ES Cell International Ptd Ltd.

Distribution of products and technologies derived from human embryonic stem (hES) cells.

ES Cell International Pte Ltd (ESI) was founded in summer 2000 in Singapore. The necessary seed capital for the foundation was provided by Life Science Investments Pte Ltd, a subsidiary of the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) and ES Cell Australia Ltd (ESCA), an Australian investment consortium. These funds are dedicated to develop the intellectual property owned by the Monash Institute of Reproduction and Development (Australia), The National University of Singapore and Hadasit Medical Organisation (Israel), which have been exclusively licensed to ES Cell International. In 2004, the NIH granted the Embryonic Stem Cell Research Award to ES Cell International, which provides funding support over the next three years. ESI persues research and development facilities in Singapore and Melbourne, Australia.

Alan Colman, Dr., CEO
Bruce Davidson, Dr., CSO
Angie Ng, Financial Controller
Suresh Chandran, IP & Licensing Manager

Philipp Yeo, Chairman
Jennie Chua
Ian McNiece, Ph.D.
Chu Swee Qeok
Lily Chan, Ph.D.
Carl D. Strachan
Alan Colman, Dr.

Robert Lechler, Prof., Chairman
Sir Roy Calne, Prof.
Gordon Keller,Ph.D., Prof.
Christopher Wright, D.Phil., Prof.
Patrik Brundin, Ph.D., Prof.
Loren Field, Prof.
Pieter A. Doevendas, Ph.D., Prof.
James Shapiro, Dr.

11 Biopolis Way
05-06 Helios
Singapore 138667
Phone: +65-6774-9533
Fax: +65-6774-5077

Due to its hES (human embryonic stem) cell technology platform, ESI is able to proliferate and harvest clinically applicable hES cells. By using genomic, proteomic and high-throughput testing approaches, the company tries to find out the self-renewal mechanisms of hES cells. Identified stimuli are a useful way to differentiate hES cells in an intended direction. ESI is also investigating the development of cell replacement therapies for degenerative diseases especially for diabetes and Parkinson’s disease.

ESI has developed six hES cell lines, which are all listed at the National Institutes of Health Stem Cell Registry. All of them are fully characterised (Nature Biotechnology, Vol 18, April 2000) and were derived with informed consent under rigorous ethical guidelines.

The company plans to start clinical trials of its first therapeutic drug development by 2006.

The following section contains a selection of the company’s most relevant patents. For comprehensive patent information please refer to the espacenet databases.