On May 23, 2018, we published revised versions of our Privacy Policy and User Agreements. Please read these updated terms and take some time to understand them. Your use of our services is subject to these revised terms.
Yes, I Agree.

International Stem Cell Corporation (ISCO) has a Place in the SAGE Encyclopedia of Stem Cell Research

The entry on International Stem Cell Corporation (OTCQB: ISCO) in the SAGE Encyclopedia tells a bit of the company’s story. At first, the researchers at ISCO were working on finding a stem cell treatment for diabetes, but ‘in the process (they) discovered parthenogenetic stem cells.’ ‘Today, ISCO is focused on using human parthenogenetic stem cells (hpSCs) to develop clinical applications to treat diseases of the liver, nervous system and eye.’ ISCO’s hpSCs are similar to human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) in that they have the potential to be differentiated into many different cells in the human body. The derivation of hpSCs does not, however, require the use of fertilized eggs or the destruction of viable human embryos and so avoids many of the controversies and ethical quandaries surrounding stem cell research. HpSCs also offer the potential for the creation of immune-matched cells and tissues that are less likely to be rejected following transplantation. Scientists at ISCO have been able to create the first parthenogenetic homozygous stem cell line that can be a source of therapeutic cells with minimal immune rejection after transplantation.

It may appear as a sign of weakness that ISCO started out looking for a diabetes treatment but is now focusing on Parkinson’s disease and other areas, but that is actually a sign of strength because it signals the company is driven by a management team that is versatile and adaptive. An insightful article in Bioentrepreneur with the eye-catching title ‘Six secrets to success — how to build a sustainable biotech business’ (http://dtn.fm/TuX3j) talks, first, about the importance of ‘having a strong, experienced and stable management team’ and ‘investing in the people at the top rather than the assets, technology or product.’ Its second takeaway is adaptability. ‘One of the main reasons biotech companies fail is because they believe they have the best potential drug and that the world will adapt to accommodate their business… (but) very few companies got their drug right the first time… the majority of the world’s top biotech companies are very different today compared with their formative years.’

International Stem Cell Corporation is certainly adaptive and strong on the first factor as well. Its entry in the SAGE Encyclopedia makes mention of its CEO, Andrey Semechkin, PhD, and his son, Russell Kern, PhD. Dr. Andrey Semechkin is a member of the Russian Academy of Sciences and has been deputy director of the Institute of System Analysis since 2004. Professor Semechkin was awarded a Russian Government Award in Science and Technology in 2006. He is the author of several scientific papers. In 2012, for example, ‘Derivation of high-purity definitive endoderm from human parthenogenetic stem cells using an in vitro analog of the primitive streak’ (http://dtn.fm/lqr3J) was published, which discussed the potential of hpSCs as sources for cell-based therapies and their advantage over hESCs on histocompatibilty issues. Semechkin has over 20 years’ experience creating and managing businesses across different industries and scientific sectors.

Mahnaz Ebrahimi is the chief financial officer at ISCO. She has over 25 years’ experience in executive and senior level positions in financial management, accounting and SEC reporting matters, and has worked with numerous publicly traded and privately held biotechnology, life science, and technology companies. Prior to joining ISCO, she served as a consultant to the company as well as to Flux Power Holdings, Polaris Pharmaceutical, and Ocera Therapeutics. From October 2010 to July 2012, Ebrahimi served as director, financial planning and analysis and treasury at eBioscience, where she was instrumental in the successful merger with Affymatrix in June 2012.

Russell Kern, PhD is the executive vice president and chief scientific officer at ISCO. Dr. Kern was trained in medical genetics, stem cell biology and international business administration, and holds an M.S. degree from the Faculty of Fundamental Medicine of Moscow State University. He earned his PhD in Physiology from Anokhin Research Institute of Normal Physiology, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences. Kern is a well-known speaker on stem cell biology, including the use of stem cells for neurology and skin regeneration. He has publications in the field of clinical and molecular biology, and is the author of various patent applications.

Sofya Bakalova, J.D., is vice president, legal affairs & operations at ISCO. Bakalova received her law degree from the University of Miami’s School of Law and has experience in various aspects of corporate and biotechnology law, regulatory affairs, project management, and business operations. After joining ISCO in March 2011, she has held a variety of business and legal roles, including in-house counsel, advisor to the CEO, and vice chairman of the board of directors for Lifeline Skin Care. Bakalova holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from San Francisco State University and has worked in the banking and finance industries prior to beginning her legal career.

For more information, visit www.internationalstemcell.com

Let us hear your thoughts: International Stem Cell Corp. Message Board

Archives

Select A Month
  • March 2024
  • February 2024
  • January 2024
  • December 2023
  • November 2023
  • October 2023
  • September 2023
  • August 2023
  • July 2023
  • June 2023
  • May 2023
  • April 2023
  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011
  • December 2010
  • November 2010
  • October 2010
  • September 2010
  • August 2010
  • July 2010
  • June 2010
  • May 2010
  • April 2010
  • March 2010
  • February 2010
  • January 2010
  • December 2009
  • November 2009
  • October 2009
  • September 2009
  • August 2009
  • July 2009
  • June 2009
  • May 2009
  • April 2009
  • March 2009
  • February 2009
  • January 2009
  • December 2008
  • November 2008
  • October 2008
  • September 2008
  • August 2008
  • July 2008
  • June 2008
  • May 2008
  • April 2008
  • March 2008
  • February 2008
  • January 2008
  • December 2007
  • November 2007
  • October 2007
  • September 2007
  • August 2007
  • July 2007
  • June 2007
  • May 2007
  • April 2007
  • March 2007
  • February 2007
  • January 2007
  • December 2006
  • November 2006
  • October 2006
  • September 2006
  • August 2006
  • July 2006
  • June 2006
  • May 2006
  • April 2006
  • March 2006
  • January 2006
  • December 2005
  • October 2005
  • September 2005
  • Market Basics

    New to the micro-cap markets?Get answers to your questions about investing in Small-Cap / Micro-Cap Stocks and learn how to protect yourself.

    The Basics

    Newsletter Publishers

    Have an up and coming newsletter and want to be included in our coverage list? Looking to get more coverage and grow subscriptions? Register for coverage.

    Register

    Public Companies

    Are you a Small-Cap / Micro-Cap company looking for coverage? We'd love to hear from you. Fill out our quick contact form or send us a text.

    Get Covered