BrainStorm on the Verge of a Breakthrough Towards Developing a Cure
for Lou Gehrig's Disease
NEW YORK & PETACH TIKVAH, Israel--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct 8, 2007 -
BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc. (OTCBB:BCLI)
of adult stem cell technologies and therapeutics, announced today
that the Company is initiating a series of efficacy and safety
studies toward a cure for Amyelotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease, named after the famous baseball player
who succumbed to the illness, is a rare and incurable
neurodegenerative disease characterized by rapid loss of motor
neurons leading to impaired motor-function and progressive paralysis.
As the disease progresses, the patient loses control of the muscles
controlling speech, swallowing and finally breathing, which
inevitably becomes fatal within 3-5 years from onset for the vast
majority of patients. ALS afflicts an average of two out of 100,000
individuals and six out 100,000 persons suffer from the disease. The
cause of the disease is yet unknown.
The scientific team at the Tel Aviv University Neuroscience
laboratory led by Prof. Eldad Melamed and Dr. Daniel Offen, has
transplanted BrainStorm's human neurotrophic factor (NTFs) producing
cells into transgenic mutant SOD mice (mice with mutated human genes
and the most common animal model of the human disease). Preliminary
results demonstrated remarkable effect on the deteriorated motor
function as measured by performance on running rotational rods.
"During our study, BrainStorm's technology was used to differentiate
adult stem cells, which will be able to be extracted from ALS
patients, into cells producing the neurotrophic factors," explained
Dr. Offen. "Significant improvement in motor function was achieved
once we implanted the cells into a mouse model of ALS. These positive
results bring us closer to clinical trials as we continue to design
additional studies to support our data."
The transplanted cells were isolated from human bone marrow, expanded
in vitro and induced to differentiate into cells that produce
neuroprotective factors including GDNF and BDNF, which have been
shown to protect neurons in certain neurodegenerative diseases. The
company is moving forward with additional studies and further results
will be analyzed and reported accordingly.
"We are extremely pleased to spearhead adult stem cell efforts toward
a cure for Lou Gehrig's disease," commented Chaim Lebovits, President
of BrainStorm. "The devastation of ALS is often displaced amongst the
other more familiar neurodegenerative diseases. BrainStorm recognizes
the severity of this disease, and, thank G-d, is pleased so far with
our progress toward alleviating its effects."
BrainStorm's cell therapeutic approach is based on the
transplantation of the patient's own bone marrow-derived mesenchymal
stem cells, which are stimulated to differentiate ex-vivo into NTF
producing cells. These cells, when administered back into the
patient, are believed to provide neuroprotection of motor-neurons.
This results in improved motor function as well as improvement of the
clinical symptoms. BrainStorm's large-scale efficacy studies will
provide additional data to support the initial pilot study.
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 NurOwn(TM) patent pending technology is based on discoveries made
by the scientific team led by prominent neurologist Professor Eldad
Melamed, Head of Neurology at Rabin Medical Center, and expert cell
biologist Dr. 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 initial focus is on
Parkinson's disease, although its technology has promise for treating
several others diseases including MS, ALS, 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; dependence on its license to
Ramot's technology; ability, together with its licensor, to
adequately protect the NurOwn(TM) 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-KSB, quarterly reports
on Form 10-QSB, current reports on Form 8-K and other filings with
the Securities and Exchange Commission available at
http://www.sec.
not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements
made by us.
Contact
for BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc.
Kristin Sommers, 212-999-5585
ksommers@5wpr.
http://www.medadnew
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StemCells subscribers may also be interested in these sites:
Children's Neurobiological Solutions
http://www.CNSfoundation.org/
Cord Blood Registry
http://www.CordBlood.com/at.cgi?a=150123
The CNS Healing Group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CNS_Healing
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