
Positive Research Findings Accelerate HepaLife’s
Development of Artificial Liver Device
HepaLife to work with global leader in bioreactor
technologies for artificial organs, following favorable results
from Company’s patented PICM-19 cell line for potential application
in an artificial liver device.
Boston, MA – February 20, 2007 - HepaLife
Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB: HPLF) (FWB: HL1) (WKN: 500625) today announced
the appointment of Stem Cell Systems GmbH (Germany) among plans to
accelerate development of a bioreactor system for the Company’s
first-of-its-kind artificial liver device, following favorable new
research outcomes.
HepaLife announced that in ongoing research, scientists
have demonstrated that the Company’s patented PICM-19 cells
have unique characteristics distinct from other cells, and are able
to successfully mimic the human liver ' s response in several important
ways. Among other research outcomes, important liver specific
activity levels in the PICM-19 cells were up to three times higher
than those found in human-derived cell lines frequently used for
similar applications.
This functionality is crucial, since according to
researchers, the most vital component in an artificial liver device
is not the mechanical hardware, but rather, it is the biological
cells inside the device which are responsible for truly replicating
and performing the functions of the human liver.
“Our cell line sets us apart from anyone else,” explained
Mr. Frank Menzler , President and CEO of HepaLife Technologies, Inc. “While
other cells often develop cancers, lose their ability to function,
or simply die, our patented PICM19 cells have successfully retained
their liver-like functions, surpassed highly-demanding development
objectives, and outperformed other cell lines for use in artificial
liver devices.
“As a result, we can now confidently advance
our efforts to incorporate these cells into the first-of-its-kind
artificial liver device through the development of a bioreactor system,
a mechanical component which holds and grows biological cells. I’m
honored to welcome Stem Cell Systems to this facet of our project,
and look forward to leveraging their special expertise in development
of bioreactor systems for artificial organs,” concluded Mr.
Menzler.
Based in Berlin , Germany , Stem Cell Systems GmbH
is a global leader in the design, development, production, and commercialization
of advanced, cell-based, medical bioreactors for research and clinical
use.
Among Stem Cell Systems’ current bioreactor
technologies, are applications for cell-based therapies and research
in stem cell systems for hybrid organ development. Of note,
the company is the developer of a novel, interwoven hollow fiber
capillary system which serves as a platform for a wide range of potential
medical device products in numerous clinical markets.
Stem Cell Systems GmbH operates clean room facilities
for the development and production of bioreactors for dynamic perfusion
3D cell-culture, important capabilities in bioreactor development
for HepaLife.
About HepaLife Technologies, Inc.
HepaLife Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB: HPLF) (FWB:
HL1) (WKN: 500625) is a development stage biotechnology company focused
on the identification, development and eventual commercialization
of cell-based technologies and products.
Current cell-based technologies under development
by HepaLife include 1) the first-of- its-kind artificial liver device,
2) proprietary in-vitro toxicology and pre-clinical drug testing
platforms, and 3) cell-culture based vaccines to protect against
the spread of influenza viruses among humans, including potentially
the high pathogenicity H5N1 virus.
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