NeoStem, Inc., (NYSE Amex: NBS) ("NeoStem" or the "Company"), an international biopharmaceutical company with operations in the US and China, and the Vatican's Pontifical Council for Culture, today announced a joint initiative that includes their charitable organizations to expand research and raise awareness of adult stem cell therapies. NeoStem's Stem for Life Foundation, formed to create awareness about the promise of adult stem cells to treat disease, and the Pontifical Council's Foundation, called STOQ International (Science Theology and the Ontological Quest), will work on a variety of collaborative activities with the goal of advancing scientific research on adult stem cells, exploring their clinical application in the field of regenerative medicine and the cultural relevance of such a fundamental shift in medical treatment options, particularly with regard to the impact on theological and ethical issues.
"Considering the potential implication of scientific investigation, medical applicability and the cultural impact of research on adult stem cells, we view the collaboration with NeoStem as a critical effort," said Reverend Tomasz Trafny, of the Pontifical Council for Culture. "Through educational initiatives with NeoStem and sponsorship of scientific research programs involving cutting edge adult stem cell science which does not hurt human life, we come one step closer to a breakthrough that can relieve needless human suffering. We are particularly excited about NeoStem's VSEL™ technology and believe that mutual collaboration between NeoStem and the Pontifical Council for Culture could lead to significant financial commitment to support VSEL™ technology research."
NeoStem acquired the worldwide exclusive rights to VSEL™ technology in 2007. Very small embryonic-like stem cells, which form the basis of the VSEL™ technology, have physical characteristics typically found in embryonic stem cells, including the ability to differentiate into specialized cells found in different types of tissue that would be able to interact with the specific organ in order to repair degenerated, damaged or diseased tissue. This opens the door to the possibility of achieving the positive benefits associated with embryonic stem cells without the ethical or moral dilemmas as well as other negative effects associated with embryonic stem cells. "For over 40 years, physicians have been using adult stem cells to treat various blood cancers, but only recently has the promise of using adult stem cells to treat a significant number of other diseases begun to be realized. There are tremendous clinical and economic advantages to autologous stem cell transplantation (receiving your own stem cells) as there are no issues with immune rejection. Engraftment with your own stem cells is faster, safer and much less costly than receiving someone else's stem cells (allogeneic)," said Dr. Robin L. Smith, Chairman and CEO of NeoStem. "Providing critical support to drive research and therapy efforts, this commitment is a milestone for the field of regenerative medicine," added Dr. Smith.
As part of the collaboration, NeoStem and the Pontifical Council will pursue the development of educational programs, publications and academic courses with an interdisciplinary approach for theological and philosophical faculties, including those of bioethics, around the world.