BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Announces Adult Stem Cell
Breakthrough for Neurodegenerative Diseases
BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Announces Adult Stem Cell Breakthrough for
Neurodegenerative Diseases; Differentiation into GDNF-Producing Astrocytes
NEW YORK & TEL AVIV, Israel--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 18, 2005-- BrainStorm
Cell Therapeutics (OTCBB:BCLI), today announced a breakthrough in the
development of adult stem cell therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases.
The company's scientific collaborators at Tel Aviv University, have
successfully used adult stem cells to produce glial derived neurotrophic
factor (GDNF). GDNF producing cells hold great promise for treatment of
Parkinson's and other neurodegenerative diseases.
In the current study, the research team at Tel Aviv University used
proprietary technology, to differentiate human bone-marrow-derived
mesenchymal-stem cells into neural supporting cells that produce GDNF.
Worldwide rights to these research results are exclusively licensed to
BrainStorm.
GDNF has been shown to protect dopaminergic brain cells, neurons that
produce dopamine that becomes depleted in Parkinson's patients. GDNF has
also been shown to have a beneficial role in protecting neurons in animal
models of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Spinal Cord Injury (SCI).
Most of the current treatment of neurodegenerative diseases provide limited
benefit to patients. Drugs for Parkinson's disease, which focus on dopamine
supplementation, often cause prohibitive side effects. To overcome these
problems, researchers around the world are intensively exploring novel cell-
and gene-based therapies for replacement and augmentation of the lost
neurons. Prominent among these novel therapies are attempts to deliver GDNF
to the site of neuronal regeneration.
In the current BrainStorm-sponsored study at Tel Aviv University,
biochemical and immunological methodology showed that human bone marrow
mesenchymal stem cells may be uniquely differentiated into cells that
resemble astrocytes, express astrocytic markers and produce significant
levels of GDNF.
The same scientific team at Tel Aviv University, led by Professor Eldad
Melamed and Dr. Daniel Offen, have previously developed patent-pending
technology to differentiate human bone marrow into dopamine producing
neuron-like cells, which showed functional benefit in animal models of
Parkinson's disease. This technology is also exclusively licensed to
BrainStorm.
"Neurologists have long thought that GDNF can be used to preserve and
maintain the integrity of dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson's disease.
However, delivery to the appropriate location is a major challenge. Direct
delivery of the protein has failed and there are current ongoing attempts at
gene therapy. We believe that our approach, based on neural transplantation
of stem cell derived GDNF producing cells, without any genetic manipulation,
is preferable," said Prof. Eldad Melamed, Chairman of the Scientific
Advisory Board.
In addition, "The use of a patient's own bone marrow stem cells to generate
neural cells for replacement and support of a patient's damaged dopaminergic
cells is a strategy that will avoid problems of immunological rejection,"
said Dr. Daniel Offen, Chief Scientist.
"This is a remarkable achievement which combined with our previous success
in producing dopaminergic cells, gives us a two-pronged, synergistic
approach to develop long term alternatives for the treatment of Parkinson's
disease and other debilitating disorders, such as ALS or SPI," said Yaffa
Beck, President and CEO. " We look forward to demonstrating benefit of the
GDNF producing cells in animal models and are intent on developing both our
dopaminergic and GDNF differentiation processes to the clinic," she added.
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 of prominent neurologist, Prof. Eldad Melamed, Head of Neurology
at Rabin Medical Center, and expert cell biologist Dr. Daniel Offen, at the
Felsenstein Medical Research Center of Tel-Aviv University, enabling the
differentiation of bone marrow derived stem cells into functional neurons,
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 face
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.
About Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson's Disease (PD), which was first described by James Parkinson in
1817 as "the shaking palsy", is a chronic, progressive neurodegenerative
disorder, affecting the brain cells responsible for production of dopamine.
The symptoms include tremors, rigidity, slowness of movement and impaired
balance. Over four million people in the developed world, including as many
as 1.5 million Americans, mainly over the age of 65, are diagnosed with PD.
That figure is predicted to rise by 10% by 2010. Pharmaceutical treatments
of PD with an estimated combined annual market value of $4 billion, are
insufficient to meet patient needs. The search for more effective treatments
continues.
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. 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. limited operating history,
history of losses and expectation to incur losses for the foreseeable
future; need to raise additional capital to execute on its business plan;
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 who have recently joined the company 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. market; the limited public trading market for
BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc. stock which may never develop into an
active market; and other factors detailed in BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics
Inc. annual report on From 10-KSB, quarterly reports on Form 10-QSB, current
reports on From 8-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission available at http://www.sec.gov/  or by request to the Company.
Contacts BrainStorm Cell TherapeuticsDr. Yaffa Beck, 972-544-300-794
[log in to unmask] © Business Wire 2005
Rayilyn Brown
Board Member AZNPF
Arizona Chapter National Parkinson's Foundation
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