| NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Pluristem Life Systems, Inc. (OTCBB:PLRS
- News), a cell
therapy company dedicated to the commercialization of stem cell
products, today announced evidence that its PLX-BMT cells have proven to
be immune privileged. PLX-BMT cells are Pluristem's first potential
product dedicated to resolving the global shortfall of matched tissue
for bone marrow transplantation by improving the engraftment of
umbilical cord blood. PLX-BMT cells are mesenchymal stems cells obtained
from the placenta and expanded by using Pluristem's proprietary 3D
PluriX(TM) technology. Immune privileged is defined as the absence or
diminution of rejection when implanted into unmatched recipients. Being
immune privileged, the PLX-1 cells carry significant positive
implications in the development of Company products for a variety of
degenerative, malignant and immune diseases. Additionally, this immune
modulating property could prove important in treating or preventing
immune reactions associated with transplantation.
Ora Burger PhD. V.P. of R&D at Pluristem states: "Our PLX-BMT cells
possess immune privileged characteristics that can be used in the future
for other applications involving transplantations. PLX-BMT cells posses
these immune privileged characteristics without carrying the associated
social stigmata of embryonic stem cells because PLX-BMT cells come from
the placenta."
William R. Prather RPh, MD, Sr. V.P. Corporate Development notes:
"Mesenchymal stem cells can differentiate into a range of different
tissues types associated with the musculoskeletal system such as bone,
cartilage, fat, muscle, tendon and ligament. Consequently, mesenchymal
stem cells are considered to be multipotent. Additionally, some reports
provide evidence of these cells plasticity or the ability of mesenchymal
stem cells to traverse tissue boundaries and give rise to cells of a
different non-musculoskeletal tissue, such as brain or liver cells. If
this is the case, mesenchymal stem cells may be used to help treat a
broad range of tissues affected by damage or disease. Allogeneic
transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells between different individuals
may also be possible as these cells appear to be immune privileged in
that they are not necessarily rejected when implanted into unmatched
recipients. The characteristic of these cells being immune privileged
may enable Pluristem to be involved with new clinical applications with
PLX-BMT."
About Pluristem
Pluristem Life Systems, Inc. is life sciences driven company that is
developing and commercializing stem cell expansion technology products
for the potential treatment of a variety of disorders. The Company is
discovering and developing cell-based therapeutics that utilizes adult
stem cells expanded in a three-dimensional proprietary bioreactor
mimicking 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.
PLX-BMT, Its first adult stem cell product is intended to target a
critical global shortfall of matched tissue for bone marrow
transplantation since bone marrow transplantation is often the only cure
for patients suffering from leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma and many other
hematological diseases. The Company has made a strategic decision to
work only with adult stem cells since the practical use of embryonic
stem cells is severely restricted by various religious, ethical and
legal considerations.
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
its PLX I cells proved to be immune privileged; that immune privilege
characteristic of the PLX I cells will enable Pluristem to enter to new
clinical applications; that mesenchymal stem cells may be used to help
treat a broad range of tissues affected by damage or disease; and that
we are discovering and developing cell-based therapeuticsc. Factors
which may prevent our forward looking statements from coming to fruition
include that 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 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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