VelosBio to be Acquired by Merck…

Athersys, Inc. (Nasdaq:ATHX) announced today that it has been granted U.S. patent 7,659,118 that covers non-embryonic multipotent stem cells, their isolation and expansion, and related pharmaceutical compositions. Athersys also announced that it has been granted — and the opposition period has cleared — EP patent EP1218489B1 that covers non-embryonic pluripotent stem cells, their isolation, expansion, and usage.