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BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Initiates
Stem Cell Safety Study in Primates for Parkinson's Disease
NEW YORK & PETACH TIKVA, Israel
- BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics (OTCBB: BCLI - News), a leader in Adult Stem
Cell Research, announced today that it has initiated a safety trial using an
animal model of Parkinson's disease in primates. The study utilizes
BrainStorm's proprietary adult stem cell technology which has shown efficacy
in animal models of Parkinson's Disease in previous pre-clinical trials. In
those studies, human-bone-marrow-derived stem cells were differentiated into
astrocyte-like cells (supporting cells) and transplanted into mice and rats
brains. The engrafted cells survived, kept their function and significantly
improved the motor symptoms of Parkinson's Disease animal models over a long
period of time.
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The study is being carried out in collaboration with the Center for
Applied Medical Research (CIMA) of the University of Navarra in Pamplona,
Spain. The team at the Movement Disorders Unit at the University has over 20
years experience in researching and applying new therapies to treat
Parkinson's Disease, and anticipates being among the first to use
BrainStorm's technology to treat patients in its own University Hospital.
Commenting on the announcement, Yoram Drucker, BrainStorm Cell
Therapeutic's Chief Operating Officer stated: "We are pleased to have this
primate safety study underway and we anticipate that successful results will
lead to human clinical trials."
In addition to moving ahead with the company's Parkinson's Disease
program, BrainStorm is also progressing with pre-clinical trials applying
the company's stem cell technology to the treatment of ALS and Multiple
Sclerosis.
About BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc.
BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc. is an emerging company developing adult
stem cell therapeutic products, derived from autologous (self) bone marrow
cells, for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. The NurOwn(TM)
patent pending technology is based on discoveries made by the scientific
team led by prominent neurologist Professor Eldad Melamed, Head of Neurology
at Rabin Medical Center, and expert cell biologist Dr. Daniel Offen, Head of
the Neuroscience Laboratory at the Felsenstein Medical Research Center of
Tel-Aviv University. The technology allows for the differentiation of bone
marrow-derived stem cells into functional neurons and astrocytes, as
demonstrated in animal models. The Company holds rights to develop and
commercialize the technology through an exclusive, worldwide licensing
agreement with Ramot at Tel Aviv University Ltd., the technology transfer
company of Tel-Aviv University. The Company's initial focus is on
Parkinson's disease, although its technology has promise for treating
several others diseases including MS, ALS, Huntington's disease and stroke.
About Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA) of the University of
Navarra
The Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA) of the University of
Navarra is run by the Foundation for Applied Medical Research, which was
established with the encouragement of the University of Navarra Schools of
Medicine, Science, Pharmacy and the University Hospital. The mission is to
promote basic, translational and clinical research in the fields of health
and biomedicine. CIMA is involved in different biomedical projects in the
following divisions: Gene Therapy and Hepatology, Cardiovascular Sciences,
Neurosciences (Parkinson and Alzheimer) and Oncology.
About Stem Cell Therapy
Stem cells are non-specialized cells with a remarkable potential for both
self-renewal and differentiation into cell types with a specialized
function, such as muscle, blood or brain cells. Stem cells can be harvested
from fetal or embryonic tissue or from adult tissue reservoirs such as bone
marrow. Use of embryonic stem cells is at the center of significant ethical
and moral debate. In contrast, use of adult stem cells does not provoke the
same moral or legal controversy. Stem cell therapy aims to "cure" disease by
replacing the diseased cells with healthy cells derived from stem cells.
This approach has the potential to revolutionize medicine and, if
successful, the implied commercial opportunities are great. Currently,
scientists are exploring both embryonic stem cells (ESC) and adult stem
cells (ASC) as the potential basis for multiple cell therapy products.
Safe Harbor Statement
Statements in this announcement other than historical
data and information constitute "forward-looking statements" and involve
risks and uncertainties that could cause BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc.'s
actual results to differ materially from those stated or implied by such
forward-looking statements. The potential risks and uncertainties include,
among others, risks associated with BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc.'s
limited operating history, history of losses and expectation to incur losses
for the foreseeable future; limited cash resources and its need to raise
additional capital to execute on its business plan and continue operations;
transition issues related to the departure of its CEO; dependence on its
license to Ramot's technology and ability to meet its funding and payment
obligations included in such license agreement; ability, together with its
licensor, to adequately protect the NurOwn(TM) technology; dependence on key
executives and on its scientific consultants; ability to identify, negotiate
and successfully implement strategic partnering relationships; ability to
complete clinical trials successfully and to obtain required regulatory
approvals; competition with companies, some of which have greater resources
and experience in developing and obtaining regulatory approval for
treatments in BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc.'s market; the limited public
trading market for BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc.'s stock which may never
develop into an active market; and other factors detailed in BrainStorm Cell
Therapeutics Inc.'s annual report on Form 10-KSB, quarterly reports on Form
10-QSB, current reports on Form 8-K and other filings with the Securities
and Exchange Commission available at
http://www.sec.gov/ or by request to the Company. The Company does not
undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements made by us.
Contact:
For BrainStorm
Director of Business Development
Dr. Holly Atkinson, 212-828-1561
hatkinson@brainstorm-cell.com
www.brainstorm-cell.com
or
For CIMA
Assistant Director of Communication
Natalia Horstmann, +34 646 001 686
nhorstmann@unav.es
www.cima.es
Source: BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics.
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