StemCells
StemCells, Inc. was a development-stage biotechnology company that researched and developed cell-based therapeutics, notably HuCNS-SC neural stem cell technology, targeting central nervous system disorders. Founded in 1992 by Weissman and Gage, it was later delisted from NASDAQ and is no longer operating.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1992
- HeadquartersNewark, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What StemCells does
StemCells, Inc. was a development-stage biotechnology company founded in 1992 by Irving Weissman and Fred Gage and headquartered in Newark, California. The company focused on the research, development, and commercialization of cell-based therapeutics and supporting tools for stem cell and regenerative medicine applications, with a flagship program built around proprietary HuCNS-SC human central nervous system stem cell technology targeting disorders of the central nervous system. Operationally it operated as a clinical-stage biotech with 51-100 employees during its active period, funded historically through equity financing including a $20 million round in July 2014.
The company was publicly listed on NASDAQ under the ticker STEM prior to its delisting, and its leadership roster during the operating period included Martin McGlynn as President & CEO and Graham Macdonald and Richard Barker as successive Chairmen of the Board. In August 2016 StemCells announced an acquisition of Microbot Medical for an undisclosed amount. Subsequently the company ceased operating as a going concern; the stemcellsinc.com domain that previously hosted corporate content now displays unrelated Greek philosophical prose, and no current operating disclosures, product portfolio, headcount, customer base, or revenue figures are present in the available evidence. As a result, no live commercial operations, products, or revenue can be verified.
Given the absence of product approvals, no disclosed pricing, no customer relationships, and no active revenue stream, the business model that historically applied was a development-stage biotech construct: capital raised from public-equity and private-placement investors funded preclinical and clinical research, with revenue contingent on future therapeutic commercialization or partnership/out-licensing economics rather than near-term product sales. Today StemCells has no verifiable active operations.
StemCells firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- StemCells
- Website
- https://stemcellsinc.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1992
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- StemCells, Inc. was a development-stage biotechnology company that researched and developed cell-based therapeutics, notably HuCNS-SC neural stem cell technology, targeting central nervous system disorders. Founded in 1992 by Weissman and Gage, it was later delisted from NASDAQ and is no longer operating.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
StemCells industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Cell-Based Therapeutics
- NAICS
- Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414)
- SIC
- Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Stem Cell–Based Regenerative Therapies (HLAAAGAA)
Keywords
Where StemCells is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Newark
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
StemCells business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
StemCells product offering
Product offeringCore offering
StemCells, Inc. was engaged in the research, development, and commercialization of cell-based therapeutics and tools for use in stem cell applications. The company's work focused on regenerative medicine, including the development of human neural stem cell-based products designed to treat disorders of the central nervous system and other conditions addressable through cell-based approaches.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Cell-based therapeutics Cell-based therapeutic candidates developed for use in regenerative medicine applications, including neural and other tissue indications, intended for pharmaceutical and clinical research customers.
- Stem cell research tools Stem cell research tools and related offerings intended for academic and commercial research institutions conducting stem cell biology and translational research.
Companies that use StemCells
Customer profileIdeal customer profiles2 records
StemCells technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
StemCells partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators3 records
Recent moves4 records
StemCells competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Athersys: Clinical-stage regenerative medicine company developing MultiStem cell therapy for stroke and trauma; overlapped with StemCells in CNS/cell therapy indications.
- International Stem Cell Corporation: Pre-revenue stem cell therapy developer focused on neural and hepatic applications, with similar clinical stage and capital-constrained profile as the original StemCells, Inc.
- Lineage Cell Therapeutics: Cell therapy company that acquired the Spinal Cord Injury program assets from StemCells, Inc., making it a direct corporate successor and most precise peer for residual CNS programs.
- Geron Corporation: Historic stem cell therapy peer that also delisted its human embryonic stem cell program and pivoted to oncology; directly comparable in lifecycle, capital constraints, and clinical attrition experienced by StemCells, Inc.
- ViaCyte: Pioneer in stem cell-derived pancreatic islet cell therapies; comparable in being a long-duration clinical cell therapy developer with similar capital intensity profile.
- Neuralstem: Developed neural stem cell therapies for CNS indications (ALS, spinal cord injury) using a cell transplant approach directly analogous to StemCells' HuCNS-SC platform.
- BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics: Develops autologous stem cell therapies (NurOwn) for neurodegenerative diseases (ALS, MS); directly comparable therapeutic area and cell-based modality to StemCells' CNS focus.
Emerging players
- BlueRock Therapeutics: Bayer-owned iPSC-derived cell therapy developer with active CNS and cardiac programs; represents the modern direction of neural cell therapy that a reactivated StemCells entity would compete against.
Broad incumbents
- Mesoblast: Commercial-stage cell therapy company (remestemcel-L, Ryoncil) and a broad incumbent in regenerative medicine; comparable regulator pathway and production challenges around cell-based therapeutics.
- Sangamo Therapeutics: Clinical-stage cell and gene therapy developer with CNS-focused programs; comparable delivery modality (cell-based) and indication mix.
Market position
Strengths2 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat2 records
Key risks4 records
Key highlights4 records
Customer concentration
StemCells social profiles
Digital presenceStemCells financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
StemCells leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
StemCells funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
StemCells M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about StemCells
What does StemCells do?
StemCells, Inc. was engaged in the research, development, and commercialization of cell-based therapeutics and tools for use in stem cell applications. The company's work focused on regenerative medicine, including the development of human neural stem cell-based products designed to treat disorders of the central nervous system and other conditions addressable through cell-based approaches.
Is StemCells a public or private company?
StemCells is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was StemCells founded?
StemCells was founded in 1992. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is StemCells based?
StemCells is headquartered in Newark, United States, in the North America region.
Who are StemCells's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Athersys, International Stem Cell Corporation, Lineage Cell Therapeutics, Geron Corporation, ViaCyte, Neuralstem and BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics. BlueRock Therapeutics is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Mesoblast and Sangamo Therapeutics.
Does StemCells have an API?
No public API is recorded for StemCells.
What industry is StemCells in?
StemCells's product category is Cell-Based Therapeutics. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAAAGAA, Stem Cell–Based Regenerative Therapies. Its NAICS code is 541714 and its SIC code is 2836.