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NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Pluristem Life Systems, Inc.
(OTCBB:PLRS -
News;
DAX:PJT), a bio-therapeutics Company dedicated to the commercialization
of products for a variety of malignant, degenerative and auto-immune
indications, announced today that Pluristem's PLacenta eXpanded (PLX)
cells have been demonstrated in vitro to have properties that the
Company believes gives these cells the potential to treat Parkinson's
Disease (PD). PLX cells are Pluristem's placental-derived mesenchymal
stem cells (MSCs) that have been expanded in the Company's proprietary
PluriX(TM) 3-D bioreactor.
Pluristem Chairman and CEO, Mr. Zami Aberman commented, "These
preliminary results are encouraging. We intend to pursue further in
vitro and in vivo studies with our PLX cells in the treatment of
Parkinson's Disease as well as other disorders of the central nervous
system. As a cellular therapy for PD and other neurodegenerative
diseases, our PLX cells could be a readily available source of important
enzymes, neurotransmitters and neurotrophic factors." Pluristem believes
their future products will participate in the approximate $30 billion
therapeutic and regenerative cellular market.
The in vitro assay demonstrated that Pluristem's PLX cells can be
differentiated into dopaminergic neurons. These neurons were found to
have properties favorable to cells, which are known to be helpful in
treating PD. These properties include the expression of tyrosine
hydroxylase, and the finding of elevated nurr1 mRNA levels.
Additionally, these neurons were found to secrete favorable neurotrophic
factors such as GDNF, BDNF, IGF-1, and astrocytes markers such as
S-100-b, GLUL, and GFAP.
About Parkinson's Disease
PD is a well characterized degenerative neurological disease whose
symptoms are felt to be related to damage to dopamine-producing cells in
the Central Nervous System (CNS). PD is felt to currently afflict
approximately four million people in the western world which represents
a multi-billion dollar market annually.
About Pluristem
Pluristem Life Systems, Inc. is a Company dedicated to the
commercialization of non-personalized (allogeneic) stem cell therapy
products for the treatment of numerous severe degenerative, malignant
and autoimmune disorders. The Company's first planned product, PLX-BMT,
targets a $2 billion market and is intended to resolve the global
shortfall of matched tissue for bone marrow transplantation (BMT) by
improving the engraftment of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) contained
in umbilical cord blood (CB).
Pluristem's products are derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)
obtained from the placenta and expanded in the Company's proprietary
PluriX(TM) 3D bioreactor that imitates the natural microstructure of
bone marrow and does not require supplemental growth factors, cytokines
or other exogenous materials. Pluristem believes the resultant expanded
cells, termed PLX cells, are multipotent and able to differentiate into
a variety of cell types as well as being immune-privileged to protect
the recipient from immunological reactions that often accompanies
transplantation. Pluristem believes their future products will
participate in the approximate $30 billion therapeutic and regenerative
cellular market.
Pluristem has offices and is incorporated in the USA with research
and manufacturing facilities in Israel.
www.pluristem.com
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains statements, which may constitute
"forward-looking statements" regarding our intent, belief or current
expectations. Forward-looking statements in this release include that
"the Company believes PLX cells have the potential to treat Parkinson's
Disease (PD); that We intend to pursue further in vitro and in vivo
studies with our PLX cells in the treatment of Parkinson's Disease as
well as other disorders of the central nervous system. As a cellular
therapy for PD and other neurodegenerative diseases;that our PLX cells
could be a readily available source of important enzymes,
neurotransmitters and neurotrophic factors. And that Pluristem believes
their future products will participate in the approximate $30 billion
therapeutic and regenerative cellular market. Factors that could prevent
our forward looking statements from being achieved include that we may
be unable to get regulatory approval for our products; we may be
unsuccessful in developing any products; our technology may not be
validated as we progress further and our methods may not be accepted by
the scientific community; we may be unable to retain or attract key
employees whose knowledge is essential to the development of our
products; unforeseen scientific difficulties may develop with our
process; results in the laboratory may not translate to equally good
results in real surgical settings; our patents may not be sufficient to
protect essential aspects of our technology; competitors may invent
better technology; our products may not work as well as hoped or worse,
our products may harm recipients; and we may not be able to raise funds
for development or working capital when we require it. As well, our
products may never develop into useful products and even if they do,
they may not be approved for sale to the public. For further risk
factors see the Company's latest 10-KSB filed with the SEC.
For more information visit our website at
www.pluristem.com
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