotech, biomaterials and cosmetics industries. The company is located in Gothenburg, Sweden and the network is now expanded to include academic research at numerous centres. The company recognises fully the need for careful, ethical application of stem cell technologies and has entered into several commercial agreements with local and international companies.
Cellartis AB, Arvid Wallgrens Backe 20 , SE-413 46 Goteborg, Sweden. Phone: +46 31 758 0902. Fax: +46 031 758 0910. Email: info@cellartis.com Internet: www.cellartis.com
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