HAIFA, Israel, June 24, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pluristem Therapeutics Inc . (Nasdaq: PSTI ) (TASE: PLTR ), a leading developer of placenta-based cell therapy products, today announced that it has been granted an Australian patent titled "Adherent Cells From Placenta Tissue and Use Thereof in Therapy". Patent # 2009288781 covers Pluristem's proprietary, three-dimensional method of growing cells from placental or adipose tissue, cells produced by the process, and the use of such cells in the potential treatment of a broad range of conditions. These include peripheral artery disease, other ischemic and cardiovascular diseases, graft-versus-host disease, organ transplantation, cancer, and autoimmune diseases. The patent term will extend until 2027.
The newly granted patent is Pluristem's fifth in Australia, with six more patent applications pending there. Australia has one of the longest life expectancies in the world, and healthcare spending in 2013 totaled $172 billion . It is an important market for therapies that target chronic diseases that occur more commonly in ageing populations, such as critical limb ischemia, intermittent claudication and muscle injury or wasting, all of which figure prominently in Pluristem's clinical pipeline.
Pluristem's out-licensing partner, United Therapeutics, is currently conducting a Phase I study in Australia of Pluristem's cells in the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension, and is recruiting patients for the second cohort in the study.
Pluristem has been issued over 40 patents, and has approximately 150 more patents pending worldwide.
About Pluristem Therapeutics
Pluristem Therapeutics Inc. is a leading developer of placenta-based cell therapy products. The Company has reported robust clinical trial data in multiple indications for its patented PLX (PLacental eXpanded) cells. The cells release a cocktail of therapeutic proteins in response to inflammation, ischemia, hematological disorders, and radiation damage. PLX cell products are grown using the Company's proprietary three-dimensional expansion technology. They are "off-the-shelf", requiring 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.
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. 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
