NeoStem signs Collaborative Research Agreement with ImmuneRegen BioSciences

Apr 23 2010

NeoStem, Inc. ("NeoStem") (NYSE Amex: NBS), an international biopharmaceutical company with operations in the U.S. and China and ImmuneRegen BioSciences, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of IR BioSciences Holdings, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: IRBS), announced today that they have entered into a Collaborative Research Agreement, focused on the development of an advanced, adult human stem cell product. Under the agreement, NeoStem will investigate the effects of Homspera(R), ImmuneRegen's lead drug candidate, which has been shown to enhance stem cell activity, in combination with NeoStem's VSEL(TM) technology. Very small embryonic-like stem cells are a population of stem cells found in the bone marrow that can be mobilized and subsequently harvested from the peripheral blood of adults.

NeoStem is the first company to provide adult stem cell collection and banking services to the general adult population, and is pursuing the research and development of adult stem cell therapies, including therapies through the use of very small embryonic-like stem cells, for regenerative purposes, both in the U.S. and China, for a number of health conditions.

ImmuneRegen has previously reported on the effects of Homspera on the differentiation of human adult stem cells, particularly into hematopoietic stem cells that are capable of becoming blood cells and are the foundation of the body's immune system. Very small embryonic-like stem cells are also found in adults but may have broader applications and are morphologically closer to embryonic stem cells in their potential. NeoStem has the ability to harvest very small embryonic-like stem cells from individual patients, representing a significant step toward overcoming the two major limitations in the development of stem cell therapies today -- the ethical dilemma regarding use of embryonic stem cells, and the immunological problems associated with using cells from a donor.

Under the collaboration, NeoStem has the right to execute an option agreement to negotiate an exclusive license to resulting technology.

"We look forward to working with the ImmuneRegen team to evaluate the practical application of our exclusive VSEL(TM) technology and advance our effort in the development of adult stem cell-based therapies," said Robin Smith, M.D., NeoStem's Chairman and CEO. "Very small embryonic-like stem cells have the potential to improve the diagnosis and treatment of many diseases, including neural, cardiac, orthopedic disorders, and the Company is committed to advancing the broad potential applications of the VSEL(TM) technology for diagnostic and therapeutic uses internally and through additional collaborative partnerships in the U.S. and China."

"Collaborating with NeoStem will allow ImmuneRegen to accelerate the development of Homspera(R) for adult stem cell applications while, in parallel, supporting other clinical applications of Homspera," said Hal Siegel, Ph.D., ImmuneRegen's Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer. "Based on our previous findings that Homspera enhances the development of adult hematopoietic stem cells, we are eager to move forward into broader applications using VSEL(TM) technology with NeoStem. Additionally, marketing opportunities in China are especially interesting for these novel stem cell applications."