Pluristem Chairman and
CEO, Mr. Zami Aberman commented, "By owning these patents
exclusively, the Company not only gains full access to its IP
portfolio, but also enables substantially more future financial
returns as we have the sole right to sub-license our technology
without the obligation to pay up to a 25% royalty fee. We believe
that our revenues will be substantial in the coming years and this
purchase will improve our margins as well as increase value for our
shareholders. We intend to develop this technology platform into a
functional stem cell production system for the treatment of a
variety of indications; the first being a safe, effective and
efficient alternative to bone marrow transplantation."
The technology covered under the agreement pertains to a three
dimensional (3-D) bioreactor system known as PluriX(TM). This
bioreactor creates an environment similar to natural bone marrow and
enhances the expansion of mesenchymal stem cells that are obtained
from the placenta, termed Placental eXpanded (PLX) cells. These
resulting stromal cells are allogeneic and will not require HLA
matching when used in transplant therapies. Using PluriX(TM),
Pluristem estimates they can produce up to 1,000 patient doses per
placenta at a significantly lower cost than current methods.
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 We believe that our revenues will be substantial in the coming
years and this purchase will improve our margins as well as increase
value for our investors; that we intend to develop this technology
platform into a functional stem cell production system for the
treatment of a variety of indications; that our first indication
will be effective and efficient alternative to bone marrow
transplantation; that PLX stromal cells are allogenic and will not
require HLA matching when used in transplant therapies; that using
PluriX(TM) we can produce up to 1,000 patient doses per placenta at
a significantly lower cost than current methods. 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.
