STOCK TITAN

International Stem Cell (OTC: ISCO) to sell LCT business for $25M

Filing Impact
(Moderate)
Filing Sentiment
(Neutral)
Form Type
8-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

International Stem Cell Corporation agreed to sell 100% of the membership interests of its subsidiary Lifeline Cell Technology, LLC to American Type Culture Collection, Inc. under a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement signed July 10, 2026. The aggregate purchase price is $25.0 million, subject to closing-date adjustments for net working capital, cash and indebtedness. Cash paid at closing will be reduced by an escrow totaling $2.6 million, comprised of a $100,000 adjustment escrow and a $2.5 million indemnity escrow.

The transaction includes a post-closing adjustment process: the purchaser delivers a closing statement within 90 days after closing, the seller may dispute it within 30 days, and unresolved items go to an independent financial firm. Closing is expected in the third fiscal quarter of 2026, subject to customary conditions and absence of blocking governmental actions.

Stockholders holding more than 50% of the seller’s voting power entered support agreements to approve the deal, grant irrevocable proxies, and restrict transfers, with written stockholder consent required within 24 hours of signing. The agreement imposes covenants on operating LCT in the ordinary course pre-closing, plus five-year post-closing non-solicitation, non-interference and non-compete restrictions, and provides for termination if not closed within 60 days, subject to a limited SEC-related extension.

Positive

  • None.

Negative

  • None.
Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement Business
The company signed a significant contract such as a merger agreement, credit facility, or major partnership.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits Exhibits
Financial statements, pro forma financial information, and exhibit attachments filed with this report.
Purchase Price $25.0 million Aggregate purchase price for 100% of LCT membership interests
Adjustment Escrow $100,000 Escrow fund to cover post-closing purchase price adjustments
Indemnity Escrow $2.5 million Escrow fund to secure indemnification obligations
Closing Statement Period 90 days Time after closing for purchaser to deliver closing statement
Dispute Period 30 days Time for seller to dispute the purchaser’s closing statement
Support Holders Voting Power more than 50% Voting power of stockholders signing support agreements
Non-compete Duration five years Post-closing duration of non-solicitation and non-compete covenants
Outside Date 60 days Period after signing before either party may terminate if not closed, subject to extension
Membership Interest Purchase Agreement regulatory
"entered into a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”)"
A membership interest purchase agreement is a contract used when someone buys an ownership stake in a limited liability company (LLC). It spells out what is being sold, the price, any promises about the business’s condition, and who takes responsibility for debts or legal issues—like a receipt and rulebook for the sale. Investors care because it transfers control, affects future cash flow and liabilities, and can change the value and tax treatment of their investment.
indemnity escrow amount financial
"The escrow amount consists of a $100,000 adjustment escrow amount and a $2.5 million indemnity escrow amount."
post-closing adjustment process financial
"The Purchase Agreement provides for a post-closing adjustment process under which Purchaser is required"
non-solicitation covenant regulatory
"Seller is also subject to a non-solicitation covenant prohibiting solicitation of competing strategic transactions"
A non-solicitation covenant is a contract clause that stops one party from actively recruiting or doing business with the other party’s employees, customers or suppliers for a set time. Think of it as a temporary “do not lure” rule that protects relationships and team members after a deal or employment change. For investors, it reduces the risk that key staff or clients will be poached, helping protect revenue, integration plans and the value of the investment.
transition services agreement financial
"Purchaser and Seller also entered into a transition services agreement to be effective upon the closing"
A transition services agreement is a formal arrangement where one company continues to provide essential services—such as IT, human resources, or accounting—to another company after a business deal or change in ownership. It acts like a temporary bridge, ensuring smooth operations during a transition period. For investors, it provides clarity on how long support will last and helps assess potential costs and stability during the change.
irrevocable proxy regulatory
"Each support agreement also grants Purchaser an irrevocable proxy to vote the applicable stockholder’s shares"
An irrevocable proxy is a legal authorization in which a shareholder gives another person or entity the permanent right to vote their shares and cannot later take that voting permission back. It matters to investors because it locks who controls voting power on key issues—like board elections, mergers, or major policy changes—so it can change corporate control and influence the value or direction of an investment much like handing someone an unchangeable voting card.
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FAQ

What transaction did ISCO announce involving Lifeline Cell Technology, LLC?

