CellPro Inc. on Tuesday said it will expand Phase I/II trials ofits stem cell concentrator to the Fred Hutchinson CancerResearch Center in Seattle.

The Bothell, Wash., company said results of its initial trials atthe University of Colorado, Denver, were "encouraging." TheCeprate SC System is used to concentrate and purify stem cells,the precursors of all blood cells, for reinfusion into cancerpatients.

Additional clinical sites for testing will be added early nextyear, the company said.

The company's stock (NASDAQ:CPRO) closed down $2 at $11.50.Rival Systemix Inc. (NASDAQ:STMX), whose process forpurifying stem cells is in preclinical development, closed down$2.75 at $36.75.

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