Millipore Releases First Commercially Available Immortalized Human Neural Progenitor Cell Lines and Media

Billerica, Massachusetts --- November 16, 2006 ---

Millipore Corporation today announced the launch of the ReNcell™ product line, the only human immortalized neural somatic stem cell lines on the market today. The ReNcell products are a convenient solution for scientists needing reproducible results with neurons easily derived from human cells. These progenitor cells are particularly useful in drug discovery applications, where the development of these pathways can be monitored during screening.

ReNcell CX cells stained with the neural stem cell marker Nestin (green) and counterstained with Hoechst nuclear stain (blue) at 60X magnification.

The ReNcell product line consists of two cell lines of immortalized human neural progenitor cells and media for the maintenance, expansion and freezing of the cells. These cell lines and media are available either individually or as a kit. This product line is a result of a distribution agreement announced earlier this year between Millipore Corporation and ReNeuron Group plc.

“We have been encouraged by the level of enquiries from potential customers for the ReNcell lines leading up to market launch, and we look forward to our continuing collaboration with Chemicon as the scientific research and commercial potential of these cell lines is realized in the months and years ahead,” said Michael Hunt, CEO of ReNeuron Group.

These immortalized human neural progenitor cells have the ability to readily differentiate into neural cell types and will replicate indefinitely. ReNcell immortalized cells display the same marker patterns as normal cells and are able to grow and remain stable after culturing.

“Neurons derived from these cells show physiological properties of mature neurons, which is significantly valuable when validating results,” said Michelle Greene, Millipore Marketing Director. “Even after prolonged passages, ReNcell cells maintain karyotype stability and will not differentiate without an external stimulus.”

Millipore’s Bioscience division provides innovative tools, services and application expertise in the pharmaceutical, academic, life science, applied science, clinical and government research sectors. Its broad range of solutions for drug discovery, lab water, research reagents and sample preparation/biotools help customers improve laboratory productivity and efficiency through optimized workflows. For more information, please contact Millipore Tech Service at 1-800-548-7853 or 951-676-8080 or visit www.millipore.com.

About Millipore

Millipore is a leading provider of products and services that improve productivity in biopharmaceutical manufacturing and in clinical, analytical and research laboratories. The Company is organized in two operating divisions. Its Bioprocess Division helps enables pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to optimize their manufacturing productivity, ensure the quality of drugs, and scale up the production of difficult-to-manufacture biologics. Its Bioscience division helps to optimize laboratory productivity and workflows. Its products and enabling technologies that are used in the laboratory are essential for the research and development of biologically based life science therapeutics. Millipore has a deep understanding of its customers’ research and manufacturing process needs, and offers reliable and innovative tools, technologies and services. The Company is part of the S&P 500 index and employs approximately 5,800 employees in more than 47 offices worldwide. For additional information on Millipore Corporation, please visit its website at: www.millipore.com.

About ReNeuron Group plc

ReNeuron Group plc is a leading player in the stem cell field, using human somatic stem cells to develop leading edge therapies for neurodegenerative and other diseases. The Group is also leveraging their stem cell technologies into non-therapeutic areas such as drug discovery. ReNeuron was founded in 1997 to commercialize technology discovered by its founding scientists working at the Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London. ReNeuron currently employs around 25 staff, including 11 PhDs, with many year's combined experience in stem cell research and development. ReNeuron operates from state-of-the-art laboratories in Guildford, Surrey, UK, which are fitted out to meet the stringent requirements of the regulatory authorities for cell therapy products. For additional information on the ReNeuron Group, please visit its website at: www.reneuron.com.

Millipore is a registered trademark of Millipore Corporation.
ReNcell is a trademark of ReNeuron Group plc.

MILLIPORE NEWS
For immediate release
Media Contact:
Karen Gobler
Communications Manager
Millipore Corporation
978-762-5294
karen_gobler@millipore.com

ReNeuron Group media contact:

Michael Hunt
Chief Executive Officer
ReNeuron Group
44 (0) 1483 302 560
Michael-Hunt@reneuron.com

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