International Stem Cell Corporation's Co-Chairman and CEO Andrey Semechkin PhD Publishes Letter to Shareholders

CARLSBAD, CA--(Marketwired - Jan 21, 2014) - International Stem Cell Corporation (OTCQB: ISCO), www.internationalstemcell.com, a California-based biotechnology company developing novel stem cell based therapies and biomedical products, announced today that Co-Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer Andrey Semechkin PhD has published an open letter to shareholders.

The letter provides an update on ISCO's Research and Development accomplishments, future expectations and anticipated milestones, along with a discussion of ISCO's expanded intellectual property portfolio and a summary of the company's commercial and financial performance for the first nine months of 2013.

The full text of the letter can be found at http://www.internationalstemcell.com/2014_Shareholder_Letter

About International Stem Cell Corporation

ISCO's lead indication is Parkinson's disease. The Parkinson's disease program uses human parthenogenetic neural stem cells (hPNSC) a novel therapeutic cellular product derived from the company's proprietary histocompatible human pluripotent stem cells. hPNSC are self-renewing mulitpotent cells that are precursors for the major cells of the central nervous system. The ability of hPNSC to (i) differentiate into dopaminergic (DA) neurons and (ii) express neurotrophic factors such as glial derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) to protect the nigrostriatal system, offers a new opportunity for the treatment of Parkinson's disease, especially in cases where current small molecule approaches fail to adequately control the symptoms.

International Stem Cell Corporation is focused on the therapeutic applications of human parthenogenetic stem cells (hpSCs) and the development and commercialization of cell-based research and cosmetic products. ISCO's core technology, parthenogenesis, results in the creation of pluripotent human stem cells from unfertilized oocytes (eggs) hence avoiding ethical issues associated with the use or destruction of viable human embryos. ISCO scientists have created the first parthenogenetic, homozygous stem cell line that can be a source of therapeutic cells for hundreds of millions of individuals of differing genders, ages and racial background with minimal immune rejection after transplantation. hpSCs offer the potential to create the first true stem cell bank, UniStemCellTM. ISCO also produces and markets specialized cells and growth media for therapeutic research worldwide through its subsidiary Lifeline Cell Technology (www.lifelinecelltech.com), and stem cell-based skin care products through its subsidiary Lifeline Skin Care (www.lifelineskincare.com). More information is available at www.internationalstemcell.com.

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Forward-looking Statements

Statements pertaining to anticipated developments, the potential benefits of research programs and products, the plans and anticipated results of product development initiatives, anticipated regulatory actions and other opportunities for the company and its subsidiaries, along with other statements about the future expectations, beliefs, goals, plans, or prospects expressed by management constitute forward-looking statements. Any statements that are not historical fact (including, but not limited to statements that contain words such as "will," "believes," "plans," "anticipates," "expects," "estimates,") should also be considered to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, risks inherent in the development and/or commercialization of potential products, regulatory approvals, need and ability to obtain future capital, application of capital resources among competing uses, and maintenance of intellectual property rights. Actual results may differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking statements and as such should be evaluated together with the many uncertainties that affect the company's business, particularly those mentioned in the cautionary statements found in the company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. The company disclaims any intent or obligation to update forward-looking statements.