International Stem Cell Corporation's Liver Program Receives Award

CARLSBAD, CA--(Marketwired - Dec 18, 2013) - International Stem Cell Corporation (OTCQB: ISCO), a California-based biotechnology company developing novel stem cell based therapies, today announced that it was awarded the Presidential Poster of Distinction by the American Association for the Study of Liver Disease (AASLD) at the 64th Annual Liver Meeting in Washington, D.C.

The data reported in this pre-clinical study demonstrated that transplantation of hpSC-derived hepatocytes cells (HLCs) elicits a significant decrease and long-term stabilization of bilirubin levels in the serum of Gunn rats, a well-established animal model of Crigler-Najjar syndrome type 1 (CN1), an inborn error of bilirubin metabolism. Moreover, at four months following treatment no adverse safety signals were detected.

CN1 is a rare inherited liver-based metabolic disorder in which the host liver lacks one hepatic enzyme, UGT1A1, essential for the conjugation and excretion of the toxin bilirubin. This pre-clinical study provides important supportive evidence of the potential safety and efficacy of HLCs which could constitute a reliable source for large numbers of transplantable cells. In the long-term, experience with HLC transplantation for CN1 could potentially be used to develop therapeutic strategies for more common inherited liver diseases.

"Being awarded such a prestigious honor is a testament to the quality of our scientific team at ISCO," said Ruslan Semechkin, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of ISCO. "The data presented at this conference demonstrates the unique nature of our HLCs and their potential efficacy in a clinical setting."

About International Stem Cell Corporation

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, UniStemCell™. 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.

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.

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