BCLI .49 x .52 - stem cell play - Parkinsons, ALS and other neurological diseases
Study in Leading Cell Journal Supports Scientific Basis for BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics' Technology
May 31, 2006 8:30:00 AM
Copyright Business Wire 2006
NEW YORK & TEL AVIV, Israel--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 31, 2006--
BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics, Inc. (OTCBB:BCLI) announced today that a new study, published in the April issue of Stem Cells and Development, reports a predisposition of human bone marrow-derived stem cells to differentiate into a variety of nerve cell types. These findings support the prospect of using cell therapies derived from adult bone marrow-derived stem cells to treat devastating neurological diseases such as Parkinson's disease.
The study's authors are members of a scientific team led by prominent neurologist Prof. Eldad Melamed, Head of Neurology at Rabin Medical Center, and expert cell biologist Dr. Daniel Offen, Head of the Laboratory of Neurosciences at the Tel-Aviv University. Prof. Melamed and Dr. Offen are among the founders of Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics, Inc., which is engaged in the development of stem cell therapeutic products for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
The authors show that their novel technique of stem-cell differentiation demonstrates the potential of developing dopaminergic cells, which are the cells that degenerate in Parkinson's disease.
In the article, Blondheim, et. al. report that naive (undifferentiated) human bone marrow-derived stem cells express many neural genes and their protein products, including neural markers, receptors, transcription factors, and filament proteins. The unique proteins essential for dopamine synthesis are among the proteins expressed by the evolving stem cells. The levels of these genes and proteins are elevated following in vitro neuronal differentiation.
In an accompanying editorial published by the Editor-in-Chief, Denis English, Ph.D., Professor of Neurosurgery at the University of South Florida College of Medicine in Tampa, the significance of these findings is stressed: "These investigators are among the first to suggest gene focusing as the basis of stem cell differentiation."
"The implication of these discoveries is that since the naive human bone marrow derived-stem cells already express some neuronal traits, they are ideal candidates for induction by specific protocols as developed by Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics, Inc. to differentiate into functional neuronal cells," said Yoram Drucker, Chief Operating Officer and Principal Executive of BrainStorm. The research by the Melamed-Offen team forms the basis of the intellectual property licensed by BrainStorm from Tel-Aviv University. "These cells can then be utilized in the future for regenerative therapy in neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease," said Mr. Drucker.
The Melamed-Offen research team at Tel Aviv University has successfully used bone marrow stem cells to produce dopaminergic-like cells, which have been shown to be capable of secreting dopamine and improving symptoms in animal models of Parkinson's disease. The research team has also used its bone marrow stem cell technology to produce astrocyte-like cells with the capacity of producing glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), the most potent neurotrophic factor known for dopaminergic neurons. Transplanted dopamine- and GDNF producing-cells, acting on their own or in combination, hold great promise for replacement and preservation of neurons in Parkinson's and other neurodegenerative diseases, including ALS and MS.
About BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc.
BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc. is an emerging company developing neural-like stem cell therapeutic products, NurOwn(TM), based on autologous bone marrow-derived stromal cells, for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. NurOwn(TM) patent pending technology is based on discoveries made by the team led by prominent neurologist Prof. 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 enables 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 developing treatments for Parkinson's disease.
About Stem Cell Therapy
Stem cells are non-specialized cells with a remarkable potential for both self-renewal and differentiation into cell types with a specialized function, such as muscle, blood or brain cells. Stem cells may be sourced from fetal or embryonic tissue or from adult tissue reservoirs such as bone marrow. Use of embryonic stem cells has become the center of significant ethical and moral debate. In contrast, use of adult stem cells does not evoke the same moral or legal controversy. Stem cell therapy aims to "cure" disease by replacing the 'diseased' cells with 'healthy' cells derived from stem cells. This approach has the potential to revolutionize medicine and, if successful, the implied commercial opportunities are great. Currently, both embryonic stem cells (ESC) and adult stem cells (ASC) are being explored as the potential basis for multiple cell therapy products.
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. 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; limited cash resources and its need to raise additional capital to execute on its business plan and continue operations; transition issues related to the departure of its CEO; dependence on its license to Ramot's technology and ability to meet its funding and payment obligations included in such license agreement; 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 sec.gov or by request to the Company. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements made by us.
Source: BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics, Inc.
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BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics
Inc.
Dr. Holly G. Atkinson
212-828-1561
hatkinson@brainstorm-cell.com
www.brainstorm-cell.com |
