Q Investorideas.com
Your company's stem cell technology focuses on adult stem cells that are derived from human tissues without sacrifice of embryos. Can you give us more detail and explain how; since this has been such a controversial issue with stem cell technology?
A: Dr. James Musick, Chief Executive Officer
There are two major types of stem cells, embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells. Embryonic stem cells are present in embryos and their use may result in destruction of embryos and that process has created opposition to this work on ethical and religious grounds. However, adult stem cells are present in numerous adult tissues and their use does not involve sacrifice of embryos. Our work involves use of adult stem cells exclusively and our stem cell products are derived from human cord blood by methods that involve purification of the stem cells from other cells in blood such as red blood cells.
Also, Vitro and others are working to develop new methods for generation of embryonic stem cells from adult cells without using embryonic cells. These methods include reprogramming of adult cells to gain the ability to differentiate into any cell of the body, which is the hallmark of embryonic stem cells. Further development of this work may allow us to receive all benefits of embryonic stem cells by using adult cells and thus obviate many of the ethical objections to stem cell research.
It is also important to realize that there are tremendous potential benefits of stem cell therapy in treating many conditions that are presently untreatable or under treated. This field is rapidly advancing and there are regular reports of new clinical applications of stem cells that appear almost daily. Recently there was a report of successful treatment of enlarged heart with adult stem cells of the type that Vitro manufactures. Enlargement of the heart can be a serious consequence of heart attack.
Q Investorideas.com
Your business plan is to target niche markets in research and drug development that do not require FDA pre-market approval. Can you give us examples of those markets and the opportunity it represents for the company?
A: Dr. James Musick, Chief Executive Officer
A current niche market segment in the stem cell sector is cell culture media which is used for growth and differentiation of stem cells in a laboratory environment. Culture media is a complex solution that provides cells with nutrients needed to survive outside of the body. Vitro has developed media for culture of a certain type of stem cells called mesenchymal stem cells and our media possesses many competitive advantages including numerous performance advantages and ease of use characteristics. This market is estimated to be $1.2 billion per year in 2015 and with our superior products, and we are positioned to gain a substantial share of this market. While our present products don't require FDA approval for marketing, we are currently developing media for clinical applications that will require FDA approval as a medical device. This is a relatively straight forward process since the product is not a drug or biologic product. Our media may then be used to expand or differentiate adult stem cells prior to their transplantation for therapeutic use. This is an important aspect of our current business development that we anticipate will contribute substantially to our revenue and earnings growth in the near term.
Q: Investorideas.com
The company recently announced increased income of $200,000 through license fees obtained by licensing fertility drug patents, products and technology and that this allows the Company to monetize previously written-off assets through income from license fees and potential sales royalties while also pursuing additional product revenues through sales of its stem cell products.
Can you give us more detail and insight to this and how it benefits the company?
A: Dr. James Musick, Chief Executive Officer.
Vitro had previously patented methods for purification and generation of FSH from immortalized cells. FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) is a fertility hormone used in In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) procedures to treat infertility. This represents a substantial and expanding global market since many couples have difficulty conceiving. Our patented FSH technology was part of our prior manufacturing of antigens for diagnostic uses that was the focus of the Company's operation during the 1990's. However, the patents were viewed as impaired for accounting purposes and were thus written off of the Company's balance sheet. This license agreement brought in license fees of $200,000 and also provides Vitro with royalty payments from sales of licensed products. The license fees will be reported as income and used to payoff a $200,000 debt that the Company had to the licensee. Our accounting and auditing team is now preparing our Form 10Q for this reporting period that will reflect all of the details of this transaction. We anticipate filing this report on or before its due date in mid-June. The royalty payments offer the Company an opportunity to realize additional income as the licensee sells products derived from this license.
Our present operations are focused on generation of revenue from our stem cell products that include: a) human mesenchymal stem cells and derivatives, b) cell culture media, and c) test kits for determination of stem cell quality, potency and response to toxic agents. Thus the license agreement for our fertility treatment technology allows revenue recognition from the Company's patented technology for production of FSH as well.
About Vitro Diagnostics, Inc. (OTCQB: VODG)
Vitro Diagnostics, Inc. dba Vitro Biopharma (OTCQB: VODG) (http://www.vitrobiopharma.com), owns U.S. patents for production of FSH, immortalization of pituitary cells, and a cell line that produces beta islets for use in treatment of diabetes. Vitro also owns a pending international patent for generation of pluripotent stem cells. Vitro's mission is "Harnessing the Power of Cells™" for the advancement of regenerative medicine to its full potential. Vitro operates within a modern biotechnology manufacturing, R&D and corporate facility in Golden, Colorado. Vitro manufactures and sells "Tools for Stem Cell and Drug Development™", including human mesenchymal stem cells and derivatives, optimized media for stem cell self-renewal and lineage-specific differentiation. Vitro recently formed a strategic alliance with HemoGenix®, Inc. (http://www.hemogenix.com/) to jointly manufacture and distribute Lumenesc™ and LumiSTEM™ quantitative assays for determination of stem cell quality, potency and response to toxic agents.
Recent News;
Stem Cell Stock Vitro (OTCQB: VODG) Announces Progress in the Achievement of Profitability
Revenue Increase Due to Licensing Fertility Drug Patents, Products and Technology
Full News: http://www.investorideas.com/CO/VODG/news/2011/05031.asp
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Disclosure: VODG is a paid showcase stem cell stock on Investorideas.com (one month $1000)
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Safe Harbor Statement
This release contains certain "forward-looking statements" relating to the business of the Company and its subsidiary companies. These forward-looking statements are often identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes," "expects" or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to be materially different from those described herein as anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors.
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Vitro Diagnostics, Inc. dba Vitro Biopharma (OTCQB:VODG) is a profiled stem cell stock at Investorideas.com
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Disclosure, Disclaimer/ Disclosure -Vitro Diagnostics, Inc. dba Vitro Biopharma (OTCQB:VODG) showcase stem cell stock, one month, $one thousand, April - May 2011