| Revascularization Possible After PLX Therapy 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 favorable results have been obtained
in pre-clinical testing using the Company's proprietary PLX cells to
treat limb ischemia, a potential market of over $1 Billion.
Mr. Zami Aberman, Pluristem Chairman and CEO commented, "These
results are encouraging and suggest that our PLX cells may be the first
allogeneic, off-the-shelf product to treat this serious disease." PLX
cells are placenta derived mesenchymal stem cells expanded in the
Company's proprietary PluriX(TM) 3-D bioreactor system.
Scientists administered Pluristem's proprietary PLX cells in vivo to
one set of ischemic mice. Post-treatment evaluation using Doppler
technology indicated revascularization of the limb treated with PLX
cells but not in those that were not treated with PLX. The hind legs of
mice were rendered ischemic using standard industry methodologies.
Industry experts have estimated that therapeutics used in the
treatment of limb ischemia market is over $1 Billion. However, current
therapeutic methodologies have proven ineffective for many severe limb
ischemic situations and led the medical community to call for the
development of cellular therapies, such as Pluristem's PLX cells and
other methods as alternative treatments.
About Limb Ischemia
In the US alone, it is estimated that 8-12 million people suffer from
limb ischemia. The disease is characterized by narrowing and hardening
of the arteries in the patient's limb(s) and caused and/or aggravated by
diabetes, Buerger's Disease, other diseases and smoking. With decreased
blood flow to the affected extremity, patients can suffer a host of
complications including nerve and tissue damage. In advanced stages,
limb ischemia can lead to gangrene which often requires treatment with
amputation. The disease is associated with a high rate of mortality and
the need for frequent hospitalization from surgical complications.
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
PLX Cells Shows Promise in Treating Limb Ischemia a potential market of
over $1 Billion; that the Pluristem's cells can potentially result in
beneficial therapies for a number of serious diseases and that the
Company's PLX cells may be useful for treating or causing
revascularization in the disease of limb ischemia; that These results
are encouraging and suggest that our PLX cells may be the first
allogeneic, off-the-shelf product to treat this serious disease. 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.
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