International Society for Cellular Therapy (ISCT) Launches Inaugural Cell Therapy Commercial Development Focus Group on Peripheral Vascular Disease

VANCOUVER, January 19, 2011 - In keeping with its commitment to connect industry, regulatory experts,
therapeutic societies and translational centers to advance emerging cellular
therapies, ISCT announces its first commercial development focus group
addressing Cell Therapies for Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD).

PVD is a condition in which the arteries that carry blood to the arms or
legs become narrowed or clogged. In a primary care population defined by age
and common risk factors the prevalence of PVD is approximately one in
three(1). Critical Limb Ischemia (CLI) is a very severe condition of PVD with
patients suffering severe pain and skin ulcers which can lead to limb
amputation. CLI has a 15-30% mortality rate at 5 years.(2)

To address this debilitating condition ISCT has created a progressive
forum to unite an expert panel and facilitate in depth, open discussion of
whether, and how, cell therapy can meet the unmet needs of these patients.
The focus group will take place in New York, USA January 21 2011 in
partnership with the Cardiovascular Research Foundation (www.crf.org),
sponsor of the Sixth International Conference on Cell Therapy for
Cardiovascular Disease.

"As we enter the era of 300+ patient Phase 3 studies, it is crucial for
the research community to identify appropriate end points that correlate with
meaningful clinical outcomes," said Warren Sherman, MD, Director,
Regenerative Cardiovascular Research at The Jack H. Skirball Center for
Cardiovascular Research. "From there, trial design can be optimized to assess
clinical efficacy and, hopefully, improve outcomes of patients with CLI.
These patients have a very poor prognosis. To help them with cell-based
therapy would be a huge advance, and would have implications for patients
with vascular disease of other organ systems."

Ed Horwitz, M.D. PhD, President of ISCT strongly agreed, "the launch of
this series of focus groups is the latest initiative through which ISCT is
building alignment with academia and industry to expedite the development and
maturation of the field and ultimately bring cell therapy treatments to
patients faster. It is ISCT's intent that the international field of cell
therapy and regenerative medicine will be able to benefit from the focus
groups through public open access to the final report and outcomes as
published in per reviewed journals."

Visit www.celltherapyfocusgroups.com for further information on
the agenda and registration details.

The ISCT focus group initiative follows the successful launch of ISCT's
Industry Community in August 2010. See: ISCT - Media. (www.celltherapysociety.org/index.php/about-us/media)

ISCT welcomes the following new corporate members into the Industry
Community for 2011:

Patrons: Aastrom Biosciences Inc., BD Biosciences Inc. BioLife Solutions
Inc., Pfizer Regenerative Medicine, Pluristem Therapuetics Inc. Partners;
CaridianBCT Inc., Sartorius Stedim Biotech GmbH., STEMCELL Technologies Inc.
Supporters: CellGenix GmbH., Pharmacell B.V. Members: Apceth GmbH & Co.
Preservation Solutions Inc, Beike Biotechnology Co.Ltd., DCi Biotech Inc.,
Tengion Inc., STEMSOFT Software Inc., ZMKS International Cancer Therapy
Biotechnology Co. Ltd.

The complete list of members can be viewed on the Industry Community page
of www.celltherapysociety.org

ISCT is a global association driving the translation of scientific
research to deliver innovative cellular therapies to patients. Established in
1992, its membership and leadership comprises world-class scientists,
clinicians, technologists, biotech/pharma and regulatory professionals from
around the world focused on pre-clinical and translational aspects of
developing cell therapy products.

References

1. Hirsch AT et al. JAMA. 2001;286:1317-1324

2. Hirsch AT et al. Circulation. 2006;113:e463-654

    For further information:

    Robert Deans
    Chair, ISCT Commercialization Committee
    Senior VP of Regenerative Medicine
    Athersys, Inc
    +1-216-526-2433 cell
    rdeans@athersys.com

    Jane Arthurs
    ISCT Executive Director
    +1-604-630-5495
    Jane@celltherapysociety.org

For further information: Robert Deans, Chair, ISCT Commercialization Committee, Senior VP of Regenerative Medicine, Athersys, Inc, +1-216-526-2433 cell, rdeans at athersys.com; Jane Arthurs, ISCT Executive Director, +1-604-630-5495, Jane at celltherapysociety.org