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Advanced Cell Technology Announces Favorable Ruling on Human
Applications of Nuclear Transfer, Issuance of Patent, and Intent to Appeal
Adverse Ruling on Animal Claims
WORCESTER, Mass., Feb. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- A.C.T. Holdings, Inc.
(OTC:ACTH) (BULLETIN BOARD: ACTH) and Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. (ACT)
announced today the decision of the Board of Patent Appeals and Interference,
interference number 105,192, between itself and Geron Corporation (NASDAQ:
GERN) over methods of producing cultured inner cell mass (CICM) cells, often
referred to as embryonic stem cells. The Board granted ACT's motion to remove
from the interference its patent claim relating to the human species, affirming
in its decision that "this claim is not properly before us."
In a second aspect of the decision of the Board of Patent Appeals and
Interference ruled against ACT and in favor of Geron on other motions relating
to the cloning of non-human animal embryos and CICM cells. ACT intends to
appeal this decision.
Today ACT also announces the issuance of an important US patent relating to the
use of nuclear transfer in regenerative medicine, US Patent No. 6,808,704,
titled "Method for Generating Immune-Compatible Cells and Tissues Using Nuclear
Transfer Techniques". That patent is completely unrelated to the animal
cloning patents involved in the interference proceedings with Geron.
"Advanced Cell Technology is focused on the human medical applications of stem
cell technology. It has been our contention all along that this interference
relates to patent claims for non-human animal cloning and therefore does not
relate to our core human product focus. This ruling makes our point for us,"
said William M. Caldwell, CEO of Advanced Cell Technology. "However, we have
numerous commercial partners utilizing ACT's patented animal cloning technology
and we intend to defend our patents vigorously. We intend to appeal the
decision relating to the animal cloning claims."
Dr. Michael D. West, Chairman, President, and Chief Scientific Officer of
A.C.T. Holdings, Inc. commented on the issuance of US Patent No 6,808,704
saying: "Regenerative medicine is a technology with many potential human
applications. Yet unlike many advances in the past, regenerative medicine
demands many new research tools. Our new patent provides one such tool,
facilitating the testing of cells and tissue-engineered constructs."
A.C.T. Holdings, Inc. is a biotechnology company applying human stem cell
technology in the emerging field of regenerative medicine. The company is
currently headquartered in Worcester, Massachusetts. The company intends to
establish a research facility in California, where voters last November passed
Proposition 71. Often referred to as the "Stem Cell Initiative", Proposition 71
provides $3.0 billion over the next ten years for stem cell research.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties. Actual results, events and performance could vary materially
from those contemplated by these forward-looking statements. These statements
involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause the company's
actual results in future periods to differ materially from results expressed or
implied by forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on
forward-looking statements because they involve these risks and uncertainties.
You should independently investigate and fully understand all risks before
making investment decisions.
DATASOURCE: A.C.T. Holdings, Inc.
CONTACT: William M. Caldwell IV, or Michael D. West, Ph.D., both of
A.C.T. Holdings, Inc., +1-508-756-1212
Web site: http://www.advancedcell.com/