International Stem Cell Corporation agreed to sell 100% of the membership interests of Lifeline Cell Technology, LLC to American Type Culture Collection, Inc. for an aggregate purchase price of $25.0 million, subject to customary closing and adjustment mechanisms.

What is the purchase price and escrow structure in ISCO’s LCT sale?

The aggregate purchase price is $25.0 million, adjusted for working capital, cash and debt. At closing, cash to the seller will be reduced by a $100,000 adjustment escrow and a $2.5 million indemnity escrow, totaling $2.6 million held in escrow.

When is the ISCO sale of Lifeline Cell Technology expected to close?

Closing of the Lifeline Cell Technology transaction is expected in the third fiscal quarter of 2026, subject to customary mutual closing conditions, including absence of prohibitive governmental orders or litigation challenging the deal.

What post-closing adjustment process applies to ISCO’s $25.0M LCT sale?

After closing, the purchaser must deliver a closing statement within 90 days. The seller has 30 days to dispute it, with unresolved items submitted to a nationally recognized financial services firm, and any final positive or negative adjustment settled between the parties or the adjustment escrow.

How have ISCO stockholders committed to support the LCT transaction?

Requisite holders with over 50% of ISCO’s voting power signed support agreements to vote in favor of the transaction, grant the purchaser irrevocable proxies if instructions are not delivered, and restrict transfers, with written stockholder consent required within 24 hours of signing.

What restrictive covenants affect ISCO after selling Lifeline Cell Technology?

For five years after closing, ISCO and its affiliates are subject to covenants prohibiting solicitation of specified LCT employees or consultants, interference with specified LCT business relationships, and engaging in LCT’s business in the covered geographic area, subject to a customary passive investment exception.
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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): July 10, 2026

  

 

 

INTERNATIONAL STEM CELL CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware 000-51891 20-4494098

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

(Commission

File Number)

(IRS Employer

Identification Number)

 

9745 Businesspark Ave, San Diego, California 92131

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

 

(760) 940-6383

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

N/A

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
   
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
   
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)
   
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CAR 240.13e-4(c))

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

None N/A N/A

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

 

Emerging growth company  

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  

 

 

   
 

 

Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

 

On July 10, 2026 (the “signing date”), International Stem Cell Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company” or “Parent”), International Stem Cell Corporation, a California corporation (“Intermediate” and, together with Parent, “Seller”), Lifeline Cell Technology, LLC, a California limited liability company (“LCT”), and American Type Culture Collection, Inc., a District of Columbia corporation (“Purchaser”), entered into a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”). Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, Seller agreed to sell, assign, transfer, convey and deliver to Purchaser, or its designated affiliate, 100% of the issued and outstanding limited liability company interests of LCT, free and clear of all liens other than restrictions under applicable securities laws, and Purchaser agreed to acquire such interests, in each case on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Purchase Agreement. LCT’s business relates to the development, manufacture, marketing and sale of biological materials and reagents, including primary human cells, stem cells, and cell culture media and reagents for use in scientific research.

 

The aggregate purchase price for the membership interests is $25.0 million, subject to adjustment based on estimated net working capital, estimated closing date cash and estimated closing date indebtedness. The cash consideration payable to Seller at closing will equal the purchase price, less the escrow amount required to be deposited with the escrow agent. The escrow amount consists of a $100,000 adjustment escrow amount and a $2.5 million indemnity escrow amount. The Purchase Agreement provides for a post-closing adjustment process under which Purchaser is required to deliver a closing statement within 90 days after closing, Seller may dispute the closing statement within 30 days after delivery, and unresolved disputes are submitted to a nationally recognized financial services firm reasonably acceptable to Purchaser and Seller. Any final positive adjustment amount is payable by Purchaser to Seller, and any final negative adjustment amount is recoverable first from the adjustment escrow fund and, to the extent the adjustment exceeds that fund, payable by Seller to Purchaser.

