TAMPA, FL—Utek Corp. (Amex:UTK), a technology transfer company, says NeoStem Inc. (AMEX:NBS), has acquired Utek subsidiary, Stem Cell Technologies Inc., in a stock for stock transaction.

Stem Cell Technologies owns a worldwide exclusive license to a technology developed by researchers at the University of Louisville to identify and isolate rare stem cells from adult human bone marrow, called VSELs (very small embryonic-like) stem cells.

VSELs have been shown to have several physical characteristics that are generally found in embryonic stem cells. They also have been shown to grow in the laboratory and multiply into clusters of cells that then can differentiate into specialized cells found in different types of tissue including cardiac, neural, endothelial, muscle, pancreatic and hematopoietic cells.

Mariusz Z. Ratajczak, M.D., Ph.D., said, “We believe these cells are a real alternative to embryonic stem cells for obtaining a population of histocompatible, pluripotent stem cells for regenerative purposes.”

“The potential exists for the isolated VSELs to differentiate into specified cells that could be given to a patient where they would interact within the specific organ in order to repair degenerated, damaged or diseased tissue, the three “D’s of aging.” NeoStem is enthusiastic about this technology and its potential to help expand our proprietary position in the adult stem cell collection and storage arena as well as the burgeoning field of regenerative medicine,” said Dr. Robin Smith, M.D., M.B.A., CEO of New York-based NeoStem.

“NeoStem has the ability to harvest and cryopreserve these pluripotent VSELs from individual patients, setting the stage for their use in personalized regenerative medicine,” said Dr. Wayne Marasco, chair of NeoStem’s scientific advisory board.

Concurrent with the Stem Cell Technologies, Inc. acquisition, NeoStem entered into a Sponsored Research Agreement with the University of Louisville under which NeoStem will support further research in the University of Louisville laboratory of Dr. Ratajczak, a portion of which will be covered by the acquisition.

On the Web: www.neostem.com; www.reseach.louisville.edu

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