Stem Cell Therapeutics Corp. Congratulates Dr. Samuel Weiss on His Receipt of the Gairdner Award

Wed Apr 16, 2008 1:53pm EDT

http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS207873+16-Apr-2008+MW20080416

  CALGARY, ALBERTA, Apr 16 (MARKET WIRE) -- 
 Stem Cell Therapeutics Corp. ("SCT") (TSX VENTURE: SSS) is proud to
congratulate Dr. Samuel Weiss, Director of the Hotchkiss Brain Institute
at the University of Calgary, for receiving the distinguished Gairdner
Award. This esteemed award was granted to Dr. Weiss "for his seminal
discovery of adult neural stem cells in the mammalian brain and its
importance in nerve cell regeneration".

    Dr. Weiss discovered that the adult brain can produce new cells - adult
stem cells - that can grow into new brain cells called neurons. The
finding raised the prospect of regenerating damaged nerves with stem
cells the brain can produce itself. Dr Weiss' stem cell regenerative work
is the foundation of SCT's therapeutic approach to stroke, traumatic
brain injury and multiple sclerosis. He continues his association with
SCT as a key member of its Scientific Advisory Board.

    Dr. Alan Moore, President of Stem Cell Therapeutics Corp. commented as
follows:

    "We are delighted to see Dr. Weiss win this prestigious award. Stem Cell
Therapeutics is making good progress in our efforts to commercialize Dr
Weiss's scientific discovery which has the potential to provide
significant benefits for indications such as stroke, multiple sclerosis
and traumatic brain injury where there are currently limited options
available for treatment"

    About the Gairdner Award (http://www.gairdner.org/): The core mandate of
the Gairdner Foundation is to select the annual Gairdner International
Award winners. Over the past 48 years, the Foundation has gained a superb
international reputation through its international awards, for
recognizing and rewarding early the work of the world's leading
scientists. An external measure of their stature is the fact that of the
288 individuals from 13 countries, including 42 Canadians, who have
received Gairdner Awards, 70 have subsequently gone on to win the Nobel
Prize.

    About NTx(TM)-265: NTx(TM)-265 is a therapeutic regimen of two approved
and clinically well-defined drugs, human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) and
Erythropoietin (EPO), targeting the treatment of stroke. The twin
objectives of the regimen are to stimulate the growth and differentiation
of new neurons to replace the brain cells that were lost or damaged by
the stroke, and importantly, to direct motor, visual and cognitive
recovery after acute ischemic stroke. Animal studies have shown a
significant recovery in motor function after receiving the NTx(TM)-265
regimen 24-48 hours post stroke. Encouraging clinical results in SCT's
Phase IIa BETAS stroke trial were presented at the International Stroke
Conference in February 2008. SCT is enrolling sites for the multi-centre,
double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase IIb REGENESIS study for
NTx(TM)-265 with primary endpoints of efficacy; enrolment to be complete
by the end of 2008 with top-line efficacy data to be released before the
end of the first quarter of 2009.

    About Stem Cell Therapeutics Corp.: Stem Cell Therapeutics Corp. is a
Canadian public biotechnology company (TSX VENTURE: SSS) focused on the
development and commercialization of drug-based therapies to treat
central nervous system diseases. SCT is a leader in the development of
therapies that utilize drugs to stimulate a patient's own resident stem
cells. The company's programs aim to repair neurological function lost
due to disease or injury. The company's extensive patent portfolio of
owned and licensed intellectual property supports the potential expansion
into future clinical programs in numerous neurological diseases such as
traumatic brain injury and multiple sclerosis.

    These securities have not been registered under the United States
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the securities laws of any state,
and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the
account or benefit of U.S. persons unless an applicable exemption from
U.S. registration requirements is available.

    Except for historical information, this press release may contain
forward-looking statements, which reflect the Company's current
expectation regarding future events. These forward-looking statements
involve risk and uncertainties, which may cause but are not limited to,
changing market conditions, the successful and timely completion of
clinical studies, the establishment of corporate alliances, the impact of
competitive products and pricing, new product development, uncertainties
related to the regulatory approval process and other risks detailed from
time to time in the Company's ongoing quarterly and annual reporting.


 
 TSX Venture
Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of
this release.

Contacts:
Stem Cell Therapeutics Corp.
Alan Moore, PhD
President and CEO
(403) 245-5495 ext.224
Email: amoore@stemcellthera.com

Stem Cell Therapeutics Corp.
Chloe Douglas-Crampton
Corporate Secretary
(403) 245-5495 ext. 221
Email: crampton@stemcellthera.com
Website: www.stemcellthera.com

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