An investigative panel probing disgraced scientist Hwang Woo-suk has denied a report that the DNA fingerprints of five cloned cells from his lab match those of the original somatic cells of patients.

A panel member said Wednesday that it is too soon to confirm the allegation since the panel has received only a partial report on the DNA tests and that further experiments are still underway.

On Thursday morning, the panel in a news conference will announce its probe results along with an interim briefing on the DNA tests.

It will also say how and why Hwang's team paid 30,000 dollars to researcher Kim Sun-jong and if Kim attempted suicide in early November as reported.