CIT, Stemina Biomarker Discovery: Announce partnership in Europe for stem cell based toxicology testing

MADISON, WISCONSIN AND EVREUX, FRANCE, February 16, 2011 – CIT – Safety and Health Research Laboratories and Stemina Biomarker Discovery, Inc. announced today that CIT and Stemina have entered into a strategic partnership. Under the arrangement, CIT will distribute Stemina’s devTOX™ assay in Europe and will work with Stemina to validate the test for use under the REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals) initiative. As early as 2012, and more particularly for volumes of one ton or more per year, REACH will require manufacturers and importers to register and test all chemicals and compositions containing chemicals.

DevTOX uses human embryonic stem (hES) cells to test pharmaceuticals, chemicals and formulations such as cosmetics for their potential to cause birth defects if a woman is exposed during pregnancy. DevTOX is able to model human developmental toxicity with about 90% accuracy in blinded studies of chemicals whose effect on the developing human embryo are known. This is a significant improvement from rodents, which are only about 60% predictive of the effect of a compound on human development.

Stemina developed devTOX by exposing hES cells to a set of drugs, such as Thalidomide, whose effect on the developing human embryo is known and then analyzing the metabolic response of the cells using Stemina’s proprietary metabolomics platform technology. The hES cells, isolated in 1998 by Dr. James Thomson at the University of Wisconsin and approved for use in the United States and the European Union, offer a unique opportunity to understand human development and the impact of birth defect causing agents on the developing embryo.

Stemina studies the response of hES cells and various cells derived from hES cells, such as heart cells and neurons, to drugs or disease conditions. “We are excited about our partnership with CIT in Europe. Stemina’s cutting edge hES cell based technology combined with CIT’s more than 40 years of experience in toxicology and safety testing is a terrific combination,” says Stemina CEO, Elizabeth Donley.

CIT is an expert in high quality preclinical development of pharmaceuticals, chemicals and consumer products. At CIT’s state-of-the-art facilities in Evreux France, less than one hour from Paris, Stemina and CIT will validate the devTOX assay for use under the REACH initiative and develop additional innovative technologies for evaluating the safety of compounds for animal and human use.

“CIT is very excited about its strategic investment and partnership with Stemina especially because of its expertise in the important and cutting edge field of stem cells and metabolomics,” said Dr Roy Forster, CSO of CIT. “The partnership offers an opportunity for unique approaches to assessing the safety of candidate drugs, chemicals and consumer products. Working with Stemina, we will assure that our clients have access to the most innovative technology for evaluating the toxicity and safety of compounds.”

About CIT 
CIT is a science-driven, independent, non-clinical contract research organization (CRO) specialized in safety and health research. Founded in 1969, CIT has carried out a vast number of projects for international companies on human and veterinary pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, chemicals, agrochemicals and consumer products. It has contributed to many product registrations around the world. With a staff of 360, CIT offers a full range of research in general toxicology, reproductive toxicology, carcinogenicity, pharmacokinetics and safety pharmacology. The company also carries out research into genetic toxicology, in vitro testing and toxicogenomics. Its 20,000-square meter (215,000 sq ft) facilities located in Normandy, one hour from Paris, France, house all principal laboratory animal species to the highest standards. Laboratory facilities include analytical chemistry and bioanalysis, clinical pathology, genomics and histology. Support facilities include archives and plant buildings. The company is GLP and AAALAC certified. More than half the company’s business comes from international customers. Overall, 80 percent of revenues are in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sector. Biotechnology and start-up companies alone account for 50 percent. The company has a world-class team of top-level management in scientific, financial and business activities. For more information about CIT, visit http://www.citox.com

About Stemina

Stemina Biomarker Discovery was founded in 2007 based on technology created at the University of Wisconsin by Dr. Gabriela Cezar. Located in the University of Wisconsin Research Park in Madison Wisconsin, Stemina’s cell based assays arise from the strategic convergence of two cutting edge technologies: hES cells and metabolomics. Stemina uses mass spectrometry to analyze the small molecules secreted by cells and in patient samples in response to drugs, injury or disease. Stemina is a recognized leader in hES based toxicology and safety. For more information about Stemina, visit http://www.stemina.com.

Press and Media contact

For CIT:

Andrew Lloyd & Associates

Agnes Dalosi / Andrew Lloyd

Tel: +44 1273 675100 – Fax: +44 1273 675400

agnes@ala.com / allo@ala.com

For Stemina:

Elisabeth Donley, Chief Executive Officer

Tel: +1 (608) 577-9209

bdonley@stemina.com