Study on Plasma-Depleted Cord Blood Transplantation Receives Best Abstract Award from the National Marrow Donor Program

Dr. Auayporn Nademanee of City of Hope leads study showing efficacy of novel therapy

The abstract describes the safety and effectiveness of transplanting single or double plasma-depleted umbilical cord blood units into adult patients with cancers of the blood. All of the plasma-depleted cord blood was processed and shipped from the StemCyte International Cord Blood Center in Arcadia, CA. Dr. Nademanee says, “Patients treated with plasma-depleted cord blood demonstrated excellent outcomes in terms of overall survival, transplant-related mortality, and the absence of complications such as graft-versus-host disease. We believe that plasma-depleted cord blood will continue to be an effective treatment for patients with leukemia, lymphoma, and other malignant indications.”

Dr. Chow says, “We thank NMDP for selecting ours as one of their Best Abstracts. We are heartened to see the outstanding patient outcomes using StemCyte's plasma-depleted cord blood products. However, none of these results would be possible without the tremendous care given to patients by physicians like Dr. Nademanee at City of Hope. We are gratified to have the support and confidence of physicians at City of Hope and other leading transplant centers around the world.” StemCyte has shipped cord blood products to over 140 of the leading transplant centers in 32 countries around the world.

About StemCyte
StemCyte, Inc. operates as both an international umbilical stem cell storage bank and a therapeutics company. Stem cells are used to replace or initiate the production of other cells that are damaged or missing due to disease. StemCyte collects, processes and banks umbilical cord blood ("UCB") stem cells to be used as therapeutic treatments. The Company currently operates UCB storage banks in California and Taiwan and is expanding its locations into other regions around the globe. In addition, the Company is pursuing collaborations with a number of leading stem cell researchers to improve and expand the treatment opportunities using stem cells.

UCB stem cells are a non-controversial and readily available source of stem cells, harvested from umbilical cords that would otherwise be discarded. To date, UCB stem cells have been used in approximately 8,000 transplants worldwide and have successfully treated certain cancers (e.g., leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma), blood disorders (e.g., thalassemia, sickle cell anemia and Fanconi anemia) and immune deficiency diseases. StemCyte and its scientific founder have developed proprietary processes to ensure that the least number of stem cells are lost post-collection and post-thaw. Studies have shown that successful patient engraftment and survival outcome are directly correlated to the number of stem cells provided. StemCyte's stem cells are currently being used to treat three to four patients per week and the Company recently released its 600th cord blood stem cell shipment for transplant. With an inventory of over 25,000 units, the Company's stem cell banks represent one of the largest and most ethnically diverse sources of unrelated (allogeneic) UCB stem cells.

StemCyte's therapeutic activities involve expanding the use of UCB stem cells in indications where stem cells are already an FDA-approved therapy, validating the engraftment and survival benefits of its proprietary stem cell processing technology and participating in clinical trials for new transplant indications. New indications include thalassemia, a devastating red blood cell deficiency diagnosed in over 150,000 babies each year with severe forms of the disease, and non-blood-based disorders, including neurodegenerative diseases.

StemCyte has received accreditation from the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB), the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP), and Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT) for allogeneic donations, and has the only cord blood bank in the world accredited by FACT for autologous donations. StemCyte is one of only six banks to have been selected to participate in the C.W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation Program under the initial $79 million authorized by Congress in the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act of 2005.

StemCyte is privately-held. Visit www.stemcyte.com for more information.

About City of Hope
City of Hope is a leading research and treatment center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases. Designated as a Comprehensive Cancer Center, the highest honor bestowed by the National Cancer Institute, and a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, City of Hope's research and treatment protocols advance care throughout the nation. City of Hope is located in Duarte, Calif., just northeast of Los Angeles, and is ranked as one of “America's Best Hospitals” in cancer and urology by U.S.News & World Report. Founded in 1913, City of Hope is a pioneer in the fields of bone marrow transplantation and genetics. For more information, visit www.cityofhope.org.