Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. ("ACT"; OTCBB: ACTCD), a leader
in the field of regenerative medicine, announced today the addition
of five leading scientists to its new Scientific Advisory Board.
The Board will be chaired by Robert Langer, ScD, David H. Koch
Institute Professor at MIT and member of ACT’s Board of
Directors.
"We are honored to welcome such esteemed colleagues to our new
Scientific Advisory Board," said Robert Lanza, MD, Chief Scientific
Officer at ACT, “The Company will benefit greatly from their new
perspectives and diversity of experience and together they bring
extensive expertise in cell biology, clinical translation, and the
broader field of regenerative medicine. Together with Dr. Langer,
the new Board spans the continuum from laboratory and translational
research to drugs and biologics development through clinical
trials. Dr. Lanza added “ACT is at the forefront of regenerative
medicine and plans to initiate phase 2 clinical trials for the
treatment of Stargardt’s macular degeneration (SMD) and age-related
macular degeneration (AMD). The Company has made substantial
progress in these areas and as advisors, the SAB will be critical
in harnessing creativity with scientific rigor to help steer the
Company in its pursuit of discovery and development of novel
therapies for patients in need.”
The members of the Scientific Advisory Board are:
Constance Cepko, PhD, Bullard Professor of Genetics
and Neuroscience, Departments of Genetics
and Ophthalmology, and Co-Director, Leder Human Biology
and Translational Medicine at Harvard Medical School. Dr.
Cepko is an Investigator at the Howard Hughes
Medical Institute and a member of the National Academy of
Sciences. Her work has earned her honors ranging from induction to
the American Academy of Arts and Sciences to the Alfred W. Bressler
Prize in Vision Science for her work in retina development.
George Daley, MD, PhD, Samuel E. Lux IV Professor of
Hematology/Oncology at Boston Children’s Hospital and Professor of
Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology at Harvard
Medical School, and past-President of the International Society for
Stem Cell Research (ISSCR). Dr. Daley is an Investigator at the
Howard Hughes Medical Institute and a member of the Institute of
Medicine of the National Academies. He has received numerous
awards, including the NIH Director’s Pioneer Award, the Judson
Daland Prize from the American Philosophical Society, and the E.
Donnall Thomas Prize of the American Society for Hematology for
advances in human induced pluripotent stem cells.
John Gearhart, PhD, James W. Effron University Professor
and the Director of the Institute for Regenerative Medicine at the
University of Pennsylvania. In 1998, Dr. Gearhart and his team
published the first report on the derivation of pluripotent stem
cells from human germ cells. Dr. Gearhart serves on numerous
advisory boards and committees of foundations, institutes and
professional societies involved in stem cell research and policy
and science outreach and has served as a consultant for many
governmental agencies, in states, at the national level and to
governments of foreign countries.
Robert Langer, ScD, David H. Koch Institute Professor at
MIT, is the only person ever to receive both the US National Medal
of Science and the United States National Medal of Technology and
Innovation as well as being elected to all three United States
National Academies, and has served as a member and Chairman of the
FDA's Science Board, its highest advisory board. He has received
numerous honors and awards, including the Breakthrough Prize, the
Wolf Prize in chemistry, the Kyoto Prize, the Millennium Technology
Prize, and 22 honorary doctorates.
Michael Longaker, MD, Deane P. and Louise Mitchell
Professor, Vice Chair of the Department of Surgery, Director of the
Program in Regenerative Medicine, and Co-Director of the Institute
of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine at Stanford
University. Dr. Longaker has broad expertise in the areas of
developmental biology, tissue engineering, and stem cell biology.
He is a member of the Institute of Medicine of the National
Academies, and recipient of the Flance-Karl Award from the American
Surgical Association and the Jacobson Promising Investigation Award
from the American College of Surgeons.
Joseph Vacanti, MD, John Homans Professor of Surgery and
Director of the Laboratory for Tissue Engineering and Organ
Fabrication at Harvard Medical School and the Massachusetts General
Hospital. Dr. Vacanti is a member of Institute of Medicine of the
National Academies, and has received numerous awards and honors,
including the Thomas G. Sheen Award and the James Bartlett Brown
Award from the Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and
the Clemson Award from the Society for Biomaterials.
“This group represents some of the best minds in stem cell
research and regenerative medicine,” stated Robert Langer, ScD,
Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board. “Their knowledge and
expertise will help guide the Company’s strategic direction and
identify the most promising scientific programs ranging from
discovering new therapeutic cell types to developing treatments
that could significantly improve the lives of those suffering from
debilitating diseases. Over the years, ACT’s scientists have made
important advances in the development and underlying science of
stem cell-based therapies. The Board’s contribution will play an
important role in advancing these scientific programs to the
clinic.”
About Advanced Cell Technology, Inc.
Advanced Cell Technology, Inc., (ACT) is a clinical stage
biotechnology company focused on the development and
commercialization of regenerative medicine and cell therapy
technology. The company’s most advanced products are in clinical
trials for the treatment of dry age-related macular degeneration,
Stargardt’s macular degeneration and myopic macular degeneration.
ACT’s preclinical programs involve cell therapies for the treatment
of other ocular disorders and for diseases outside the field of
ophthalmology, including autoimmune, inflammatory and wound
healing-related disorders. The company’s intellectual property
portfolio includes pluripotent stem cell platforms – hESC and
induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) – and other cell therapy
research programs. For more information, visit
www.advancedcell.com
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this news release regarding future financial and
operating results, the relevance and applicability of clinical
trials in animals to studying the effect of products in humans,
future growth in animal and human research and development
programs, potential new applications of and expanded indications
covering our technology, the effects of donorless sources of stem
cells on potency and the risk of communicable diseases in the
manufacturing context, the existence and size of potential or
existing market opportunities for the company, the effect of the
company’s products on the medical needs and quality of life of
pets, and any other statements about the future expectations,
beliefs, goals, plans, or prospects expressed by management
constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements
that are not statements of historical fact (including statements
containing the words “will,” “believes,” “plans,” “anticipates,”
“expects,” “estimates,” and similar expressions) should also be
considered to be forward-looking statements. There are a number of
important factors that could cause actual results or events to
differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking
statements, including: limited operating history, need for and
limited sources of future capital, failures or delays in obtaining
regulatory approval of products, risks inherent in the development
and commercialization of potential products, reliance on new and
unproven technology in the development of products, protection of
our intellectual property, and economic conditions generally.
Additional information on potential factors that could affect our
results and other risks and uncertainties are detailed from time to
time in the company’s periodic reports, including the Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the three and six months ended June 30,
2013. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs,
opinions, and expectations of the company’s management at the time
they are made, and the company does not assume any obligation to
update its forward-looking statements if those beliefs, opinions,
expectations, or other circumstances should change. Forward-looking
statements are based on the beliefs, opinions, and expectations of
the company’s management at the time they are made, and the company
does not assume any obligation to update its forward-looking
statements if those beliefs, opinions, expectations, or other
circumstances should change. There can be no assurance that the
Company’s clinical trials will be successful.
Investors:Westwicke PartnersJohn Woolford,
443-213-0506orPress:Russo PartnersDavid Schull, 212-845-4271