Athersys to Host First Quarter 2014 Financial Results Call

Athersys, Inc. (Nasdaq:ATHX) will release its first quarter 2014 financial results at approximately 4:00 PM (Eastern Time) on Thursday, May 8, 2014, and host a conference call shortly thereafter at 4:30 PM (Eastern Time) to review the results. Gil Van Bokkelen, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and William (B.J.) Lehmann, President and Chief Operating Officer, will host the call as follows:

Date	May 8, 2014
Time	4:30 p.m. (Eastern Time)
Telephone access: US and Canada	800-273-1254
Telephone access: International	973-638-3440
Access code	26684103
Live webcast	www.athersys.com, under the Investors section

A replay will be available for on-demand listening shortly after the completion of the call until 11:59 PM (Eastern Time) on May 22, 2014 at the aforementioned URL, or by dialing 800-585-8367 or 855-859-2056 in the U.S. and Canada, or from abroad 404-537-3406, and entering access code 26684103.

About Athersys

Athersys is a clinical stage biotechnology company engaged in the discovery and development of therapeutic product candidates designed to extend and enhance the quality of human life. The Company is developing its MultiStem® cell therapy product, a patented, adult-derived "off-the-shelf" stem cell product platform for disease indications in the cardiovascular, neurological, inflammatory and immune disease areas. The Company currently has several clinical stage programs involving MultiStem, including for treating inflammatory bowel disease, ischemic stroke, damage caused by myocardial infarction, and for the prevention of graft-versus-host disease. Athersys has also developed a diverse portfolio that includes other technologies and product development opportunities, and has forged strategic partnerships and collaborations with leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, as well as world-renowned research institutions in the United States and Europe to further develop its platform and products.

CONTACT: William (B.J.) Lehmann, J.D.
         President and Chief Operating Officer
         Tel: [phone]
         [e-mail]
         
         Investor Relations:
         Lisa M. Wilson
         In-Site Communications
         Tel: [phone]
         [e-mail]