HAIFA, Israel, Feb. 20, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Pluristem Therapeutics, Inc. (PSTI) (TASE:PLTR), a leading developer of placenta-based cell therapies, today announced it is submitting its application to the United Stated Food and Drug Administration requesting the Company to be granted Orphan Drug Designation for its PLacental eXpanded (PLX-PAD) cells in the treatment of severe preeclampsia.

Orphan Drug Designation may qualify a company for several benefits under the Orphan Drug Act of 1983 (ODA), as amended. These benefits may include a 7-year period of orphan drug exclusivity upon product approval, a tax credit for certain clinical testing expenses for the orphan drug, written guidance on the non-clinical and clinical studies needed to obtain marketing approval of an orphan drug, and orphan drug grants.

“Having just recently established our Preeclampsia Steering Committee comprised of key medical opinion leaders, this Orphan Drug application submission is an important step in advancing our preeclampsia development program,” stated Pluristem Chairman and CEO Zami Aberman. “The tremendous unmet medical need makes this indication one of our top priorities. We look forward to advancing into human trials and we are hopeful that the very strong preclinical data for PLX cells will translate into similar results at the clinical level.”

Pluristem has successfully received Orphan Drug Designation from the FDA for its PLX cells in two other indications: the treatment of aplastic anemia; and the treatment of Buerger’s disease.

About Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is one of the most common medical complications of pregnancy, and one of the leading known causes of premature births, stillbirths and early neonatal and maternal deaths. If left untreated it can progress to eclampsia, the life-threatening occurrence of seizures during pregnancy. The only definitive treatment for preeclampsia is abortion or delivery. The disease occurs after the 20th week of pregnancy, and is characterized by high blood pressure and significant amounts of protein in the urine or end-organ dysfunction. According to the World Health Organization, preeclampsia occurs in approximately 6%–8% of pregnancies worldwide. It is estimated that preeclampsia costs the global health care system $3 billion annually.

WILMINGTON, Mass., Feb. 20, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Implant Sciences Corporation (IMSC), a high technology supplier of systems and sensors for homeland security and defense markets, today announced the Company’s President & CEO, Glenn Bolduc has been invited by the United States Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration Advocacy Center to participate in a roundtable discussion at the White House on Friday February 21, 2014. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss how the Advocacy Center can best assist American companies in their efforts to export. Mr. Bolduc has been asked to make a brief presentation on Implant Sciences and how its export initiatives have been supported by the Advocacy Center.

“We are honored to be invited to make this presentation at the White House. Implant Sciences has benefitted from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Advocacy Center. We can directly attribute millions of dollars in sales that have resulted from Advocacy Center introductions and support,” Bolduc stated. “As the only U.S.-owned and operated manufacturer of explosives trace detection equipment to have product approval from the TSA, we are proud to contribute to America’s exports and to create high-tech jobs in the U.S.”

Implant Sciences has an expanding global presence and has sold over 2,000 explosives trace detectors in more than 50 countries. The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Advocacy Center has helped support Implant Sciences’ sales efforts in many locations and was critical in completing the Company’s $6 million contract with the Indian government in 2012. With 75 employees, Implant Sciences’ ETDs are 100% manufactured in the USA.

About Implant Sciences

Implant Sciences is the leader in next generation Explosives Trace Detection (ETD) technology. In January 2013, the Company became only the third ETD manufacturer, and the sole American-owned company, to have product approval from the US Transportation Security Administration. Implant Sciences has developed proprietary technologies used in its commercial explosives and drugs trace detection systems, which ship to a growing number of locations domestically and internationally. Implant Sciences’ QS-H150 portable explosives trace detector has received Qualified Anti-Terrorism Technology Designation and, in addition to receiving TSA qualification for air cargo screening, the Company’s QS-B220 has also received STAC certification, a Developmental Testing & Evaluation (DT&E) Designation by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security under the Support Anti-terrorism by Fostering Effective Technology Act of 2002 (the SAFETY Act), and the GSN 2013 Homeland Security Award for “Best Explosives Detection Solution”. For further details on the Company and its products, please visit the Company’s website at http://www.implantsciences.com.