PLX-PAD cells offer promising potential treatment for preeclampsia; currently no treatment exists other than early delivery

Haifa, Israel -- (SBWire) -- 02/12/2014 --Pluristem Therapeutics, Inc., a leading developer of placenta-based cell therapies, today announced it has formed a Preeclampsia Steering Committee to advance its PLacental eXpanded (PLX) cell therapies for the treatment of preeclampsia.

“Preeclampsia is an important indication for our PLX-PAD cells. Based on the dire need for a treatment and the potential of our cell therapy in this indication, we have made it a key priority to enter clinical trials for preeclampsia in the near future,” stated Pluristem Chairman and CEO Zami Aberman. “The caliber of medical and scientific thought leaders who have joined our Preeclampsia Steering Committee is a testament to the promise of our PLX cell therapy as a potential treatment for this disease.”

Preeclampsia Steering Committee Member, Dr. Sibai, who was a moderator on the preeclampsia scientific forum, “Debate and Consensus: Preeclampsia Biomarkers in Clinical Practice, Are we ready?” at the Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine in New Orleans on Feb 5, 2014, commented, “For almost a thousand years, physicians have had no therapy to offer women with preeclampsia. A safe and effective therapy is needed to treat these women and prolong gestation. Pluristem’s PLX cells are a unique potential therapy because they originate from the placenta, which plays a key role in preeclampsia.”

Pluristem’s Preeclampsia Steering Committee:

Prof. James M. Roberts, M.D.
University of Pittsburgh
Professor, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences
Professor of Epidemiology, Senior Scientist, Magee-Women’s Research Institute

Prof. George R. Saade, M.D.
University of Texas Medical Branch
Professor, Division Chief Obstetrics & Gynecology

Prof. Baha M. Sibai, M.D.
University of Texas Medical School
Visiting Professor

Dr. David Williams, PhD FRCP
University College London
Honorary Senior Lecturer, Maternal & Fetal Medicine, Institute for Women's Health, Faculty of Population Health Sciences

Prof. Simcha Yagel, M.D.
Hadassah Medical Center, Israel
Head Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Hadassah Medical Center
Head of the Israeli Association of Placental Study

The Preeclampsia Steering Committee will guide Pluristem’s preeclampsia program including advising on various stages of clinical trials, from the design of the study protocol through processing patient feedback up to the final study report. Committee members have vast knowledge of preeclampsia and a commitment to finding a treatment.

In preclinical studies, PLX cells have been shown to be safe and an effective treatment for preeclampsia. In November 2013, Pluristem announced that PLX cells proved to be safe in an animal study assessing maternal and fetal toxicity. The Company announced in May 2013 that PLX cells improved several parameters of preeclampsia in animal models of the disease.

About Preeclampsia
Preeclampsia is one of the most common medical complications of pregnancy, and one of the leading known causes of premature births, stillbirths and early neonatal and maternal deaths. If left untreated it can progress to eclampsia, the life-threatening occurrence of seizures during pregnancy. The only known treatment for preeclampsia is abortion or delivery. The disease occurs after the 20th week of pregnancy, and is characterized by high blood pressure and significant amounts of protein in the urine or end-organ dysfunction. According to the World Health Organization, preeclampsia occurs in approximately 6–8% of pregnancies worldwide. It is estimated that preeclampsia costs the global health care system $3 billion annually.

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 www.pluristem.com, the content of which is not part of this press release.

Safe Harbor Statement
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