StemLifeLine Introduces First Service Allowing IVF Patients to Develop Client Stem Cell Lines
Bay Area Company Granted Tissue Bank License from State of California
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., May 29, 2007 – StemLifeLine, a Bay Area-based life sciences company, announced today that it received approval from the California Department of Health Services (CDHS) to engage in the operation of a tissue bank in accordance with Division 2, Chapter 4.1 of the Health and Safety Code. With this Tissue Bank license, individuals who have undergone in vitro fertilization (IVF) may now use StemLifeLine’s service to develop personal stem cell lines from their remaining stored embryos. StemLifeLine is the first life sciences company to offer this unique service through IVF centers.
“Developing a personal stem cell line is like buying insurance for the future,” stated Ana Krtolica, Ph.D., cofounder, CEO and chief scientific officer (CSO) of StemLifeLine. “Until now, there have been only three options for frozen embryos remaining from the in vitro fertilization process. They could be donated to research, given up for ‘adoption’ to other couples or discarded. With our approved California Tissue Bank license, we can now offer IVF patients the option to derive and preserve their own stem cell line for their future use.”
Using a multi-stage process, and patented technologies, StemLifeLine works to derive the stem cells from frozen embryos remaining from in vitro fertilization. If successful, the stem cells are then grown or “cultured” in the laboratory under clean lab conditions, which follow current good tissue practices (cGTP). After successfully working with StemLifeLine, clients will have access to their own high quality, genetically-matched stem cells, which they may use in the future if stem cell therapies become available.
“StemLifeLine’s innovative service offers a valuable new alternative to those individuals who still have remaining frozen embryos after completing their assisted reproductive technology goals,” said Paolo Rinaudo, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences and IVF specialist at the University of California, San Francisco. “With this new option, StemLifeLine is advancing reproductive science and remains on the forefront of stem cell derivation practices.”
StemLifeLine offers its services only through in vitro fertilization clinics. Those interested in this service may visit the company website at http://www.stemlifeline.com/ or contact StemLifeLine directly by phone at (650) 592-STEM or e-mail to make appropriate arrangements to initiate services.
About human Embryonic Stem Cells (hESC)
More than a decade of scientific data strongly supports the future use of embryonic stem cells for treating a variety of diseases and degenerative conditions, such as those induced by spinal cord injury, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, and heart disease. Embryonic stem cells are derived from embryos that have been fertilized in vitro in a laboratory usually for the purpose of in vitro fertilization. These stem cells have very specific benefits:
- They can grow indefinitely and form virtually any cell type in the human body, a trait that is referred to as “pluripotency.” For example stem cells can form liver, muscle or brain cells and can have more than one potential outcome.
- They are the original building blocks of the body’s various organs and tissues, and their development into particular tissues is known as cell differentiation.
- They may be used to treat multiple individuals. Due to their unlimited growth potential, they can be propagated, or multiplied, to produce as many cells as needed.
Additional information regarding stem cell research may be found at the StemLifeLine website at http://www.stemlifeline.com/.
About StemLifeLine
StemLifeLine is a San Francisco Bay Area life sciences company that offers individuals who have undergone in vitro fertilization a unique option to develop personal stem cell lines from their remaining stored embryos. In May 2007, StemLifeLine received notification of approval for a tissue bank license from the California Department of Health Services.
StemLifeLine uses patented technologies to produce and store therapeutic-grade stem cells for its clients and follows current good tissue practices (cGTP) in all its laboratories. cGTPs provide guidelines for the clean environment and conditions in which stem cells are derived and cultured. All processes are documented and follow standard operating procedures that mirror state, national and international standards for stem cell clinical facilities and banks. In addition, both the National Academy of Sciences and the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) set ethical guidelines followed by the company.1
StemLifeLine was founded in 2005 by a group of internationally recognized experts in the study of human embryonic stem cell derivation and in vitro fertilization. The company was funded by private investments secured by business angel and entrepreneur, Martin Velasco, Geneva, Switzerland. As cofounder and member of StemLifeLine’s Executive Board, Velasco guides and supports the company’s launch strategy and maintains an active role in its ongoing vision and success.
For additional information, please visit the StemLifeLine website at http://www.stemlifeline.com/.
Contact
Contact: Amy Berry
CoActive Public Relations
415-793-2258
aberry@coactivepr.com
(1) http://dels.nas.edu/bls/stemcells/input.php
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