ACT Secures First Patent for Generating Hemangioblast Cells to Treat a Broad Spectrum of Vascular and Hematopoietic Disorders

MARLBOROUGH, Mass., Sept. 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. ("ACT"; OTCBB: ACTC), a leader in the field of regenerative medicine, announced today that it has been issued a patent (patent number 8,017,393) for the Company's proprietary method for generating and expanding hemangioblast cells from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs).  ACT holds an exclusive license to commercialize the patented technology in North America through an agreement with Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine International (SCRMI), a joint venture between ACT and CHA Bio & Diostech Co, Ltd (CHA Biotech), a leading South Korean biotechnology company.  Hemangioblasts are precursor cells that can generate a broad spectrum of important blood, immune, and vascular cell types, including red blood cells, platelets, blood vessels, and mesenchymal stem cells, which have powerful immune-modulatory effects and can make bone and cartilage among other replacement tissues.

"This is the first U.S. patent on the commercial production of hemangioblast cells, and puts another important piece in place for protecting our hemangioblast program and establishing a firm intellectual property position around the therapeutic products we are developing," stated Gary Rabin, ACT's chairman and CEO.  "We are steadily moving toward the clinic with several cell therapy products that are manufactured from hemangioblasts.  Having robust patent protection around our manufacturing process is an integral part of the equation for securing investment in these programs."

The hemangioblast cells covered by the new patent are highly expandable and have been shown to consistently and reproducibly give rise to a multitude of cells of the hematopoietic (blood) and endothelial (vascular) lineages.  A recent scientific publication shows that hESC-derived hemangioblasts can differentiate into functional megakaryocytes and platelets on a large scale. The hESC-platelets displayed features that were indistinguishable from those of normal blood platelets, and participated in both clot formation and retraction in vitro.

"This technology has enormous clinical potential," said Robert Lanza, M.D., chief scientific officer of ACT. "These hemangio-colony forming cells are one of the most powerful types of cells known. They are useful in a variety of clinical settings, such as providing transfusable blood and platelets for emergency medical situations. Our preclinical research has also shown that hemangioblasts can repair vascular damage, including complications associated with diabetes, heart disease, and peripheral artery disease.  Importantly, hESC-derived hemangioblasts can provide an unlimited source of 'off-the-shelf' mesenchymal stem cells – which among their many potential applications − have been shown to repair damage after myocardial infarction, osteoarthritis, and to alleviate the debilitating symptoms of autoimmune diseases such as Crohn's (irritable bowel syndrome) and multiple sclerosis, among others."

About Advanced Cell Technology, Inc.

Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. is a biotechnology company applying cellular technology in the field of regenerative medicine. For more information, visit http://www.advancedcell.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this news release regarding future financial and operating results, future growth in research and development programs, potential applications of our technology, opportunities for the company 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 future capital, risks inherent in the development and commercialization of potential 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 report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.  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.

Contact:

Investors:
CEOcast, Inc., James Young, 212-732-4300

Press:
ACT Corporate Communications, Bill Douglass, 646-450-3615
or:
Russo Partners, Martina Schwarzkopf, Ph.D., 212-845-4292

SOURCE Advanced Cell Technology, Inc.