Replies to post #33834 on Pluristem Therapeutics Inc (PSTI)

[zzaatt]

Good first post! Totally agree with you.

There seems to be a fear that something will come along (or the natural course of the Covid pandemic) that will obsolete PLX-PAD before it gets off the ground. That is nonsense.

1. Pneumonia is not going away, not for a long time. Irrespective of the cause, PLX cells could play a major role in mitigating the deadly effects for many years.

2. While the notion of UV light becoming one more tool in the armamentarium in the battle against Covid is very interesting, it is extremely unlikely to be decisive. The virus has available to it binding sites in multiple organs (including gut, liver, brain, etc.), which is what makes it so destructive. I don't think UV light in the trachea will be sufficient to put an end to its infestation of the rest of the body where it can mount another attack. Also, to develop and introduce a new mechanical device, to be used internally in the body, is going to take time (and I hope they'll succeed).

I think there are really two decisive issues we need to think about, especially as there are people worrying about the other stem cell companies.

1. Efficacy, not only in absolute terms, but in the specificity of the action of PLX vs the others:
It is fair to assume, that the three different types of stem cells, based on the different technologies used in their production, will result in some differences in their therapeutic profile. The differences may favor one or the other, or may make one more suitable for a particular kind of pneumonia (here the different etiologies may be a significant factor, Covid vs Influenza). At this point I don't think this is known, even by the companies. Clinical results will provide the answer.

2. Scaling of production:
here Pluristem seems to enjoy a definite advantage. If therapeutic benefit is similar to the other two, this will be decisive in clinical/commercial results.

I hope that PLX cells have greater efficacy than the other two (or more entries into the fray eventually), or at least good enough, such that the manufacturing capability of Pluristem will determine the outcome.