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Stemedica & Lumenis Collaboration |
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Companies Join Forces with the Prestigious Fyodorov Eye Institute to Conduct First-Of-Its- Kind Clinical Study Using Adult Stem Cells & Advanced Laser Technology for the Treatment of Macular Degeneration Stemedica Cell Technologies, Inc, (“Stemedica”), a leading manufacturer of best-in-class adult stem cells, has entered into a Collaboration Agreement with Lumenis, Ltd. (“Lumenis”), a global leader in medical laser technology. This collaboration agreement will focus on the implementation of a first-of-its-kind, comprehensive clinical study for the treatment of macular degeneration using Stemedica’s MCT™ (Multiple Cell Technology) adult stem cells and the Lumenis SRT™ Laser. The clinical study will be conducted at the Fyodorov Eye Institute in Moscow, Russia. The Institute was founded in the 1960’s by the late Dr. Svyatoslav Fyodorov and is regarded as a global leader in treating ocular diseases. Over the past twenty years alone the Institute has treated over 12.5 million patients. A parallel study will take place at Hospital Angeles, a state-of-the-art hospital located in Tijuana, Mexico. The clinical studies at both Fyodorov Eye Institute and Hospital Angeles will focus on combining stem cell therapy with the use of the Lumenis SRT™ laser to treat macular degeneration. “We are pleased and delighted to be working with Lumenis. Their next generation SRT™ laser is regarded as best-in-class for treating macular degeneration,” said Dr. Nikolai Tankovich, Stemedica’s President and Chief Medical Offi cer. “With over 13,000 ophthalmology facilities using Lumenis’ laser technology around the world, no other laser technology company has their depth of clinical experience and access to knowledge in this field.” Jake Vander Zanden, Senior Vice President & General Manager of Lumenis’ Ophthalmic Strategic Business Unit notes, “Each of our three organizations, Lumenis, Fyodorov and Stemedica, have had positive, proven results in using their respective technology in treating macular degeneration on a preclinical and clinic basis. Together, we believe our clinical study will provide objective clinical evidence that stem cell therapy combined with laser treatment can improve or restore quality of life through better vision.” The year-long study will begin in March, 2008 and will determine the safety and effi cacy of the use of Stemedica’s proprietary MCT™ stem cell lines in combination with the Lumenis SRT™ laser. “We are excited about the potential of this combination therapy.” said Dr. Paul Frohna, Stemedica’s Vice President of Regulatory & Clinical Affairs. “We believe that Stemedica’s technology together with Lumenis’ new laser technology holds great promise for successfully treating patients who otherwise have no treatment options.” “This collaboration with Stemedica represents another signifi cant step in Lumenis’ research efforts; working not only to provide effective treatments for ophthalmic disease but to also find cures for patients who suffer from these debilitating conditions.” said Robert Noecker, MD, MBA, Vice Chairman of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. About Stemedicahttp://www.stemedica.comStemedica Cell Technologies, Inc. is an emerging biopharmaceutical company that develops and manufactures best-in-class adult stem cell products for research and therapeutic applications. Stemedica licenses highly-accredited hospitals and treatment facilities that specialize in treating “no option” patients with Stemedica’s stem cell products on an exclusive basis. Stemedica’s proprietary MCT™ product lines and CSP™ (Condition Specifi c Protocol) transplantation methodologies are currently being used by physicians to treat patients diagnosed with neurodegenerative conditions, diseases of the eye, scaring and damage to bone and soft tissue. About LumenisLumenis Ltd. is dedicated to improving people’s lives with advanced technological solutions for treating their medical and aesthetic conditions. Started in 1966, Lumenis is Israel’s largest medical device company with more than 1,000 employees worldwide. The company invests heavily in research and development and holds a leading position in the markets in which it serves. Lumenis has over 250 patents worldwide, over 75 FDA clearances, presence in over 100 countries, and an installed base of over 70,000 systems. About FyodorovThe S. Fyodorov Eye Microsurgery Complex of the Federal Agency for Health and Social Development (“The Fyodorov Eye Institute”) is a model of technology for the entire fi eld of ophthalmology. The Institute was formed in the late sixties by Svyatoslav N. Fyodorov, who gathered together a team of likeminded specialists that carried out a true ophthalmologic revolution that eventually lead to the concept of “eye microsurgery”. Today the Fyodorov Institute represents twelve (12) different facilities across Russia, treating over 700,000 new patients each year. For further information contact: Dave McGuigan For further information contact: Michelle Maydan Lumenis® is a registered trademark of Lumenis Ltd. |
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| ©2008 Lumenis Ophthalmology | |||
