Pluristem Reaches Milestone of 100 Granted Patents

• In addition, Pluristem has over 110 pending patent applications.
• The patents portfolio covers over 30 different innovations across major markets.

HAIFA, Israel, April 19, 2017 (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 its 100 ^th patent, an important milestone attesting to the significant accomplishments of its scientists and engineers, and its enduring commitment to innovative research and development.

The milestone reflects Pluristem’s continued efforts to develop accessible and effective placental cell therapies. Pluristem’s 100 approved patents and over 110 pending patent applications cover over 30 different innovations, including Pluristem’s proprietary Placental Expanded (PLX) cells and the pharmaceutical composition containing them; methods of expanding and harvesting the cells; uses of the cells in treating a wide variety of indications; and advanced devices developed for expanding and thawing the cells. Therapeutic areas covered by the patent portfolio include ischemic disorders such as intermittent claudication (IC), critical limb ischemia (CLI), ischemic stroke, acute myocardial infarction and ischemic kidney injury. Also covered are hematological disorders such as acute radiation syndrome (ARS), graft vs. host disease (GvHD), and incomplete engraftment of hematopoietic cell transplants (partially unsuccessful bone marrow transplantation). Other therapeutic areas include muscle and tendon injury; inflammatory bowel disorders and other autoimmune diseases; heart failure and cardiomyopathy.

“In an industry that demands constant technological and scientific advances, a robust patent portfolio covering our core innovations strengthens Pluristem’s competitive edge,” said Zami Aberman, Chairman and Co-CEO of Pluristem. “We believe that our patented technologies allow us to deliver truly distinct and scientifically superior products, while fulfilling our vision of creating successful cell therapies that we believe will change the way patients are treated.”

Pluristem is currently in advanced-stage, pre-marketing clinical trials for several of its cell therapy products. The patents cover Pluristem’s leading indications such as CLI, with patents in over 10 jurisdictions, including major markets such as the United States, Europe, Japan and China.

“Our patent portfolio is a valuable asset that serves our marketing strategy. We are pleased that our competitive advantage in technology and manufacturing will be secured by patent protection for many years to come,” said Yaky Yanay, Co-CEO and President of Pluristem. “These patented innovations created by our outstanding teams of researchers and engineers pave the way towards a better future for healthcare that leverages advanced technology to increase treatment efficacy and patient access, we look forward to the fulfillment of this vision.”

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 and is entering late-stage trials in several indications. The cell products release a range 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 and operated, GMP-certified manufacturing and research facilities; strategic relationships with major research institutions; and a seasoned management team.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains express or implied forward-looking statements within the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other U.S. Federal securities laws. For example, we are using forward-looking statements when we discuss Pluristem maintaining a competitive edge due to its robust patent portfolio covering its core innovations, Pluristem’s belief that its patented technologies allow it to deliver truly distinct and scientifically superior products that it believes will change the way patients are treated for various medical conditions and Pluristem’s patented innovations paving the way towards a better future for healthcare that leverages advanced technology to increase treatment efficacy and patient access. 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 clinical 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. 

Contact: Karine Kleinhaus, MD, MPH Divisional VP, North America 1-914-512-4109 karinek@pluristem.com Efrat Kaduri Head of Investor and Public Relations 972-74-7108600 efratk@pluristem.com