NEW YORK & PETACH TIKVAH, Israel - (Business Wire) BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc. (OTCBB:BCLI), a leading developer of adult stem cell technologies and therapeutics, is pleased to announce that the company’s therapeutic approach for treating neurodegenerative diseases was shown to be superior to other current potential stem cell treatments. In a scientific paper published in the Israel Medical Association Journal, Ofer Sadan, Eldad Melamed and Daniel Offen, from Tel Aviv University, show the migratory capacity of Neurotrophic Factor Stem Cells (NTF-SC) in animal models of Parkinson’s disease and Huntington disease. The study demonstrated that in a rat model for Parkinson’s disease, the efficacy of NTF-SC was superior to that of mesenchymal stem cells in terms of behavioral, biochemical and histological indices.
“The results of this study show that the NTF-SC based treatment is efficacious due to NTF secretion and the stem cell’s migratory capabilities. Since our novel technology is clinically compatible and safe, the study suggests that in the future, cell therapy based on the transplantation of NTF-SC derived from autologous human mesenchymal stem cells should become a preferable option in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases,” commented Professor Daniel Offen, Brainstorm’s chief scientific advisor.
“This study demonstrates that Brainstorm’s approach in differentiating adult mesenchymal stem cells into NTF-SC, will provide the most effective approach for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases via the use of stem cells,” said Rami Efrati, CEO of Brainstorm. “As we near clinical trials, the Company and its scientific team will continue to study how our technology and methodology can be further utilized with other neurodegenerative diseases.”
The complete study and scientific paper can be read on Brainstorm’s website at http://www.brainstorm-cell.com/_Uploads/47Sadan2009.pdf.
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 patent pending technology is based on discoveries made by the scientific team led by Professor Eldad Melamed, former Head of Neurology at Rabin Medical Center, and cell biologist Prof. 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 current focus is on ALS, although its technology has promise for treating several other diseases including MS, Huntington's disease and stroke.
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, including BrainStorm's ability to complete its equity financing transactions previously disclosed. 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; minimal working capital and difficulty raising additional capital, dependence on its license to Ramot's technology; ability, together with its licensor, to adequately protect the 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-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, 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.
BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics
Rami Efrati, CEO, +972-3-9236384
efrati@brainstorm-cell.com
