Haifa, Israel -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/15/2014 -- Pluristem Therapeutics, Inc., a leading developer of placenta-based cell therapies, today announced it has been granted a new patent in Australia. Patent #2008300185, titled "Methods for Cell Expansion and Uses of Cells and Conditioned Media Produced thereby for Therapy," covers the use of adherent placental cells for the treatment of ischemia, which is a restriction of blood supply to tissues, and for treatments of conditions requiring connective tissue repair or regeneration.

This is the 27th patent granted to Pluristem and it adds to other countries in which the company has patent protection. This patent directly addresses indications that Pluristem is currently developing for cardiovascular diseases including Intermittent Claudication,Critical Limb Ischemiaand Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI); orthopedic conditions including tendon injuries; and central nervous system conditions including Ischemic Stroke.

“This patent provides us broad protection in the use of placental cells to potentially treat specific conditions in connective tissue and ischemia, addressing very large treatment markets for which we are now conducting multiple clinical trials,” stated Zami Aberman, Chairman and CEO of Pluristem.

About Pluristem Therapeutics
Pluristem Therapeutics Inc. is a leading developer of placenta-based cell therapies. The Company's patented PLX (PLacental eXpanded) cells are a drug delivery platform that releases a cocktail of therapeutic proteins in response to a host of local and systemic inflammatory and ischemic diseases. PLX cells are grown using the company's proprietary 3D micro-environmental 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, the content of which is not part of this press release.