19.01.2011 – 14:02

International Society for Cellular Therapy

International Society for Cellular Therapy (ISCT) Launches Inaugural Cell Therapy Commercial Development Focus Group on Peripheral Vascular Disease

Vancouver (ots/PRNewswire)

In keeping with its
commitment to connect industry, regulatory experts, therapeutic
societies and translational centers to advance emerging cellular
therapies, ISCT announces its first commercial development focus
group addressing Cell Therapies for Peripheral Vascular Disease
(PVD).

PVD is a condition in which the arteries that carry blood to the
arms or legs become narrowed or clogged. In a primary care population
defined by age and common risk factors the prevalence of PVD is
approximately one in three(1). Critical Limb Ischemia (CLI) is a very
severe condition of PVD with patients suffering severe pain and skin
ulcers which can lead to limb amputation. CLI has a 15-30% mortality
rate at 5 years.(2)

To address this debilitating condition ISCT has created a
progressive forum to unite an expert panel and facilitate in depth,
open discussion of whether, and how, cell therapy can meet the unmet
needs of these patients. The focus group will take place in New York,
USA January 21 2011 in partnership with the Cardiovascular Research
Foundation (http://www.crf.org), sponsor of the Sixth International
Conference on Cell Therapy for Cardiovascular Disease.

"As we enter the era of 300+ patient Phase 3 studies, it is
crucial for the research community to identify appropriate end points
that correlate with meaningful clinical outcomes," said Warren
Sherman, MD, Director, Regenerative Cardiovascular Research at The
Jack H. Skirball Center for Cardiovascular Research. "From there,
trial design can be optimized to assess clinical efficacy and,
hopefully, improve outcomes of patients with CLI. These patients have
a very poor prognosis. To help them with cell-based therapy would be
a huge advance, and would have implications for patients with
vascular disease of other organ systems."

Ed Horwitz, M.D. PhD, President of ISCT strongly agreed, "the
launch of this series of focus groups is the latest initiative
through which ISCT is building alignment with academia and industry
to expedite the development and maturation of the field and
ultimately bring cell therapy treatments to patients faster. It is
ISCT's intent that the international field of cell therapy and
regenerative medicine will be able to benefit from the focus groups
through public open access to the final report and outcomes as
published in per reviewed journals."

Visit http://www.celltherapyfocusgroups.com for further
information on the agenda and registration details.

The ISCT focus group initiative follows the successful launch of
ISCT's Industry Community in August 2010. See: ISCT - Media.
(http://www.celltherapysociety.org/index.php/about-us/media)

ISCT welcomes the following new corporate members into the
Industry Community for 2011:

Patrons: Aastrom Biosciences Inc., BD Biosciences Inc. BioLife
Solutions Inc., Pfizer Regenerative Medicine, Pluristem Therapuetics
Inc. Partners; CaridianBCT Inc., Sartorius Stedim Biotech GmbH.,
STEMCELL Technologies Inc. Supporters: CellGenix GmbH., Pharmacell
B.V. Members: Apceth GmbH & Co. Preservation Solutions Inc, Beike
Biotechnology Co.Ltd., DCi Biotech Inc., Tengion Inc., STEMSOFT
Software Inc., ZMKS International Cancer Therapy Biotechnology Co.
Ltd.

The complete list of members can be viewed on the Industry
Community page of http://www.celltherapysociety.org

ISCT is a global association driving the translation of
scientific research to deliver innovative cellular therapies to
patients. Established in 1992, its membership and leadership
comprises world-class scientists, clinicians, technologists,
biotech/pharma and regulatory professionals from around the world
focused on pre-clinical and translational aspects of developing cell
therapy products.

References

1. Hirsch AT et al. JAMA. 2001;286:1317-1324

2. Hirsch AT et al. Circulation. 2006;113:e463-654

For further information:
    Robert Deans
    Chair, ISCT Commercialization Committee
    Senior VP of Regenerative Medicine
    Athersys, Inc
    +1-216-526-2433 cell
     rdeans@athersys.com
    Jane Arthurs
    ISCT Executive Director
    +1-604-630-5495
     Jane@celltherapysociety.org

Contact:

CONTACT: For further information: Robert Deans, Chair,
ISCTCommercialization Committee, Senior VP of Regenerative Medicine,
Athersys,Inc, +1-216-526-2433 cell, rdeans@athersys.com; Jane
Arthurs, ISCTExecutive Director, +1-604-630-5495,
Jane@celltherapysociety.org