NEWARK, Calif., Oct. 26, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- StemCells, Inc. (Nasdaq:STEM) announced today that President and CEO Martin McGlynn will make a presentation on the Company's programs and operations at the 2^nd Annual Investor and Partnering Forum during the 2012 Stem Cell Meeting on the Mesa to be held October 29 -31. Mr. McGlynn is scheduled to speak at 10:15 a.m. Pacific Time on Tuesday, October 30, at the Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine in La Jolla, California.

The Stem Cell Meeting on the Mesa is a three-day conference organized by the Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) and the Alliance for Regenerative Medicine (ARM). The goal of the conference is to bring together the scientific research and business development communities in regenerative medicine to advance stem cell science into cures for debilitating diseases and injuries. The meeting features a nationally recognized Scientific Symposium attended by leading scientists and researchers, as well as an Investor and Partnering Forum designed to facilitate a bridge between academia and industry through one-on-one meetings, furthering the translation of clinical research.

About StemCells, Inc.

StemCells, Inc. is engaged in the research, development, and commercialization of cell-based therapeutics and tools for use in stem cell-based research and drug discovery. The Company's lead therapeutic product candidate, HuCNS-SC® cells (purified human neural stem cells), is currently in development as a potential treatment for a broad range of central nervous system disorders.  In a Phase I clinical trial in Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease (PMD), a fatal myelination disorder in children, the Company has shown preliminary evidence of progressive and durable donor-derived myelination in all four patients transplanted with HuCNS-SC cells. The Company is also conducting a Phase I/II clinical trial in chronic spinal cord injury in Switzerland and recently reported positive interim data for the first patient cohort. The Company has also initiated a Phase I/II clinical trial in dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and is pursuing preclinical studies in Alzheimer's disease. StemCells also markets stem cell research products, including media and reagents, under the SC Proven® brand. Further information about StemCells is available at http://www.stemcellsinc.com.

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Apart from statements of historical fact, the text of this press release constitutes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. securities laws, and is subject to the safe harbors created therein. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the clinical development of its HuCNS-SC cells; the Company's ability to commercialize drug discovery and drug development tools; and the future business operations of the Company. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this news release. The Company does not undertake to update any of these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date hereof. Such statements reflect management's current views and are based on certain assumptions that may or may not ultimately prove valid. The Company's actual results may vary materially from those contemplated in such forward-looking statements due to risks and uncertainties to which the Company is subject, including those described under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form   10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 and in its subsequent reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K.

CONTACT: Rodney Young
         StemCells, Inc.
         Chief Financial Officer
         (510) 456-4128
         
         Ian Stone
         Russo Partners
         (619) 308-6541