Athersys To Host Fourth Quarter Financial Results Call

CLEVELAND, Feb. 18, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Athersys, Inc. (Nasdaq:ATHX) today announced it will release its fourth quarter financial results at approximately 4:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on Monday, March 14, 2011, and host a conference call shortly thereafter at 4:30 p.m. EST to review the results. Gil Van Bokkelen, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and William (B.J.) Lehmann, President and Chief Operating Officer, will host the call.

Investors and other interested parties are invited to listen to the conference call by dialing 800-273-1254 in the U.S. and Canada, 973-638-3440 from abroad, or via a live Internet broadcast at the Company's website at www.athersys.com , under the Investors section.

A replay will be available for on-demand listening shortly after the completion of the call until 11:59 PM ET on March 28, 2011, at the aforementioned URL, or by dialing 800-642-1687 in the U.S. and Canada, or 706-645-9291 from abroad, and entering access code 45530421.

About Athersys

Athersys is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery and development of therapeutic product candidates designed to extend and enhance the quality of human life. The Company is developing MultiStem ^®, a patented, adult-derived "off-the-shelf" stem cell product platform for multiple disease indications, including damage caused by myocardial infarction, bone marrow transplantation and oncology treatment support, ischemic stroke, and inflammatory bowel disease. The Company is also developing a portfolio of other therapeutic programs, including orally active pharmaceutical product candidates for the treatment of metabolic and central nervous system disorders, utilizing proprietary technologies, including Random Activation of Gene Expression (RAGE ^®). Athersys has forged several key strategic alliances and collaborations with leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, as well as world-renowned research institutions in the United States and Europe to further develop its platform and products. More information is available at www.athersys.com .

The Athersys, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=4548

CONTACT: William (B.J.) Lehmann, J.D.
         President and Chief Operating Officer
         Tel: [phone]
         [e-mail]
         
         Investor Relations:
         Lisa M. Wilson
         In-Site Communications, Inc.
         Tel: [phone]
         [e-mail]