NeoStem, Inc. and ImmuneRegen BioSciences(R) Announce a Collaborative Agreement to Advance Stem Cell Technology

USA - English

• USA - English

NEW YORK and SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., April 22 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ -- NeoStem, Inc. ("NeoStem") (NYSE Amex: NBS), an international biopharmaceutical company with operations in the U.S. and China and ImmuneRegen BioSciences, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of IR BioSciences Holdings, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: IRBS), announced today that they have entered into a Collaborative Research Agreement, focused on the development of an advanced, adult human stem cell product. Under the agreement, NeoStem will investigate the effects of Homspera(R), ImmuneRegen's lead drug candidate, which has been shown to enhance stem cell activity, in combination with NeoStem's VSEL(TM) technology. Very small embryonic-like stem cells are a population of stem cells found in the bone marrow that can be mobilized and subsequently harvested from the peripheral blood of adults.

NeoStem is the first company to provide adult stem cell collection and banking services to the general adult population, and is pursuing the research and development of adult stem cell therapies, including therapies through the use of very small embryonic-like stem cells, for regenerative purposes, both in the U.S. and China, for a number of health conditions.

ImmuneRegen has previously reported on the effects of Homspera on the differentiation of human adult stem cells, particularly into hematopoietic stem cells that are capable of becoming blood cells and are the foundation of the body's immune system. Very small embryonic-like stem cells are also found in adults but may have broader applications and are morphologically closer to embryonic stem cells in their potential. NeoStem has the ability to harvest very small embryonic-like stem cells from individual patients, representing a significant step toward overcoming the two major limitations in the development of stem cell therapies today -- the ethical dilemma regarding use of embryonic stem cells, and the immunological problems associated with using cells from a donor.

Under the collaboration, NeoStem has the right to execute an option agreement to negotiate an exclusive license to resulting technology.

"We look forward to working with the ImmuneRegen team to evaluate the practical application of our exclusive VSEL(TM) technology and advance our effort in the development of adult stem cell-based therapies," said Robin Smith, M.D., NeoStem's Chairman and CEO. "Very small embryonic-like stem cells have the potential to improve the diagnosis and treatment of many diseases, including neural, cardiac, orthopedic disorders, and the Company is committed to advancing the broad potential applications of the VSEL(TM) technology for diagnostic and therapeutic uses internally and through additional collaborative partnerships in the U.S. and China."

"Collaborating with NeoStem will allow ImmuneRegen to accelerate the development of Homspera(R) for adult stem cell applications while, in parallel, supporting other clinical applications of Homspera," said Hal Siegel, Ph.D., ImmuneRegen's Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer. "Based on our previous findings that Homspera enhances the development of adult hematopoietic stem cells, we are eager to move forward into broader applications using VSEL(TM) technology with NeoStem. Additionally, marketing opportunities in China are especially interesting for these novel stem cell applications."

About NeoStem, Inc.

NeoStem, Inc. is engaged in the development of stem cell-based therapies and building of a network of adult stem cell collection centers in the U.S. and China that are focused on enabling people to donate and store their own (autologous) stem cells for their personal use in times of future medical need. The Company is also the licensee of various stem cell technologies, including a worldwide exclusive license to VSEL(TM) technology which uses very small embryonic-like stem cells, shown to have several physical characteristics that are generally found in embryonic stem cells, and is pursuing the licensing of other technologies for therapeutic use. NeoStem's majority-controlled Chinese pharmaceutical operation, Suzhou Erye, manufactures and distributes generic antibiotics in China. For more information, please visit: http://www.neostem.com .

About ImmuneRegen BioSciences, Inc.

ImmuneRegen BioSciences Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of IR BioSciences Holdings, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: IRBS), is a development-stage biotechnology company focused on the research, development and licensing of Homspera(R) and its derivatives. Homspera is an adult stem cell active compound that in study results has been shown to regenerate and strengthen the immune system and enhance wound healing. Additional intended uses being developed include influenza as a stand-alone or combination therapy and as a vaccine adjuvant. To advance its mission, the Scottsdale, Arizona based company has forged numerous study partnerships with industry and academic leaders, including Celgene Cellular Therapeutics, HemoGenix, Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute and Virion Systems. For more information, please visit http://www.ImmuneRegen.com .

Forward Looking Statements of ImmuneRegen

Statements about ImmuneRegen's future expectations, including statements about the potential use and scientific results for its drug candidates, science and technology, and all other statements in this press release other than historical facts, are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. ImmuneRegen intends that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbors created thereby. These future events may not occur as and when expected, if at all, and, together with ImmuneRegen's business, are subject to various risks and uncertainties. ImmuneRegen's actual results could differ materially from expected results as a result of a number of factors, including the uncertainties inherent in research and development collaborations, pre-clinical and clinical trials and product development programs (including, but not limited to the fact that future results or research and development efforts may prove less encouraging than current results or cause side effects not observed in current pre- clinical trials), the evaluation of potential opportunities, the level of corporate expenditures and monies available for further studies, capital market conditions, and others set forth in ImmuneRegen's periodic report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended September 30, 2009 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. There are no guarantees that any of ImmuneRegen's proposed products will prove to be commercially successful. ImmuneRegen undertakes no duty to update forward- looking statements.

Forward Looking Statements of NeoStem

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements reflect NeoStem management's current expectations, as of the date of this press release, and involve certain risks and uncertainties. Forward looking statements include statements herein with respect to the success of NeoStem's VSEL(TM) technology and the commercialization of stem cell programs as well as the future of stem cell in medical treatment about which no assurances can be given. NeoStem's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. Factors that could cause future results to materially differ from the recent results or those projected in forward-looking statements include the "Risk Factors" described in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2010, as well as other periodic filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission. NeoStem's further development is highly dependent on future medical and research developments and market acceptance, which is outside its control.

    For more information, please contact:

    ImmuneRegen BioSciences Inc.

     Michael K. Wilhelm or John Fermanis
     Tel:   +1-480-922-3926
     Email: [email protected]
            [email protected]

     Investor Contact: Redwood Consultants, LLC
     Tel:   +1-415-884-0348

    NeoStem, Inc.

     Robin Smith, CEO
     Tel:   +1-212-584-4174
     Email: [email protected]
     Web:   http://www.neostem.com

    CCG Investor Relations

     Lei Huang, Account Manager
     Tel:    +1-646-833-3417
     E-mail: [email protected]
     Web:    http://www.ccgir.com

     Crocker Coulson, President
     Tel:    +1-646-213-1915
     Email:  [email protected]

SOURCE NeoStem, Inc.