Haifa, Israel -- (SBWire) -- 01/09/2015 --Pluristem Therapeutics Inc., 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 http://www.pluristem.com. Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Pluristem
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 Granted Patent for Foundational Cell Harvesting Technology in South Africa
Patent covers methods for using vibration to harvest large yields of viable cells grown with three-dimensional technology