PETACH TIKVA, Israel, June 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd. (NYSE MKT: CANF) (CFBI.TA), a biotechnology company with a pipeline of proprietary small molecule drugs that address inflammatory and cancer diseases, announced today it has finalized enrollment in its Phase II/III trial of CF101 for the treatment of psoriasis with over 300 patients through 17 clinical centers in the U.S., Israel and Europe. Top line results from the trial are expected in the first quarter of 2015.

The psoriasis therapeutic market was worth $3.6 billion in 2010 and is forecast to grow to $6.7 billion by 2018, according to Global Data. The market is dominated by biological drugs that are primarily administered via intravenous injection (IV) and have potential side effects.

“Based on our studies to date, we believe that, if approved, CF101 would have the potential to offer an oral, safe and well-tolerated treatment alternative for people living with psoriasis,” stated Can-Fite CEO Dr. Pnina Fishman. “Now that we have completed patient enrollment, we hope that the upcoming conclusion of this Phase II/III trial will yield additional data which may prove the efficacy of CF101 in the treatment of psoriasis.”

About the Trial

The Phase II/III double-blind, placebo-controlled study is designed to test the efficacy of CF101 in 300 patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. The first study cohort was comprised of three arms with patients receiving: 1 mg of CF101; 2 mg of CF101; and placebo. All patients receiving placebo were switched to either 1 mg or 2 mg of CF101 after 12 weeks. The primary efficacy endpoints are a statistically significant improvement in standard measures used by dermatologists to assess psoriasis including the Psoriasis Area Sensitivity Index (PASI) score and the Physicians’ Global Assessment (PGA) score as well as various safety parameters.

Interim safety and efficacy results were released from the first 103 patients who completed 24 weeks of treatment in the trial. The positive clinical effects of CF101 at the 2 mg dose relative to placebo were observed through PASI and PGA scores, with the responses accumulating steadily over the 24-week treatment period. To allow the trial to meet its full objectives, the study protocol has been amended to enroll patients for the 2 mg dose and placebo administration for an extended study period of 32 weeks.

HAIFA, Israel, June 19, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Pluristem Therapeutics Inc. (PSTI) (TASE:PLTR), a leading developer of placenta-based cell therapies, today announced that Russia’s Federal Service for Intellectual Property has granted to Pluristem Patent No. 2515156 titled, “Methods of Treating Inflammatory Colon Diseases”. The patent covers methods for treating ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease using placenta-derived cells. This patent has already been issued to Pluristem in South Africa and is currently pending in several other jurisdictions.

“Pre-clinical studies have demonstrated that PLX cells are potentially effective in treating inflammatory bowel disease, and we may consider advancing into clinical trials with this indication in future,” stated Pluristem CEO Zami Aberman. “This patent issued in Russia is the latest in a series of patents we’ve been granted across the globe for the use of placenta-derived cell therapies in a variety of different indications.”

About Pluristem Therapeutics

Pluristem Therapeutics Inc. is a leading developer of placenta-based cell therapies. The Company’s patented PLX (PLacental eXpanded) cells are a protein delivery platform that releases a cocktail of therapeutic proteins in response to a host of local and systemic inflammatory and ischemic conditions. PLX cells are grown using the Company’s proprietary 3D micro-environmental technology and are an “off-the-shelf” product that requires no tissue matching prior to administration.

Pluristem has a strong intellectual property position, Company-owned GMP certified manufacturing and research facilities, strategic relationships with major research institutions and a seasoned management team. For more information visit www.pluristem.com, the content of which is not part of this press release.

HAIFA, Israel, June 16, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Pluristem Therapeutics Inc. (PSTI) (TASE:PLTR), a leading developer of placenta-based cell therapies, today announced it has been granted Patent No. 261087 from India’s Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trade Marks for a patent titled, “Methods for Cell Expansion and Conditioned Media Produced Thereby for Therapy.”

The patent, which has also been granted to Pluristem in Australia, Russia and South Africa, covers the Company’s key technology platform, its method for 3-dimensional expansion of placental and adipose (fat) derived cells. It also covers the composition of cells derived using this method.

“We believe Pluristem is the global leader in the commercial-scale production of placenta-derived cells. In our manufacturing facility, we use proprietary 3-dimensional cell expansion technology that gives us the ability to precisely control cell growth based on the intended indication to be treated. Our ability to do this on a large scale is one of our key assets,” stated Pluristem CEO Zami Aberman.

“This patent issued by India is an important part of our global IP strategy to protect our breakthrough cell production methods in high-value and emerging healthcare markets where we see future potential for growth,” Aberman added.

About Pluristem Therapeutics

Pluristem Therapeutics Inc. is a leading developer of placenta-based cell therapies. The Company’s patented PLX (PLacental eXpanded) cells are a drug delivery platform that releases a cocktail of therapeutic proteins in response to a host of local and systemic inflammatory and ischemic diseases. PLX cells are grown using the Company’s proprietary 3D micro-environmental technology and are an “off-the-shelf” product that requires no tissue matching prior to administration.

Pluristem has a strong intellectual property position, Company-owned GMP certified manufacturing and research facilities, strategic relationships with major research institutions and a seasoned management team. For more information visit www.pluristem.com, the content of which is not part of this press release.

EVEN YEHUDA, Israel, June 11, 2014 /PRNewswire/ —

Bluesphere Corp. (BLSP) (the “Company” or “Bluesphere”), a clean energy company that develops, manages and owns waste-to-energy projects, announced today it is pursuing a strategy to acquire fully operational, revenue generating waste-to-energy facilities in select global markets. The Company is augmenting its current build-own-operate model with an acquirer-own-operate strategy in order to create immediate revenue and cash flow generation, putting the Company on a short term path to profitability in the $6 billion global waste-to-energy market.

Bluesphere is currently conducting due diligence on an acquisition opportunity in Italy for 16 anaerobic digestion waste-to-energy 1 MW facilities that have each been fully operational for at least a year. These facilities have long term agreements with local utilities that are purchasing electricity from the plants. Based on due diligence conducted to date, collectively the plants are producing very high EBITDA, are expected to have an internal rate of return (IRR) of greater than 25%, and if acquired, would generate strong immediate cash for Bluesphere.

“By executing on this acquisition strategy, we believe we are accelerating our timeline to significant revenues, EBITDA and profitability, while also reducing risk by acquiring facilities that have a track record of consistent operational performance. The acquisition opportunity in Italy serves as model for Bluesphere’s future acquisitions as we pursue a tremendous global opportunity in the organic waste-to-energy market,” stated Bluesphere CEO Shlomi Palas.

Bluesphere is currently developing two facilities in the U.S. under its build-own-operate model. The first is a 5.2 MW facility in Charlotte, North Carolina slated to become fully operational in 2015. Approximately $23 million in project financing has been secured from a Fortune 50 company and a leading environmental finance fund. One of the largest power holding companies in the U.S. has signed a long-term contract with Bluesphere to purchase electricity generated at the Charlotte plant.

About Bluesphere Corporation

Bluesphere Corporation is a company in the cleantech sector as a waste-to-energy project integrator. Bluesphere develops waste-to-energy and other renewable energy projects. The Company aspires to become a key player in the global waste-to-energy and renewable energy markets. For further information please visit the Company’s website http://www.bluespherecorporate.com