A Notice of Allowance was issued to the University of California by the
United States Patent & Trademark Office (“USPTO”)
for composition of matter claims pending in a patent application
licensed by Cytori Therapeutics (NASDAQ: CYTX). The allowed claims cover
a population of stem cells, progenitor cells and other replicating
cells, which can be obtained from human adipose tissue.
The allowed patent broadens Cytori’s current
patent portfolio for adipose-derived cell therapies and strengthens
Cytori’s ability to freely develop future
therapeutics. The cells covered by the allowed claims are believed to
encompass a clinically important subpopulation of cells within adipose
tissue. The subpopulation of human cells described in the patent was
defined by characterizing specific cell surface markers for cells, which
posses the ability to self replicate and differentiate toward one or
more lineages.
Specifically, the newly allowed claims are directed to cells expressing
certain combinations of STRO-1+, CD29+, CD44+, CD71+, CD49D+, CD90+,
CD105+, SH3, CD45-, CD31- and low or undetectable levels of CD106. Such
cell surface marker studies are a robust method of describing stem and
other cells. The University of California and the University of
Pittsburgh jointly own the patent application containing these allowed
claims.
The allowed patent application is distinct from the issued, allowed, and
pending patents and patent applications related to Cytori’s
Celution® System. The Celution System product
platform is protected by a family of patents related to U.S. Patent No.
7,390,484 (“the ‘484
patent”) issued in June 2008. The ‘484
patent describes the Celution System technology which processes
adipose-derived stem and regenerative cells at a patient’s
bedside. U.S. Patent No. 7,429,488 covers Celution-based methods for
cosmetic and reconstructive surgery applications. Allowed U.S. patents
cover Cytori’s StemSource®
Cell Banking platform and methods to create wide-ranging therapeutic
formulations of the Celution output.
Cytori is building barriers-to-entry for its Celution based platform
through a large intellectual property portfolio, proprietary know-how
and trade secrets, as well as its business relationships.
About Cytori
Cytori’s (NASDAQ: CYTX) goal is to be the
global leader in regenerative medicine. The company is dedicated to
providing patients with new options for reconstructive surgery,
developing treatments for cardiovascular disease, and banking patients’
adult stem and regenerative cells. The Celution®
800 System is being introduced in Europe into the reconstructive surgery
market while the Celution®
900 System is commercialize globally for cryopreserving a patient's own
stem and regenerative cells. Clinical trials are ongoing in
cardiovascular disease and planned for spinal disc degeneration,
gastrointestinal disorders, and other unmet medical needs.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes forward-looking statements regarding events,
trends and business prospects, which may affect our future operating
results and financial position. Such statements are subject to risks and
uncertainties that could cause our actual results and financial position
to differ materially. Some of these risks and uncertainties include our
history of operating losses, the need for further financing, regulatory
uncertainties regarding the collection and results of, clinical data,
dependence on third party performance, and other risks and uncertainties
described under the "Risk Factors" in Cytori’s
Securities and Exchange Commission Filings. We assume no responsibility
to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events,
trends or circumstances after the date they are made.
Cytori Therapeutics
Tom Baker, 858-875-5258
tbaker@cytoritx.com
