Results Published in PLOS One Online

Ocata Therapeutics, Inc. (OCAT), a leader in the field of regenerative medicine, reported today that early research was published in the journal PLOS One (online, December 21, 2015) by Ocata and its collaborators at the University of Miami, UCSD, and Stanford University. The publication presents a method for generating scalable amounts of human embryonic stem cell derived corneal endothelial cells (hESC-CEC).

“Disease and injury to the cornea are leading causes of blindness worldwide,” said Robert Lanza, M.D., Chief Scientific Officer of Ocata and senior author of the paper. “Unfortunately, many people are left visually impaired or blind due to lack of available donor corneas. We have developed a simple, two-step method for generating amounts of hESC-CECs, in-vitro, which does not rely on donor corneas.” Dr. Lanza added, “The ability to manufacture these cells from a single, replenishable stem cell source may provide a potential solution to the worldwide shortage of transplantable corneal tissue. As we near the completion of our acquisition by Astellas, I am excited about the possibility of moving this early research into pre-clinical studies in the future.”

About Ocata Therapeutics, Inc.

Ocata Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialization of regenerative ophthalmology therapeutics. Ocata’s most advanced products are in clinical trials for the treatment of Stargardt’s macular degeneration, dry age-related macular degeneration, and myopic macular degeneration. Ocata’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.ocata.com.

Additional Information

This communication is provided for informational purposes only. No statement in this document is an offer to purchase or a solicitation of an offer to sell securities. Any offers to purchase or solicitation of offers to sell will be made only pursuant to the Tender Offer Statement on Schedule TO (including the Offer to Purchase, the Letter of Transmittal and other documents relating to the Offer) that Astellas Pharma Inc. and Laurel Acquisition Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on November 19, 2015. In addition, Ocata Therapeutics, Inc. (“Ocata”) filed a Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9 with respect to the Tender Offer Statement on November 19, 2015. THE TENDER OFFER STATEMENT (INCLUDING THE OFFER TO PURCHASE, A RELATED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND OTHER OFFER DOCUMENTS) AND THE SOLICITATION/RECOMMENDATION STATEMENT CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION THAT SHOULD BE READ CAREFULLY AND CONSIDERED BY OCATA’S STOCKHOLDERS BEFORE ANY DECISION IS MADE WITH RESPECT TO THE OFFER. Such documents have been made available to Ocata’s stockholders at no expense to them at www.ocata.com. In addition, you may obtain copies of these documents (and all other Offer Documents filed with the SEC) at no charge on the SEC’s website: www.sec.gov. OCATA’S STOCKHOLDERS ARE ADVISED TO READ THE SCHEDULE TO AND THE SCHEDULE 14D-9, AS EACH MAY BE AMENDED OR SUPPLEMENTED FROM TIME TO TIME, AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT OFFER DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC BEFORE THEY MAKE ANY DECISION WITH RESPECT TO THE OFFER, BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION AND THE PARTIES THERETO.

Forward-Looking Statements

All statements, other than historical facts, contained in this news release, including statements regarding Ocata’s belief regarding the ability to manufacture scalable amounts of hESC-CECs using a method that does not rely on donor corneas, Ocata’s belief that such method will provide a potential solution to the worldwide shortage of transplantable corneal tissue, the completion of Ocata’s acquisition by Astellas and the effects thereof, Ocata’s belief that after the acquisition the company will be able to fund early stage programs comprehensively through development, and any other statements about Ocata’s future expectations, beliefs, goals, plans, results 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: the fact that Ocata has no product revenue and no products approved for marketing; Ocata’s limited operating history; Ocata’s need for and limited sources of future capital; potential 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; the need to protect Ocata’s intellectual property; the challenges associated with conducting and enrolling clinical trials; the risk that the results of clinical trials may not support Ocata’s product candidate claims; the risk that physicians and patients may not accept or use Ocata’s products, even if approved; Ocata’s reliance on third parties to conduct its clinical trials and to formulate and manufacture its product candidates; 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 Ocata’s periodic reports, including the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, opinions, and expectations of Ocata’s management at the time they are made, and Ocata 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 Ocata’s management at the time they are made, and Ocata 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 Ocata’s future clinical trials will be successful or that the results of previous clinical studies will lead to commercialization or products or therapies.

Investors:Westwicke PartnersJohn Woolford, 443-213-0506john.woolford@westwicke.comorPress:Russo PartnersDavid Schull, 858-717-2310david.schull@russopartnersllc.com

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