Moraga Biotechnology Corp. Discovers a Primitive Embryonic-like Stem Cell in Adult Tissues

LOS ANGELES, March 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Moraga Biotechnology Corporation, an adult stem cell company based in Los Angeles, California, announces the discovery in adult tissues of a very primitive stem cell with properties that are similar to embryonic cells. The Company's scientists found that these adult stem cells were able to differentiate into most tissues and organs of the body -- including spermatogonia. These very early embryonic stem cells appear to be retained in adult tissues as "Blastomere-Like Stem Cells (BLSCs)."

With our proprietary serum-free defined cell culture reagents, the Company's scientists are now able to clone these unique adult stem cells into various cell lines from a single cell. In anticipation of a fast growing market, Moraga is developing special cell lines and proprietary cell culture media for use by research scientists in the life sciences. Since new research points to the possibility that cancers arise as diseases of adult stem cells, the Company believes these adult-derived stem cells may be an invaluable research tool for discovering new molecular pathways and drugs for treating and possibly curing many forms of cancer in the very near future.

Moraga's scientists have also discovered that their stem cells normally reside in large numbers throughout the body. More importantly, the Company has developed a simple and cost-effective method for isolating and purifying millions of its stem cells from adult tissues without the need to expand them outside the body. Moraga's chief executive, Dr. John Wong, said: "This recent discovery is a major breakthrough for the Company. It makes possible new therapeutic approaches using adult stem cells in the field of regenerative medicine." He also added that the Company could quickly enter clinical testing, where damaged tissues, including the heart, brain, skin, or cartilage, could be repaired with the patient's own unmodified stem cells. The Company also intends to use its adult stem cell technology to treat patients suffering from chronic diseases such as diabetes, Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease, using their own stem cells.