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Pluristem Initiates Pre-Clinical Study for PLX-1, an Innovative
Stem Cell Solution for Improved Engraftment During Bone Marrow Transplantation
Monday April 24, 9:00 am ET |
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HAIFA, Israel--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 24, 2006--Pluristem Life
Systems, Inc. (OTCBB:PLRS
- News), a cell
therapy company dedicated to the commercialization of stem cell
products, today announced that the Company has started an animal model
study of its innovative stem cell therapy product known as PLX-1. PLX-1
is intended to offer a breakthrough solution to improved engraftment
during bone marrow transplant procedures that use umbilical cord blood (UCB).
"A major reason for the failure of many UCB transplants is the low
engraftment rate of the transplanted hematopoietic stem cells," said Dr.
Ora Burger, Pluristem's R&D Director.
PLX-1, which consists of propagated (adjuvant engineered) mesenchymal
stem cells (MSC) that can be co-transplanted along with the
hematopoietic stem cells (HSC), is expected to significantly improve the
engraftment rate of the HSC.
"An important advantage of using mesenchymal stem cells in this way is
that because they do not elicit an immunological response in the
recipient, tissue matching is probably not required," added Dr. Burger.
Preliminary results of the PLX-1 study are expected during the second
quarter of 2006.
Mr. Zami Aberman, CEO, stated: "Pluristem's novel approach has literally
reinvented the field of bone marrow transplantation which until now has
been limited to procedures and technologies that expand hematopoietic
stem cells only. Pluristem's approach creates a new playing field in
which cells of mesenchymal origin will play a central role. As such, PLX-BMT
could become a mandatory adjuvant therapy to any methodology used in
bone marrow transplants, either through standard clinical
transplantation of cord blood or through the use of manipulated HSCs .
This opens the door for Pluristem to reach an annual market of
approximately 100,000 clinical procedures."
About Pluristem:
Pluristem Life Systems, Inc. is a cell therapy company dedicated to the
commercialization of stem cell therapy products for the treatment of
severe blood disorders. Pluristem is discovering and developing
call-based therapeutics utilizing adult stem cells expanded in a
proprietary bio-reactor that mimics different naturally-occurring
physiological environments. Pluristem expects its first products to be
cell grafts that will provide an efficient and superior alternative to
the standard procedure of bone marrow transplantation to treat blood
cancer and other blood disorders.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains statements, which may constitute
"forward-looking statements". Those statements include statements
regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of Pluristem Life
Systems, Inc., and members of our management as well as the assumptions
on which such statements are based. Forward-looking statements in this
release include statements that PLX-1 is intended to offer a
breakthrough solution to improved engraftment during bone marrow
transplant procedures; that PLX-1 is expected to significantly improve
the engraftment rate of HSC; that using MSCs tissue matching is probably
not required; that preliminary results of the PLX-1 study are expected
during the second quarter of 2006; that PLX-BMT could become a mandatory
adjuvant therapy to any methodology used in bone marrow transplants;
that this opens the door for Pluristem to reach an annual market of
approximately 100,000 clinical procedures; and that Pluristem expects
its first products to be cell grafts that will provide an efficient and
superior alternative to the standard procedure of bone marrow
transplantation to treat blood cancer and other blood disorders ..
Factors which may significantly change or prevent our forward looking
statements from fruition include that we may be unsuccessful in
developing any products; that our technology may not be validated as we
progress further and our methods may not be accepted by the scientific
community; that we are unable to retain or attract key employees whose
knowledge is essential to the development of our products; that
unforeseen scientific difficulties develop with our process; that our
patents are not sufficient to protect essential aspects of our
technology; that competitors may invent better technology; that our
products may not work as well as hoped or worse, that our products may
harm recipients; and that we may not be able 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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Contact:
Pluristem Life Systems, Inc.
Yossi Keret, ++972-54-800-8404
Yossi@pluristem.com
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