Advanced Cell Technology Announces Favorable Ruling on Human Applications of Nuclear Transfer, Issuance of Patent, and Intent to Appeal Adverse Ruling on Animal Claims WORCESTER, Mass., Feb. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- A.C.T. Holdings, Inc. (OTC:ACTH) (BULLETIN BOARD: ACTH) and Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. (ACT) announced today the decision of the Board of Patent Appeals and Interference, interference number 105,192, between itself and Geron Corporation (NASDAQ: GERN) over methods of producing cultured inner cell mass (CICM) cells, often referred to as embryonic stem cells. The Board granted ACT's motion to remove from the interference its patent claim relating to the human species, affirming in its decision that "this claim is not properly before us." In a second aspect of the decision of the Board of Patent Appeals and Interference ruled against ACT and in favor of Geron on other motions relating to the cloning of non-human animal embryos and CICM cells. ACT intends to appeal this decision. Today ACT also announces the issuance of an important US patent relating to the use of nuclear transfer in regenerative medicine, US Patent No. 6,808,704, titled "Method for Generating Immune-Compatible Cells and Tissues Using Nuclear Transfer Techniques". That patent is completely unrelated to the animal cloning patents involved in the interference proceedings with Geron. "Advanced Cell Technology is focused on the human medical applications of stem cell technology. It has been our contention all along that this interference relates to patent claims for non-human animal cloning and therefore does not relate to our core human product focus. This ruling makes our point for us," said William M. Caldwell, CEO of Advanced Cell Technology. "However, we have numerous commercial partners utilizing ACT's patented animal cloning technology and we intend to defend our patents vigorously. We intend to appeal the decision relating to the animal cloning claims." Dr. Michael D. West, Chairman, President, and Chief Scientific Officer of A.C.T. Holdings, Inc. commented on the issuance of US Patent No 6,808,704 saying: "Regenerative medicine is a technology with many potential human applications. Yet unlike many advances in the past, regenerative medicine demands many new research tools. Our new patent provides one such tool, facilitating the testing of cells and tissue-engineered constructs." A.C.T. Holdings, Inc. is a biotechnology company applying human stem cell technology in the emerging field of regenerative medicine. The company is currently headquartered in Worcester, Massachusetts. The company intends to establish a research facility in California, where voters last November passed Proposition 71. Often referred to as the "Stem Cell Initiative", Proposition 71 provides $3.0 billion over the next ten years for stem cell research. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results, events and performance could vary materially from those contemplated by these forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause the company's actual results in future periods to differ materially from results expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because they involve these risks and uncertainties. You should independently investigate and fully understand all risks before making investment decisions. DATASOURCE: A.C.T. Holdings, Inc. CONTACT: William M. Caldwell IV, or Michael D. West, Ph.D., both of A.C.T. Holdings, Inc., +1-508-756-1212 Web site: http://www.advancedcell.com/

Copyright