Dr. Robert Lanza, Chief Scientific Officer Of Ocata Therapeutics Awarded The Honor Of iPSC Industry Influencer

MARLBOROUGH, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ocata Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:OCAT), a leader in the field of Regenerative Ophthalmology™, today announced that Dr. Robert Lanza, Chief Scientific Officer of Ocata Therapeutics has been awarded the honor of iPSC industry influencer by BioInformant, a leading research firm serving the stem cell sector. Dr. Lanza was honored both for his specific involvement in early-stage, pioneering research in the area of induced Pluripotent Stem Cells, or “iPSCs”, as well as for his influence as CSO of Ocata, a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on commercialization of regenerative medicine and cell therapy technologies.

“Dr. Lanza’s pioneering research in cell therapies has made a significant contribution to the invention and development of potential products to treat diseases with no cures or effective treatments available”

“Dr. Lanza’s pioneering research in cell therapies has made a significant contribution to the invention and development of potential products to treat diseases with no cures or effective treatments available,” said Paul K. Wotton, President and CEO of Ocata. “Bob’s vision has enabled Ocata to create a leadership position in pluripotent stem cell technology, including hESC and iPSC programs, that offer hope for safe and effective treatments for eye diseases such as macular degeneration, retinosa pigmentosa and glaucoma, as well as autoimmune diseases including lupus, Crohn’s disease and multiple sclerosis, amongst others.”

Since Dr. Yamanaka discovered how to generate iPSCs in 2007, there has been tremendous enthusiasm about the potential to use these pluripotent cells to develop commercially viable therapies. Ocata Therapeutics was one of the first companies to begin exploring iPSCs for clinical purposes and has conducted research into overcoming technical challenges associated with iPSCs, such as increased cell death, early senescence, and limited growth and expansion capability.

Dr. Lanza’s work in the area of iPSCs also received wide-spread recognition in 2009 when he and a team led by Kwang-Soo Kim at Harvard University reported a method for generating human iPSCs from skin cells via direct delivery of proteins, which removed the risks associated with genetic manipulation. This method created a significantly safer and less controversial source of patient-specific iPSCs for use in clinical applications. The Editors of the journal Nature selected Lanza and Kim’s paper on protein reprogramming as one of five “Research Highlights” of 2009. Dr. Lanza and his team have also discovered how to turn iPSCs into a wide range of important replacement cell types, including universal platelets, red blood cells, as well as ocular cell types such as photoreceptors, and ganglion cells, which have the potential to provide therapies for some of the world’s most debilitating eye conditions.

About Ocata Therapeutics, Inc.

Ocata Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialization of regenerative ophthalmology therapeutics. Ocata’s most advanced products are in clinical trials for the treatment of Stargardt’s macular degeneration, dry age-related macular degeneration, and myopic macular degeneration. Ocata’s intellectual property portfolio includes pluripotent stem cell platforms – hESC and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) – and other cell therapy research programs. For more information, visit www.ocata.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

All statements, other than historical facts, contained in this news release, including statements regarding Ocata’s future expectations, beliefs, goals, plans, results or prospects expressed by management constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements that are not statements of historical fact (including statements containing the words “will,” “believes,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “estimates,” and similar expressions) should also be considered to be forward-looking statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements, including: the fact that Ocata has no product revenue and no products approved for marketing; Ocata’s limited operating history; Ocata’s need for and limited sources of future capital; potential failures or delays in obtaining regulatory approval of products; risks inherent in the development and commercialization of potential products; reliance on new and unproven technology in the development of products; the need to protect Ocata’s intellectual property; the challenges associated with conducting and enrolling clinical trials; the risk that the results of clinical trials may not support Ocata’s product candidate claims; the risk that physicians and patients may not accept or use Ocata’s products, even if approved; Ocata’s reliance on third parties to conduct its clinical trials and to formulate and manufacture its product candidates; and economic conditions generally. Additional information on potential factors that could affect our results and other risks and uncertainties are detailed from time to time in Ocata’s periodic reports, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, opinions, and expectations of Ocata’s management at the time they are made, and Ocata does not assume any obligation to update its forward-looking statements if those beliefs, opinions, expectations, or other circumstances should change. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, opinions, and expectations of Ocata’s management at the time they are made, and Ocata does not assume any obligation to update its forward-looking statements if those beliefs, opinions, expectations, or other circumstances should change. There can be no assurance that Ocata’s future clinical trials will be successful or that the results of previous clinical studies will lead to commercialization or products or therapies.