''Stem Cells 2005: progress to therapy?'' in Edinburgh in March

[Guest guest]

ish Stem Cell Network to Host International Event

Monday January 31, 2005

Leading International Organizations to Attend ish Stem Cell Event, ''Stem

Cells 2005: progress to therapy?'' in Edinburgh in March

EDINBURGH, Scotland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 31, 2005--The ish Stem Cell

Network (SSCN) and ish Development International today announced that SSCN

will host a major international stem cell meeting March 4 and 5, 2005 at the

Edinburgh International Conference Center. Scotland is the ideal location to

host such a high caliber event, as it is home to some of the world's leading

research and academic institutes in stem cell sciences and has a flourishing

research foundation that is addressing fundamental aspects of production and

development in the field.

Scotland's stem cell science industry is driven forward by strong basic

research, with scientists and clinicians from broad medical backgrounds focusing

on a range of stem cell applications. In recognition of Scotland's role in stem

cell technology, leading scientific groups from around the world will be on hand

to present their work.

Delegates including Professor Pederson, of regenerative medicine at the

University of Cambridge, England; Dr. Jane Lebkowski, senior vice president of

cell and gene therapies at Geron in the US; Dr. Ron Mckay, the chief of the

laboratory of molecular biology in the Basic Neuroscience Program of the

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke in the US; and others,

will be presenting at this event, which was developed to create an environment

for open dialogue between scientists, clinicians, investors and the public.

The SSCN has been prominent in setting up international initiatives in stem cell

research and the organization's partners from Europe, the U.S., Canada, and

Australasia will be attending the conference where policy discussions will be

held alongside scientific presentations.

" Scotland is one of the world's leading locations and innovators in the area of

life science, " said Lorna Jack, Director, Americas, ish Development

International. " 'Stem Cells 2005: progress to therapy?' is the first of many

cutting-edge life science events that Scotland is participating in during 2005

that demonstrate our country's innovation in the sector. ish Development

International is pleased to participate in organizing such an exciting and

topical event. "

As the stem cell debate around the globe continues to heat up, attendees at this

event will have the opportunity to participate in discussions with leaders in

the world of stem cell technology and focus on a variety of topics, including

stem cell plasticity, stem cells and the therapy of diabetes, the commercial

landscape for stem cell research and embryonic stem cells.

" Stem cell therapies have quickly become one of the hottest topics in the

medical industry, " said Professor Bernat Soria, chairman of the European Stem

Cell Network and head of the Institute of Bioengineering at the University of

, Alicante, Spain. " With cutting-edge R & D and new developments

in stem cell research being made everyday, Scotland is the ideal venue for this

event and I look forward to presenting to the event's global attendees in

March. "

For more information about the event and to register online, please visit

www.stemcell2005.co.uk.

About ish Stem Cell Network

The ish Stem Cell Network exists to bring together scientists and

clinicians to improve the rate at which innovative stem cell research translates

into new treatments for degenerative diseases. The ish Stem Cell Network

was established in May 2003 as a multidisciplinary forum bringing together

scientists and clinicians with the aim of improving the rate at which laboratory

research translates into therapeutic benefits for patients. Additional

information can be found on the SSCN website at www.sscn.co.uk.

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