The Company has acquired exclusive, world-wide rights from Columbia University to a patent portfolio that covers the use of hematopoietic stem cells for blood vessel formation and cardiac functional recovery. In addition to the specific use of these cells, the patent portfolio includes recognition that signals from short peptides called chemokines can substitute for delivery of the cells themselves by causing migration of the cells from the bone marrow to the site of the peptide and tissue damage. The most potent of these peptides is stromal-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) and the patent portfolio contains broad claims around the use of this chemokine for blood vessel growth and improvement of heart function. The patents cover the use of a number of other chemokines that also recruit hematopoietic stem cells to the site of ischemia and tissue damage, thereby also inducing blood vessel generation and improving cardiovascular function. These patents provide Angioblast with strong enablement and usage patents for each set of technology and can currently block any other party from entering this field with these products.