Toronto, Canada (ContentDesk) July 11, 2006 -- A poster presentation outlining the latest advances in its ongoing research into blood-borne stem cell biology and its clinical applications was given by Dr. Yael Porat, Vice-President of Research & Development, TheraVitae Ltd., at the 4th International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) meeting in Toronto, Canada.The presentation focused on the companys advances in its ongoing research into blood-borne stem cell biology and its clinical applications. The highlight was the discovery of unique stem cell populations, which TheraVitaes researchers have successfully isolated from human blood, and their potential to turn into different tissues in-vitro. The ability to obtain this population directly from blood using a simple, painless and rapid isolation process constitutes a major breakthrough in adult stem cell research and builds on the clinical success that VesCell" -- adult stem cell therapy for heart disease, has already demonstrated.Outlining the reason for developing this line of research, Dr. Porat said Blood cells are a very accessible source of progenitor cells and their potential to generate a variety of cell types appears endless.

Our goal is to push the boundaries of stem cell science by constantly developing new therapeutic cellular products.The presentation Synergetic Cell Population: A Multipotent Human Blood-Derived Cell Population as a Potential Source of Therapeutic Progenitor Cells described the use of TheraVitaes core technology. The simple, robust and rapid method of isolation of this distinctive cell population residing in the peripheral blood can lead to the development of treatments for a variety of diseases using the patients own cells.TheraVitae aims to one day provide effective treatments for patients suffering from hitherto incurable diseases, and according to Dr. Porat, the advances that were presented at the ISSCR meeting, constitute a big step towards achieving the development of additional autologous adult stem cell therapeutic products.Dr. Valentin Fulga, CEO of TheraVitae lauded the research team and thanked the ISSCR, It is due to Yael and her teams efforts that our companys research results are being recognized by the International scientific community. We are grateful to the ISSCR for accepting the abstract for presentation and I am convinced that Dr.

Porats dedication and hard work will continue to provide breakthroughs that we can present at future ISSCR meetings.About the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR)The International Society for Stem Cell Research is an independent, nonprofit organization established to promote and foster the exchange and dissemination of information and ideas relating to stem cells, to encourage the general field of research involving stem cells and to promote professional and public education in all areas of stem cell research and application. http://www.isscr.org About the 4th Annual ISSCR MeetingThe 4th Annual Meeting of the International Society for Stem Cell Research was held from June 29 -July 1, 2006 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The keynote speaker was Nobel Laureate John Polanyi who headed the list of over 30 invited eminent scientists from around the world. The annual ISSCR meeting is the worlds largest gathering of stem cell researchers who use forum to discuss scientific advancement, possibilities and concerns in the stem cell field. http://www.isscr.org/meetings/index.htm About TheraVitaeTheraVitae is a private, multinational company focused on using stem cells from the patient's own blood in order to treat a variety of disorders, especially cardiovascular diseases. The company has already developed a proprietary stem cell technology VesCell" that is currently being used by hospitals in Thailand to treat patients with Heart Disease.

TheraVitae is based in Bangkok, Thailand, Kiryat Weizmann, Israel, Toronto, Canada, Singapore, Taipei, Taiwan and Hong Kong. http://www.theravitae.com TheraVitae Thailand36/72 PS Tower, 21/Fl., Sukhumvit 21, Klongtoey Nua, Bangkok 10110Phone: 02-664-4290/3Fax: 02-664-42-89TheraVitae Israel7 Pinhas Sapir Street P.O. Box 4049, Ness Ziona 74140, IsraelPhone: +972-8-9409170Fax: +972-8-9409167.