HAIFA, Israel, Dec. 4, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Pluristem Therapeutics Inc. (PSTI) (TASE:PLTR), a leading developer of placenta-based cell therapy products, announced today that it has entered into a long-term collaboration agreement with Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem. The medical center’s Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cancer Immunotherapy, headed by Professor Reuven Or, will use preclinical models to assess the potential efficacy of PLX-RAD cells for treatment and prevention of hematological deficiencies and complications of bone marrow and umbilical cord blood transplantation. PLX-RAD cells are Pluristem’s second cell therapy product candidate.
“Hadassah is one of the leading medical centers in the world and we are honored to work with Dr. Or and his team. The preclinical studies to be conducted at Hadassah are expected to yield important data about the use of PLX-RAD cells in the treatment of hematological diseases. These data may help Pluristem to direct future clinical trials,” stated Pluristem CEO Zami Aberman. “This is our second collaboration with an academic institution to study PLX-RAD cells since announcing in October that we have the capability to manufacture this product candidate on a large scale.”
The Company’s development plan for PLX-RAD cells includes potential indications such as:
-Enhancement of engraftment of transplanted hematopoietic stem cells for the treatment of bone marrow deficiency, which can result from immune system disorders, genetic diseases, and treatment of leukemia and other blood cancers. Case Western Reserve University is studying PLX-RAD cells to see if they improve engraftment of umbilical cord blood transplants.
-Treatment of acute radiation syndrome (ARS); this indication is being developed in conjunction with the U.S. National Institutes of Health.
-Treatment of bone marrow deficiency in patients who have undergone chemotherapy.
