Pluristem Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: PSTI; DAX: PJT) is a bio-therapeutics company working to commercialize non-personalized cell therapy products for the treatment of a variety of severe degenerative, autoimmune disorders for situations where current therapies are impractical. The company was founded in 2001 as A.I. Software, Inc. and changed its name to Pluristem Therapeutics, Inc. in November 2007. The company is based in Haifa, Israel.
Pluristem’s pipeline of products is derived from mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) that are obtained from the human placenta, an organ that has traditionally been considered medical waste after childbirth. Because of this, it is a non-embryonic, non-controversial source of cells. The company then expands the MSCs using its proprietary PluriX™ 3D bioreactor. Pluristem’s products are then stored and are “ready to use” with no matching needed.
Current products in development include:
PLX-PAD is intended to treat patients suffering from the critical stage of peripheral artery disease (PAD). PAD affects millions of patients whose symptoms stem from a decrease in blood supply primarily to the lower extremities. PAD is aggravated by conditions such as atherosclerosis, diabetes and smoking. Animal studies have shown that PLX-PAD significantly increases the number of new blood vessels and blood flow to the extremities. Pluristem plans for human studies to begin later in 2008.
PLX-BMT is intended to address the global shortfall of matched stem cells (HSCs) required for bone marrow transplants (BMT), because approximately 60% of patients diagnosed with leukemia each year are unable to find a suitable bone marrow donor match. Tests in animals have shown promising results, and Pluristem expects to begin human trials in early 2009.
PLX-STROKE shows potential to become a new treatment for functional recovery from a stroke.
PLX-MS shows potential for the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis, an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks the central nervous system (CNS). PLX-IBD shows potential for the treatment of ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, known collectively as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).
Pluristem also believes its PLX cells are potentially useful for other health issues such as organ transplantation, orthopedic injuries and radiation sickness.
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