Full Press Release Details
Advanced Engineered Cell Graft to Improve Resurgence of the Hematopoietic Stem
Cells in Bone Marrow for Cancer Patients
-Pre-Clinical Animal Model Testing Underway-
January 12, 2005-- Pluristem Life Systems, Inc. (OTCBB:PLRS), a biotechnology company dedicated to the
commercialization of cell therapy products, today announced that the Company has
formulated a cell graft to provide an efficient alternative to the standard
procedure of bone marrow transplantation (BMT). The cell graft is presently in
preclinical trials. The development of this new advanced engineered graft that replenishes the bone
marrow of blood cancer patients can save the lives of million of
Although the field of stem cell technology holds great promise, the
transplantation of HSC into patients with hematological malignancies remains the
only presently FDA-approved clinical procedure. Critical shortfall in
the supply of matched tissue for transplantation creates an urgent need for
alternative sources of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Our procedures are not
Therefore, the Company has launched an extensive experimental
program in a relevant animal model to validate the usefulness and prove the
superiority of its technology over standard-of-care protocols and, the Company
contends, could rival competitor s models.
Pluristem has patented a technology for efficient expansion of HSCs
for bone marrow transplantation from Umbilical Cord Blood (UCB). The
uniqueness of this expansion technology is its ability to mimic the
physiological bone marrow environment by using two independent cell types,
Mesenchymal and HSCs, that are co-cultivated on a 3-D scaffold. Mesenchymal
cells that are abundantly present in human adult tissues (like fat or placenta)
and HSCs from UCB are being co-cultivated in our proprietary bioreactor system
that is devoid of supplemental cytokines and growth factors. The cell population
produced by this expansion technology is highly enriched by a very primitive
subset of hematopoietic cells (characterized as CD34+CD38-). It is well
established that these cells are essential for efficient repopulation of the
bone marrow of a cancer patient. Additionally, potentially harmful cytokines are
not being employed during the cultivation phase. This eliminates risks
associated with the use of cytokines that was conveyed in several scientific
papers and by a recent article published in Nature Biotechnology (Dec
Following ex-vivo expansion of HSCs, the entire mixture
of cells is being transplanted into a subject as an engineered graft. This
unique feature is expected to award Pluristem with an additional advantage over
its competitors - excellent engraftment. When presented to the bone marrow of a
transplanted patient as an engineered graft rather than as HSCs only, a better
engraftment of the donor HSCs is anticipated. This observation was published by
several leading authors and initially demonstrated to be effective in initial
animal model studies by the Company.
Dr. Ora Burger, Vice President of Development, stated, Pluristem
has literally reinvented the process of hematopoietic stem cell expansion and
engraftment through its novel approach. The field of stem cell expansion
technology and BMT is ripe for new approaches that hold the potential to save
millions of lives. Our laboratory in Haifa is a hot-bed of activity gaining
worldwide recognition while acting as an incubator for a host of stem cell
expansion technologies.
Our goal of moving from the research to the development phase is starting to be fulfilled by this breakthrough and previously announced animal model
studies which we plan to bring to the clinic as expeditiously as practicable , stated Zami Aberman, CEO.
The Company plans on presenting its finding in a number of scientific conferences throughout the year, furthering validation of these technological processes while we continue to
go on the road to bring our new message to the investment community, Aberman concluded.
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 include Pluristem s technology eliminates risks
associated with the use of potentially harmful cytokines; that development of our new advanced engineered graft that replenishs the bone marrow of blood cancer patients can save lives of million of people; that our experiments may validate
usefulness and prove superiority of our technology over standard of care protocols could rival competitor s models; that we expect to have an advantage over competitors thourgh excellent engraftment; that we plan on presenting our
findings in a number of scientific conferences throughout the year, furthering validation of these technological processes; that we will bring animal trials to clinic as soon as practicable; that we are moving from the research to the development
stage; and that our platform for expanding stem cells offers breakthrough technology and multiple product opportunities in many therapeutic areas. 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 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.