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Pluristem Demonstrates
the Potential of Its PLX Cells to Treat Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis
Wednesday May 28, 3:31 am
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NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Pluristem
Therapeutics Inc. (NasdaqCM:PSTI)
(DAX:PJT), a bio-therapeutics company dedicated
to the commercialization of unrelated donor-patient (allogeneic) cell therapy products for a variety of
degenerative, ischemic and autoimmune
indications, today announced that the Company’s
PLacental eXpanded (PLX) cells have demonstrated
in vivo efficacy in the treatment of
Crohn’s Disease and
Ulcerative Colitis, collectively termed
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). PLX cells are
Pluristem’s
placental-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs)
that have been expanded in the Company’s
proprietary PluriX™
3-D bioreactor.
Mice and rats each received
intrarectal administration of trinitrobenzene
sulphonic acid (TNBS), a standard method for
inducing IBD in animal models. The macroscopic
and microscopic anti-inflammatory effects of the
intravenous administration of PLX-BMTBD cells were
then evaluated and compared to control animals
that received only saline. PLX-BMTBD cell therapy
significantly reduced the TNBS-induced colon
lesions both in the macroscopic and microscopic
evaluations compared to the control animals and
to animals given therapy that is currently the
standard of care in IBD.
Mr. Zami Aberman, Pluristem’s
President and CEO, commented:
“This trial’s
favorable results, which demonstrate our PLX
cells’ ability to
treat Inflammatory Bowel Disease, as well as our
previous studies indicating their potential use
to help Multiple Sclerosis patients, show the
potential for our PLX cells to treat global
autoimmune diseases. We believe that the unique
capabilities of our PLX cells will lead to
cooperative efforts between Pluristem and other
significant players in the field of autoimmune
diseases to benefit millions of patients. As a
cellular therapy, our PLX cells, that are
derived from human placenta, a
non-controversial, non-embryonic, adult stem
cell source and are stored ready-to-use, could
prove to be a readily available therapeutic
alternative or addition for these disorders."
About IBD
Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's
disease, known collectively as Inflammatory
Bowel Disease (IBD), currently affect 0.5-1% of
the Western world's population. This translates
to over one million people in America (525,000
Ulcerative Colitis, 490,000 Crohn's Disease) and
four million people worldwide. Sufferers
experience a range of gastrointestinal symptoms,
including diarrhea, rectal bleeding and
abdominal pain. Children with IBD suffer delayed
growth and sexual maturation. Ulcerative colitis
is restricted to the colon while Crohn's disease
can affect all regions of the gastrointestinal
tract. Because IBD is chronic and typically has
an onset before 30 years of age, patients
generally require lifelong treatment. The
estimated market for treatment of IBD is over $2
billion.
About Pluristem
Pluristem Therapeutics Inc. is a
bio-therapeutics company dedicated to the
commercialization of non-personalized
(allogeneic) cell therapy products for the
treatment of several severe degenerative,
ischemic and autoimmune disorders. The Company
is developing a pipeline of products, stored
ready-to-use, that are derived from human
placenta, a non-controversial, non-embryonic,
adult stem cell source.
These placental mesenchymal
stromal cells (MSCs) are expanded in the
Company's proprietary PluriX(TM) 3D bioreactor,
which imitates the natural microstructure of
bone marrow and does not require supplemental
growth factors or other exogenous materials.
Pluristem believes that the resultant PLX
(PLacental eXpanded) cells are multi-potent and
able to differentiate into a variety of cell
types. Recent evidence also suggests their
efficacy may be related to the secretion of
cytokines or other potent immune modulators.
Furthermore, PLX cells are immune privileged and
have immunomodulatory properties, thus
protecting the recipient from immunological
reactions that often accompany transplantations.
Pluristem's first product in
development, PLX-PAD, is intended to improve the
quality of life of millions of people suffering
from peripheral artery disease (PAD). The
Company's products in development also include
PLX-BMT, targeting 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; PLX-STROKE, targeting
ischemic stroke; PLX-MS, targeting Multiple
Sclerosis; and PLX-BMTBD, targeting patients
suffering from Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD),
which includes Crohn’s
disease and Ulcerative Colitis.
Pluristem has offices in the USA
with research and manufacturing facilities in
Israel.
See our product animation on
YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFhWXyJT6Us.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains
forward-looking statements within the meaning of
the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and
federal securities laws. For example, when we
say that this trial’s
favorable results, which demonstrate our PLX
cells’ ability to
treat Inflammatory Bowel Disease, as well as our
previous studies indicating their potential use
to help Multiple Sclerosis patients, show the
potential for our PLX cells to treat global
autoimmune diseases, or that we believe that the
unique capabilities of our PLX cells will lead
to cooperative efforts between Pluristem and
other significant players in the field of
autoimmune diseases to benefit millions of
patients, or that as a cellular therapy, our PLX
cells that are derived from human placenta, a
non-controversial, non-embryonic, adult stem
cell source, and are stored ready-to-use, could
prove to be a readily available therapeutic
alternative or addition for these disorders, we
are using forward-looking statements. These
forward-looking statements are based on the
current expectations of the management of
Pluristem only, and are subject to a number of
factors and uncertainties that could cause
actual results to differ materially from those
described in the forward-looking statements. The
following factors, among others, could cause
actual results to differ materially from those
described in the forward-looking statements:
changes in technology and market requirements;
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; our products may harm
recipients; changes in legislation; inability to
timely develop and introduce new technologies,
products and applications; loss of market share
and pressure on pricing resulting from
competition, which could cause the actual
results or performance of Pluristem to differ
materially from those contemplated in such
forward-looking statements. Except as otherwise
required by law, Pluristem undertakes no
obligation to publicly release any revisions to
these forward-looking statements to reflect
events or circumstances after the date hereof or
to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated
events. For a more detailed description of the
risk and uncertainties affecting Pluristem,
reference is made to Pluristem's reports filed
from time to time with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
For more information visit our
website at
www.pluristem.com, the content of which is
not part of this press release.
Contact:
Pluristem Therapeutics Inc.
William Prather RPh, MD, 303-883-4954
Sr. VP Corporate Development
bill@pluristem.com
Source: Pluristem Therapeutics Inc.
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