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Advanced Cell Technology Acquires Intellectual Property Assets of Infigen, Inc.


Landmark Merger of Embryonic Stem Cell Embryonic stem cells (ES cells) are stem cells derived from the inner cell mass of an early stage embryo known as a blastocyst. Human embryos reach the blastocyst stage 4-5 days post fertilization, at which time they consist of 50-150 cells.

ES cells are pluripotent.
 Patent Estates

ALAMEDA, Calif. -- Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. (OTCBB OTCBB

See OTC Bulletin Board (OTCBB).
: ACTC ACTC Apple Certified Technical Coordinator
ACTC Almaden Cycle Touring Club
ACTC Associated Colleges of the Twin Cities
ACTC All Ceylon Tamil Congress (Sri Lanka)
ACTC Association Canadienne de Télévision par Câble
) announced today that it has acquired the intellectual property assets of its former competitor Infigen, Inc. relating to relating to relate prepconcernant

relating to relate prepbezüglich +gen, mit Bezug auf +acc 
 somatic cell nuclear transfer Noun 1. somatic cell nuclear transfer - moving a cell nucleus and its genetic material from one cell to another
nuclear transplantation, SCNT, somatic cell nuclear transplantation

biological research - scientific research conducted by biologists
 (SCNT Noun 1. SCNT - moving a cell nucleus and its genetic material from one cell to another
nuclear transplantation, somatic cell nuclear transfer, somatic cell nuclear transplantation

biological research - scientific research conducted by biologists
), parthenogenesis parthenogenesis (pär'thənōjĕn`əsĭs) [Gr.,=virgin birth], in biology, a form of reproduction in which the ovum develops into a new individual without fertilization. , and other related technologies. A total of 26 issued patents and numerous pending patent applications were acquired for a combination of cash and shares of common stock. The acquisition provides ACTC with exclusive ownership rights to critical technologies in regenerative medicine and the merger of assets is expected to strengthen ACTC's intellectual property position in the drive towards commercialization of embryonic stem cell and SCNT technology.

"This tactical acquisition is a part of our long-term plan to become one of the leading companies in the field of regenerative medicine," said William M. Caldwell, IV, Chief Executive Officer of Advanced Cell Technology. "We intend to use these technologies to further our product development and use the exclusive rights under these patents to protect the company and, as appropriate, leverage these patents through licensing transactions with potential strategic partners."

Dennis McCormick, Chairman of Infigen, Inc., commented, "We are pleased to complete this transaction and believe Advanced Cell Technology is one of the preeminent stem cell stem cell

In living organisms, an undifferentiated cell that can produce other cells that eventually make up specialized tissues and organs. There are two major types of stem cells, embryonic and adult.
 companies with the ability to commercialize this technology."

Infigen, Inc. heavily invested in its intellectual property portfolio relating to animal cloning and filed some of the earliest and most strategic patents in fundamental steps related to SCNT. One such critical step in SCNT is the activation of oocytes - a process designated "parthenogenetic par·the·no·gen·e·sis  
n.
A form of reproduction in which an unfertilized egg develops into a new individual, occurring commonly among insects and certain other arthropods.
 activation". Egg cells must be activated for SCNT to be successful. In a previous royalty-bearing cross license, ACTC acquired freedom to operate under the Infigen patents in the field of human cell therapy. However, with this acquisition, royalty obligations are removed and ACTC owns the patents exclusively for building its business in regenerative medicine and for use in licensing animal applications.

"We believe the Infigen intellectual property, when merged with our existing proprietary technologies, creates an impressive patent estate. The patents include fundamental technologies useful in the production of any type of cell or tissue matched to the patient through the process of SCNT," said Dr. Michael West Michael West may refer to:
  • Dr. Michael Philip West, ESL teacher and researcher
  • Dr. Michael D. West, gerontologist and CEO of BioTime, Inc., former Chairman of the Board and Chief Scientific Officer of Advanced Cell Technology, and former CEO of Geron Corporation
, ACTC's President and Chief Scientific Officer. "In addition, in our experience, we believe that this portfolio provides us with a dominant patent position in the production of human embryonic stem cells by parthenogenesis wherein stem cells stem cells, unspecialized human or animal cells that can produce mature specialized body cells and at the same time replicate themselves. Embryonic stem cells are derived from a blastocyst (the blastula typical of placental mammals; see embryo), which is very young  are made from an egg cell without fertilization or SCNT.

Dr. West continued, "Combining these patents under one roof should simplify the regenerative medicine patent landscape. We will license out the animal applications for use in agriculture and animal science and use the human technologies for our internal programs including applications in the retina, vascular system, and dermatology."

Aquetong Capital Advisors assisted Infigen, Inc. in connection with this transaction.

About Advanced Cell Technology, Inc.

Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. is a biotechnology company applying stem cell technology in the emerging field of regenerative medicine. The company operates facilities in Alameda, California Alameda is a city in Alameda County, California, United States. It is located on a small island of the same name next to Oakland, California in the San Francisco Bay. An additional part of the city is Bay Farm Island, which is adjacent to the Oakland International Airport.  and Worcester, Massachusetts. For more information about the company visit 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 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 The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (PSLRA) implemented several significant substantive changes affecting certain cases brought under the federal securities laws, including changes related to pleading, discovery, liability, class representation and awards fees and  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-QSB for the quarter ended September 30, 2006.

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.
COPYRIGHT 2007 Business Wire
No portion of this article can be reproduced without the express written permission from the copyright holder.
Copyright 2007, Gale Group. All rights reserved. Gale Group is a Thomson Corporation Company.

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Publication:Business Wire
Date:Feb 8, 2007
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