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Company Simulates Natural Environment of Human Bone to Expand
Hematopoietic Stem Cells, Without Growth Factors, Initially Targeting
Bone Marrow Transplantation Market Exceeding $5 Billion
HAIFA, Israel--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 6, 2005-- Pluristem Life Systems,
Inc. (OTC BB: PLRS - News), a biotechnology company dedicated to the
expansion of stem cells from umbilical cord blood to address a myriad of
fatal illnesses, today announced that it received an Issuance from the
U.S. Patent Office for "Method of Producing Undifferentiated
Hematopoietic Stem Cells Using a Stationary Phase Plug Flow Bioreactor"
- U.S. Patent Number 6911201. The Company also holds issued patents in
Australia, New Zealand and South Africa
The patent
allowance provides coverage to Pluristem's concept of creating a
three-dimensional bone-like environment that supports expansion of
hematopoietic stem cell form cord blood samples while minimizing their
differentiation into more mature cells that cannot be transplanted into
the patient and reconstituted his blood and immune system.
Additionally, the patent issuance protects the concept and the mechanism
of action of the PluriX(TM) bioreactor. Two key features differentiate
Pluristem's system from the surrounding competition. First, unlike the
two-dimensional conditions and the suspension cultures utilized by most
competitors, Pluristem's technology mimics the three-dimensional (3-D)
natural bone marrow environment. Second, the expansion process is
carried out in an environment not supplemented with exogenous, potential
biohazard growth factors.
Pluristem's core technology is designed to expand Hematopoietic Stem
Cells (HSC). These cells are required for bone marrow transplants and
are the only cells that can reconstitute a critically damaged
hematopoietic system. In the physiologic environment simulated within
the PluriX(TM) bioreactor, these life saving stem cells can self-renew
and expand while concomitant differentiation processes are minimized.
Reducing differentiation rate of hematopoietic stem cell is critical to
the validity of any expansion technology as differentiated cells cannot
repopulate and rebuild a patient's hematopoietic (blood and immune)
system. Additionally, our expansion protocol makes use of cord blood
rather than traditionally used bone marrow. Cord blood is preferred over
bone marrow as a source of stem cells for many reasons including absence
of morbidity to the donor and less demanding tissue match for the
recipient.
"Issuance of this patent at this crucial phase in time has allowed
Pluristem to be in a key position in this enormous market. The 3-D human
marrow-like environment created in the PluriX(TM) bioreactor has
enormous potential. This clearly revolutionizes the field of bone marrow
transplantation and can potentially eliminate the suffering associated
with the toxic side effects of traditional therapies," stated Dr Shai
Meretzki, CTO and co-inventor of Pluristem's stem cell expansion
technology.
"Pluristem is well positioned, with this broad patent protection, to
actively pursue partnering relationships, to garner significant market
share due to the strength of the patent issuance, and communicate its
renaissance to the investment community. The issuance of this patent
strengthens our belief that the PluriX(TM) cell expansion system is a
promising solution for the critical global shortfall of matched tissue
for bone marrow transplantation (BMT). The ability of Pluristem's
technology to expand HSCs in a non-supplemented cytokine environment is
to our knowledge unique and has the potential to save millions of
lives," added Zami Aberman CEO.
About Pluristem
Pluristem is a biopharmaceutical company developing stem cell products
for cell regenerative therapy. Pluristem's platform for expanding stem
cells offers breakthrough technology and multiple product opportunities
in many therapeutic areas. Pluristem has exclusive rights to the
PluriX(TM) cell expansion system under a licensing agreement with
Technion Institute of Technology and the Weisman Institute of Science.
For more information, visit the Company's website at: www.pluristem.com.
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 regarding the company receiving a grant for
our patent, that the patent received will protect our intellectual
property, that our system has advantages over competitive systems; that
we will be in a key position in this enormous market; that the
PluriX(TM) bioreactor has enormous potential; that we are well
positioned to actively pursue partnering relationships, to garner
significant market share due to the strength of the patent issuance, and
communicate its renaissance to the investment community; and that our
technology offers opportunities for therapeutic products and to save
lives. Factors which may significantly change or prevent our forward
looking statements from fruition include potential successful challenges
to our patent by competitors; that our patents are not sufficient to
protect essential aspects of our technology; that competitors may invent
better technology; that we may not have sufficient financing to develop
our products; our products may not work as well as hoped or worse, they
may harm recipients; and that we may not be able raise funding 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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Contact:
For Pluristem Life Systems, Inc.
DeMonte Associates
Cynthia DeMonte, 212-605-0525
cdemonte@aol.com
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Source: Pluristem Life Systems, Inc.
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