Gore backs stem cell venture

SAN FRANCISCO, April 15 (UPI) -- Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore is backing a collaboration to promote the development of cellular reprogramming in medical research.

California biotechnology firm iZumi Bio said it will work with Japan's Kyoto University to promote the basic research, development and application of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell technology.

"The discovery that iPS cell technology brings, that 'stem cell-like' cells can be generated from a small amount of human skin rather than from embryos, opens a new door for stem cell research and its application to therapeutic discovery," Gore, a partner at the venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield and Byers, said Tuesday in a release.

The firm is backing the $20 million venture, USA Today said.