VCEL Vericel Corporation

Aastrom Biosciences, Inc. Added to Russell 3000 Index ANN ARBOR, Mich., June 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Aastrom Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASTM) announced today that it was added to the Russell 3000(R) Index effective at the close of market on Friday, June 24, 2005. The Russell 3000 Index measures the performance of the 3,000 largest U.S. companies based on total market capitalization. Membership in the Russell 3000, which remains in place for one year, means automatic inclusion in other Russell indexes. Russell determines membership for its equity indexes primarily by objective market capitalization rankings. Russell indexes are widely used by investment managers and institutional investors for index funds and as benchmarks for investment strategies. Investment managers who oversee Russell's funds purchase shares of member stocks according to each company's weighting in a particular index. About Russell Russell, a global leader in multi-manager investment services, provides investment products and services in more than 39 countries. Russell manages more than $135 billion in assets and advises clients worldwide representing $2.3 trillion. Founded in 1936, Russell is a subsidiary of Northwestern Mutual and is headquartered in Tacoma, Wash., with additional offices in New York, Toronto, London, Paris, Singapore, Sydney, Auckland and Tokyo. For more information, go to http://www.russell.com/. About Aastrom Biosciences, Inc. Aastrom Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASTM) is developing patient-specific products for the repair or regeneration of human tissues, utilizing the Company's proprietary adult stem cell technology. Aastrom's strategic position in the tissue regeneration sector is enabled by its proprietary Tissue Repair Cells (TRCs), a mix of bone marrow-derived adult stem and progenitor cells, and the AastromReplicell(R) System, an industry-unique automated cell production platform used to produce cells for clinical use. TRCs are the core component of the products Aastrom is developing for severe bone fractures, ischemic vascular disease, jaw reconstruction and spine fusion, with Phase I/II level clinical trials active in the U.S. and EU for some of these indications. For more information, visit Aastrom's website at http://www.aastrom.com/. This document contains forward-looking statements, including without limitation, statements concerning planned clinical trials, product development objectives, potential product applications, and potential advantages of Tissue Repair Cells (TRCs) and the AastromReplicell(R) System, which involve certain risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements are also identified through use of the word "plan," and other words of similar meaning. Actual results may differ significantly from the expectations contained in the forward-looking statements. Among the factors that may result in differences are clinical trial results, potential product development difficulties, the effects of competitive therapies, regulatory approval requirements, the availability of financial and other resources and the allocation of resources among different potential uses. These and other significant factors are discussed in greater detail in Aastrom's Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. CONTACTS: Kris M. Maly or Cameron Associates Becky Anderson Kevin McGrath -- Institutions Investor Relations Department Phone: (212) 245-4577 Aastrom Biosciences, Inc. Alyson Nikulicz -- Media Phone: (734) 930-5777 Phone: (212) 554-5464 DATASOURCE: Aastrom Biosciences, Inc. CONTACT: Kris M. Maly or Becky Anderson, Investor Relations Department of Aastrom Biosciences, Inc., +1-734-930-5777; or Kevin McGrath, Institutions, +1-212-245-4577, or Alyson Nikulicz, Media, +1-212-554-5464 Web site: http://www.aastrom.com/ http://www.russell.com/

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