 

The closing is expected to occur in the third fiscal quarter of 2026 and is subject to customary closing conditions. In addition, Seller will file an information statement reflecting the receipt of stockholder approval, which shall be filed no later than 10 business days following the signing date.

 

The Purchase Agreement contains customary representations and warranties by Seller, LCT and Purchaser. In addition, the Purchase Agreement contains customary covenants, including covenants requiring Seller and LCT to use commercially reasonable efforts to conduct the business in the ordinary course, preserve the business organization and preserve material relationships, subject to specified exceptions. The Purchase Agreement also contains customary restrictive covenants, restricting Seller and LCT from taking certain actions during the pre-closing period without Purchaser’s consent. Seller is also subject to a non-solicitation covenant prohibiting solicitation of competing strategic transactions during the period from signing until closing or termination of the Purchase Agreement, subject to limited exceptions.

 

The Purchase Agreement includes restrictive covenants applicable for five years after closing, including covenants prohibiting Seller and its affiliates from soliciting specified business employees or consultants, interfering with specified business relationships of LCT, and engaging in LCT’s business within the applicable geographic area, subject to a customary passive investment exception. The Purchase Agreement also includes mutual non-disparagement provisions subject to customary exceptions.

 

The obligations of the parties to consummate the transaction are subject to customary mutual closing conditions, including the absence of any governmental order prohibiting the transaction and the absence of any governmental litigation challenging the transaction. The agreement contains customary indemnification obligations.

 

In connection with the Purchase Agreement, the stockholders of Seller identified as requisite holders holding more than 50% of the outstanding voting power of Seller entered into support agreements, dated July 10, 2026, pursuant to which they agreed to vote all of their shares of Seller’s capital stock in favor of the transaction, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the support agreements. Each support agreement also grants Purchaser an irrevocable proxy to vote the applicable stockholder’s shares in favor of the transaction if such stockholder fails to deliver voting instructions consistent with its support agreement, and restricts the stockholder from transferring or encumbering its shares prior to termination of the support agreement, subject to limited exceptions. Seller is required to obtain a written stockholder consent from the requisite holders no later than 24 hours after execution of the Purchase Agreement and to file a preliminary information statement with the SEC within 10 business days after the date of the Purchase Agreement.

 

Further, Purchaser and Seller also entered into a transition services agreement to be effective upon the closing, whereby Seller and Purchaser will provide transition services for a specified period of time.

 

 

 

 2 

 

 

The Purchase Agreement may be terminated before closing by mutual written consent of Purchaser and LCT or by either Purchaser or LCT if the transaction has not been consummated within 60 days after the date of the Purchase Agreement, subject to specified limitations and an automatic extension to ten business days following completion of SEC review or clearance if the failure to close is attributable to review of, or delay in clearance or effectiveness of, any SEC filing, registration statement or other submission required in connection with the transaction. The Purchase Agreement may also be terminated by either party in customary circumstances. In the event of termination, the Purchase Agreement generally becomes void, subject to survival of specified provisions and without relieving any party from liability for fraud or willful and material breach before termination.

 

The foregoing summaries of the Purchase Agreement and Support Agreement do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of such agreement, which agreements are filed as Exhibits 2.1 and 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits

     

Exhibit

Number

 

Description

   
2.1†   Membership Interest Purchase Agreement, dated July 10, 2026, by and among International Stem Cell Corporation, International Stem Cell Corporation, Lifeline Cell Technology, LLC, a California limited liability company, and American Type Culture Collection, Inc.
     
10.1   Form of Support Agreement

 

104

  Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)
     
  Schedules have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(a)(5) of Regulation S-K. The Company hereby undertakes to furnish supplemental copies of any of the omitted schedules upon request by the SEC; provided, that the Company may request confidential treatment pursuant to Rule 24b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, for any schedules so furnished
 

 

 

 

 

 

 3 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

  INTERNATIONAL STEM CELL CORPORATION
     
     
  By: /s/ Russell Kern
    Russell Kern
   

Executive Vice President, Chief Scientific Officer and

Principal Financial Officer

 

Dated: July 16, 2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 4 

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

5 documents