U.S. BioDefense Files for Stem Cell Research Center of Excellence with National Institutes of Health with Research Collaborators from Los Alamos, CHOC, UCLA, and UCI and Liver Regeneration Technology from UCL Biomedica University College London

Business Wire,  March 30, 2005  

Tags: health care, stem-cell, University of California at Los Angeles

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CITY OF INDUSTRY, Calif. -- U.S. BioDefense, Inc. (OTCBB:UBDE) CEO David Chin is pleased to announce today that the company has filed a proposal in response to an RFA: `Center of Excellence in Translational Human Stem Cell Research' with the National Institutes of Health. NIH components participating organizations include the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), and National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI).

The specific aim in the establishment of this Center of Excellence is to research the development of a product and system which will isolate and expand stem cells which may be used for therapeutic liver re-population in patients with healthy cells for patients with liver disease, especially, but not exclusively, acute liver failure. It is furthermore our belief that access to autologous or allogeneic hepatic stem cells would allow the development of an "artificial liver."

CEO, David Chin, stated, "The NIH intends to commit up to $4.5 million in FY 2005 to fund three new Centers of Excellence in Translational Human Stem Cell Research. We have been in discussions with prominent Southern California Doctors, researchers, and educational collaborators at hospitals, universities, small and blue chip companies in order to study the feasibility of founding a Stem Cell Research Center for the rapid development of Stem Cell technology. We are still aggressively seeking and hereby invite inquiries from new collaborative industry partners including stem cell biologists, researchers and clinicians with disease-specific expertise, physicians and surgeons skilled in novel modes of cell delivery, and investigators experienced in developing and assessing animal models of human diseases to create a new research team in California. We have successfully submitted the proposal to the NIH government grant by the due date March 24th, 2005."

U.S. BioDefense, Inc. will conduct most of the research required for the project described in this proposal in the company's internal lab facilities at its headquarters in City of Industry, California. In addition, the company will use outside lab facilities that include specialty ultra clean rooms and animal testing labs. U.S. BioDefense, Inc. has relationships in place that will enable the company to use facilities at Children's Hospital of Orange County (CHOC), Stanford University, the University of California at Los Angeles, and the University of California, Irvine for this project.

Final determination of the successful funding award is not guaranteed by the company and qualification for a National Institutes of Health 'Center of Excellence in Translational Human Stem Cell Research' Grant will be made by the NIH following review of the grant company's LOI followed by its proposal. A Letter of Intent was provided to the NIH as required under grant guidelines outlining the functions and backgrounds of collaborative parties on February 24th to qualify for the submitting of the final grant proposal by the March 24th deadline.

About The NIH Center of Excellence program

The goal of this new NIH program is the translation of new findings in human stem cell biology to clinically relevant research for the ultimate purpose of developing new therapies for human disorders. Of particular interest are innovative collaborations in novel areas of stem cell research that could lead to new therapies, diagnostic products, or a key understanding and treatment of disease. If a grant is awarded, The U.S. BioDefense Center of Excellence must demonstrate to the NIH the success of proposed open source research engaging the full collaboration between groups of individuals contributing unique yet complementary expertise or resources. According to the NIH, the centers will undertake multi-disciplinary approaches, including preclinical projects that might lead toward clinical applications and clinical trials. In order to accomplish this goal, the centers will consist of component parts/laboratories located in different institutions, and function as "centers without walls." U.S. BioDefense is continuing to leverage its Stem Cell technology transfer and commercialization initiative through the manifestation of its Open Source Platform for rapid stem cell research and development facilitating the distributed collaboration of biotechnology and biodefense research. Recent application to The International Society for Stem Cell Research (visit Isscr.org) will expand networking with International experts, provide access to research and best practices, educational seminars, topical workshops and meetings, and participate in various forums and committees.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) invite applications for specialized Centers to accelerate application of the latest advances in human stem cell biology for the development of novel diagnostic or therapeutic uses, and of preclinical studies employing human stem cells in animal models of disease. These centers will bring together basic stem cell biologists, researchers and clinicians with disease-specific expertise, physicians and surgeons skilled in novel modes of cell delivery, and investigators experienced in developing and assessing animal models of human diseases to create new research teams, and to conduct hitherto-unexplored projects such as preclinical studies for cell-based therapy. This initiative targets critical gaps in research that are delaying the conversion of new discoveries to new therapies, and particularly encourages the formation of new, multidisciplinary teams involving scientists that may not have worked in the human stem cell field and those that incorporate the full spectrum of expertise and experience in translational medical research.