Company's Use of Non-Selected MonoNuclear
Cells in PluriX(TM) Bioreactor Reaps Significant Results, Low Cell Loss
Ratio, a Highly Cost-Effective Process and Avoids Arduous Regulatory
Approvals
HAIFA, Isreal--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 7,
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 the
Company has overcome the major industry hurdle in the selection and
separation of hematopoeitic stem cells (HSC) from adult source tissue.
The methodologies used in current HSC
expansion protocols apply an enrichment stage where a rare subpopulation
of source cells, defined as CD34 positive cells, are selected from a
large and mixed population of mononuclear cells. This process results in
a substantial loss of source cells and targets a cell population that
may not represent the earliest extractable population of HSC.
Additionally, to the best of the Company's knowledge, there are no
FDA-approved protocols for the selection of CD 34 positive cells for
regular clinical use.
Pluristem has devised a method which extracts and preserves for use a
much larger number of CD34 positive cells than prior methods.
Pluristem's advanced approach to cell selection and separation was
accomplished by using non-selected mononuclear cells (MNC) in the
Company's U.S. patented three dimensional scaffolding with flow-through
co-culture techniques simulating the physiological environment within
the bone marrow. The efficacy of the system in expanding non-selected
MNC is based upon the selective adherence of HSC and early progenitor
cells from the general MNC pool to the 3-D stroma cells cultures within
the bioreactor system.
Dr. Ora Burger, Vice President of Development, stated, "The existing
stem cell separation and selection process is not conducive to growing
industry requirements in effectively separately the largest amount of
CD-34 cells requisite for expansion. Pluristem's solution sets, what we
expect, to become another industry standard."
"Clearly the stem cell selection and separation process has been
reinvented through Pluristem's new process - bountiful with benefits
that involve the availability of cells for expansion that could
positively impact the lives of seriously ill patients, the "open"-ended
non-regulatory guided process, and long term per-patient cost
efficiencies of scale," added Zami Aberman, CEO.
About Pluristem
Pluristem strives to become a leading biopharmaceutical company
developing, producing and marketing 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.
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 having overcome the
major industry hurdle in the selection and separation of HSC from adult
source tissue; that our solution may become an industry standard; and
that our solution has benefits that involve the availability of cells
for expansion that could positively impact the lives of seriously ill
patients, the "open"-ended non-regulatory guided process, and long term
per-patient cost efficiencies of scale . Actual outcomes and our actual
results could differ materially from those in such forward-looking
statements, as we may find that other methods may be invented that are
superior to ours, we may find that there are serious side effects to our
method, or our expected benefits cannot materialize because of increased
costs, regulatory hurdles or inability to fund product development. 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.
Contact:
For Pluristem Life Systems, Inc.
DeMonte Associates
Cynthia DeMonte, 718-706-5005
cdemonte@aol.com
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Source: Pluristem Life Systems, Inc. |
