CLEVELAND, Nov. 11, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Athersys, Inc. (NasdaqCM:ATHX - News) today announced it will present at the Lazard Capital Markets 5th Annual Healthcare Conference, to be held November 18-19, 2008, at The St. Regis hotel in New York City.

Gil Van Bokkelen, Chairman and Chief Executive, and William (B.J.) Lehmann, President and Chief Operating Officer, will present on Tuesday, November 18th, at 9:25 AM (Eastern Standard Time). Investors may listen to a live audio web cast of Athersys' presentation by accessing the following link: http://www.wsw.com/webcast/lz5/ahys.ob/.

A web cast replay of the presentation can be accessed via the company's web site at: http://www.athersys.com, under the Investors section.

About Athersys, Inc.

Athersys is a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery and development of therapeutic product candidates designed to extend and enhance the quality of human life. In addition to its lead product candidate, ATHX-105, the Company is developing other orally active pharmaceutical product candidates for the treatment of metabolic and central nervous system disorders. Athersys is also developing MultiStem(r), a patented, adult-derived ``off-the-shelf'' stem cell product platform for multiple disease indications, including damage caused by myocardial infarction, bone marrow transplantation/oncology support, ischemic stroke and other indications. More information is available at http://www.athersys.com.

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

          Athersys, Inc.
          William (B.J.) Lehmann, J.D., President and Chief Operating
           Officer
          (216) 431-9900
          bjlehmann@athersys.com

          In-Site Communications
          Lisa M. Wilson
          (917) 543-9932
          lwilson@insitecony.com