International Stem Cell Corporation (“ISCO” or “the Company”) is a biotechnology company focused on the therapeutic applications of human parthenogenetic stem cells (hpSCs) to treat diseases of the brain, liver, and the eye, as well as on the development and commercialization of cell-based research and cosmetic products.

ISCO’s Novel Stem Cell Technology 

ISCO is pioneering the development of a new class of stem cells—known as human parthenogenetic stem cells (hpSCs). The Company believes that these therapeutic stem cells avoid the safety, economic, and ethical concerns inherent with existing stem cell technologies. 

ISCO’s core proprietary technology, parthenogenesis, refers to a form of asexual reproduction in which an egg develops without being fertilized by a male gamete. The creation of hpSCs involves the stimulation of a human oocyte (egg) to start the cell division process without actual fertilization. Since the eggs are not fertilized, no viable human embryo is created nor destroyed for the generation of ISCO’s hpSC lines. In addition, according to the Company, the histocompatibility profile of hpSCs makes this the only stem cell platform capable of generating stem cell lines that can immune-match millions of people. The main medical, economic, and ethical benefits of hpSCs are summarized in the Figure below.

The Company’s therapeutic efforts for its hpSCs are concentrated in three markets where cell therapy has been clinically proven, but where there is a shortage of safe cells or tissue:

1. Parkinson’s disease;

2. inherited metabolic liver disease; and

3. corneal blindness.

ISCO believes these markets could have a combined revenue potential of over $5 billion. ISCO is also employing its proprietary stem cell technology to develop an stem cell bank, UniStemCell™, which already contains enough histocompatible stem cell lines to immune-match over 75 million people.

Revenue-Generating Therapeutic Programs

The Company produces and markets specialized cells and growth media for therapeutic research through its subsidiary Lifeline Cell Technology (www.lifelinecelltech.com) and SC-based skin care products through its subsidiary Lifeline Skin Care (www.lifelineskincare.com). During 2012, these companies generated approximately $4.6 million in sales. 

Business Model and Growth Strategy

ISCO uses its proprietary platform technology to operate under a novel business model for the biotechnology industry (see ISCO'S Business Model below). Specifically, the revenue-generating commercial operations of its subsidiary businesses (Lifeline Cell Technology and Lifeline Skin Care) support the development of the Company’s therapeutic programs and licensing opportunities. This model not only provides practical, short-term applications of the Company’s core technologies, but also generates financial resources to support further scientific research and development of ISCO’s therapeutic programs in Parkinson’s disease, metabolic liver disease, and corneal blindness. In addition, ISCO’s plans include the creation of an SC bank and, once it has proven the technology platform by developing the therapeutic treatments, the licensing of its technologies to third parties for the development of third-party treatments. 

Learn More About International Stem Cell Corporation

Crystal Research has published a 72-page Executive Information Overview® on International Stem Cell Corporation, which overviews the Company's products and technologies, as well as its growth strategy, intellectual property, management, competition, among other relevant information. A free copy of the report can be downloaded via ISCO's Corporate Profile. 

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