StemCells is engaged in the research, development, and commercialization of cell-based therapeutics for use in stem-cell based research and drug discovery. The company’s lead therapeutic product candidate, HuCNS-SC cells, is currently in development as a potential treatment for a broad range of central nervous system disorders.

The company reported today that the twelve-month data from the first patient cohort in its Phase I/II clinical trial of its proprietary HuCNS-SC product candidate (purified human neural stem cells) for chronic spinal cord injury continued to show a favorable safety profile. In addition, it demonstrated the considerable gains in sensory function in two of the three patients at the six-month assessment have persisted. The third patient remains stable.

The persistent of sensory gains in these patients in the chronic stage of complete spinal injury is positive. Importantly, the gains were seen across more than one clinical measure. And for the first time, a patient with a complete spinal cord injury has been converted to a patient with an incomplete injury following transplantation of neural stem cells. This was completely unexpected.

StemCells is encouraged that the transplanted cells appear to convey clinical benefits in such a severely injured patient. The company is hopeful it will see similar benefits in other patients, but StemCells knows more clinical research needs to be done to demonstrate efficacy.

For additional information about StemCells and HuCNS-SC, please visit www.stemcellsinc.com

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