Pluristem Granted Patent for Foundational Cell Har

HAIFA, Israel, Jan. 6, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pluristem Therapeutics Inc . (Nasdaq: PSTI ) (TASE: PSTI ), a leading developer of placenta-based cell therapy products, announced today that it has been issued Patent No. 2013/07160, titled "Methods and Systems for Harvesting Adherent Stromal Cells", in South Africa. This patent addresses Pluristem's methods for using vibration to harvest cells grown on three-dimensional scaffolds, the harvested cells themselves, and devices developed for this process. The lack of an effective technology for harvesting live cells from these carriers was a longstanding roadblock to three-dimensional growth of cell therapy products.

Pluristem's invention for harvesting manufactured cells from three-dimensional scaffolds is a central element of its technology platform. The scaffolds, contained within proprietary bioreactors, use a high surface-to-volume ratio to make possible an extraordinarily efficient cell growth system. This degree of efficiency is necessary for cost-effective production of commercial quantities of therapeutic products, and could potentially provide Pluristem with a significant advantage.

"Our vibrational harvesting technology works with our patented technology platform to create a high-yield of cells that have high viability and vitality. From cell growth to cell harvesting, Pluristem's patented and patent-pending methods may enable cell therapy to become a marketable technology on a scale that we believe is unmatched in the cell therapy industry," stated Pluristem CEO Zami Aberman.

About Pluristem Therapeutics

Pluristem Therapeutics Inc. is a leading developer of placenta-based cell therapy products. The Company's patented PLX (PLacental eXpanded) cells release a cocktail of therapeutic proteins in response to inflammation, ischemia, hematological disorders, and radiation damage. PLX cells are grown using the Company's proprietary three-dimensional expansion 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.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and federal securities laws. For example, forward-looking statements are used in this press release when we say that our patented and patent-pending methods may enable cell therapy to become a marketable technology on a scale that we believe is unmatched in the cell therapy industry. These forward-looking statements and their implications are based on the current expectations of the management of Pluristem only, and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements: changes in technology and market requirements; we may encounter delays or obstacles in launching and/or successfully completing our clinical trials; our products may not be approved by regulatory agencies, our technology may not be validated as we progress further and our methods may not be accepted by the scientific community; we may be unable to retain or attract key employees whose knowledge is essential to the development of our products; unforeseen scientific difficulties may develop with our process; our products may wind up being more expensive than we anticipate; results in the laboratory may not translate to equally good results in real surgical settings; results of preclinical studies may not correlate with the results of human clinical trials; our patents may not be sufficient; our products may harm recipients; changes in legislation; inability to timely develop and introduce new technologies, products and applications; loss of market share and pressure on pricing resulting from competition, which could cause the actual results or performance of Pluristem to differ materially from those contemplated in such forward-looking statements. Except as otherwise required by law, Pluristem undertakes no obligation to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. For a more detailed description of the risks and uncertainties affecting Pluristem, reference is made to Pluristem's reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Pluristem Therapeutics Inc.: Karine Kleinhaus, MD, MPH Divisional VP, North America 1-914-512-4109