Pluristem Therapeutics Inc (PSTI)

[lbman]

http://www.istockanalyst.com/business/news/5032041/roundup-israeli-bio-tech-firm-touts-stem-cell-treatment-formultiple-sclerosis



JERUSALEM, Apr. 4, 2011 (Xinhua News Agency) -- Haifa-based Pluristem Therapeutics (NASDAQ:PSTI) has announced that their patented technique for harvesting and growing stem cells from human placenta can successfully treat a wide variety of illnesses, among them multiple sclerosis and diabetes.

Stem cells are "primitive" cells that have the unique ability to develop into any type of cell in the body, allowing for therapeutic treatment of a variety of illnesses. There are two types: embryonic stem cells derived from pre-implantation embryos, and adult adherent stromal cells (ASCs), which can be used in tissue replacement and repair. By using placental cells, Pluristem says they avoid ethical issues surrounding the use of embryonic stem cells.

"We combine a unique source of stem cells, with a unique 3-D manufacturing technique that was developed by the Weizmann ( Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel) and the (Haifa) Technion Israel Institute of Technology," Pluristem CEO Zami Aberman told Xinhua on Sunday.

"Combining them together gave us a platform that can be used for a variety of indications," Aberman said, referring to a range of maladies that the stem cells, grown from ASCs, can treat.

ASCs can grow into a number of different cells, such as nerve, bone marrow, cartilage, ligament, fat, muscle, and tendon cells, and are potentially able to replace damaged tissue.

The company says its range of PLacental eXpanded (PLX) cells can be used in the treatment of hematological diseases, including Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) and blood cancer, in bone marrow transplants, in central nervous system diseases, including multiple sclerosis and Ischemic stroke, and gastrointestinal disorders, such as Crohn's Disease.

In a proprietary process, placental-derived cells are harvested and grown in a patented chemical-free process in a bio-reactor, and then prepared and frozen until use.

Through an infusion, the cells, which do not require tissue matching or immune-suppression treatment, migrate to the afflicted area where they secrete disease-specific proteins, according to the firm.

"We injected 27 patients...and there was no reaction against our cells," Aberman pointed out.

Aberman says their development is commonly used in treating PAD, which is caused by heavy smoking, diabetes, alcoholism, and obesity, in which plaque gradually constricts, and then clogs and blocks arteries. In the lower extremities, the deteriorating arterial flow can lead to pain, wounds, and in extreme cases, amputation.

"We use the 'PLacental eXpanded (PLX)' cells, which are injected into the affected limb in order to eliminate the amputation," Aberman explained.

In March, the firm announced a partnership to begin clinical trials of the cell to treat diabetic foot ulcers at New York University. The American Centers for Disease Control reports that some 12 percent or 2.5 million patients in the United States suffering from diabetes, develop a foot ulcer.

Additionally, "we recently announced our entry into treating muscle injury," with the Charite-University of Medicine at the Berlin-Brandenburg Center for Regenerative Therapies in Germany, Aberman said, which the firm believes can potentially open up a 10 billion U.S. dollar annual market.

"We plan to have about 20 centers in Europe and another 20 in the U.S.," Aberman said.

As well, "we're the only stem cell company that's been approved for clinical studies by the European Commission and the American Food and Drug administration," Aberman said.

Additionally, international pharma giant, Roche announced earlier this week that they are establishing a stem cell consortium to be based on intellectual property rights of Israeli stem cell researchers at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the Technion, according to the Globes business daily.

Commenting on the step, Pluristem's CFO and VP Yaky Yanay on Monday said the move "serves as a proof-point for Israel's strong track record for developing innovative technologies as well as a validation of the hard work put in by the scientists and R&D teams developing these technologies."

"Israel's growing stem cell industry is known throughout the world for commercializing cutting edge technologies and the establishment of this consortium is sure to lead to additional and substantial breakthroughs," Yanay told Xinhua.

Pluristem firm hopes to see the technology marketed by 2014.