BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc. (OTCBB:BCLI), a leading developer of adult stem cell technologies and therapeutics, is pleased to announce that the Company has expanded its collaboration with Rutgers University in an effort to cure spinal cord injuries through BrainStorm’s cutting-edge adult stem cell research. The Spinal Cord Injury Project is the first focus of the W. M. Keck Center for Collaborative Neuroscience at Rutgers University.
Spinal cord injuries cause damage to the fiber tracts that carry sensation and motor signals to and from the brain. Such injuries also damage the central part of the spine, causing segmental losses of interneurons and motor neurons. The study, combined with BrainStorm’s unique differentiation process, uses stem cells derived from human bone marrow that are expanded and induced to secrete neurotrophic factors. Preliminary evidence has indicated that transplantation of differentiated (but not non-differentiated) human bone marrow derived stem cells improved motor behavior of subjects used in animal studies as measured by motor and walking analysis.
Dr. Martin Grumet, Director of the W.M. Keck Center for Collaborative Neuroscience who leads the research team at Rutgers University, said "After observing the significant effects of the BrainStorm cells in preliminary tests in the MASCIS model for spinal cord injury, we are excited to join forces and expand the research with the BrainStorm team. Rutgers' knowledge with spinal cord injuries, and BrainStorm's promising and unique technologies, are expected to advance the treatments to individuals with spinal cord injuries."
“We are excited to embark on this project with such a highly respected U.S. educational institution,” said Chaim Lebovits, President of BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics. “Our preliminary results provide a strong validation for continuing our collaborative efforts to confirm these findings through additional testing that could, with G-D’s help, potentially lead to a new strategy for cell therapy to cure spinal cord injuries.”
There are an estimated 10,000 to 12,000 spinal cord injuries every year in the United States. A quarter of a million Americans are currently living with spinal cord injuries and the cost of managing the care of spinal cord injury patients approaches $4 billion each year. 38.5% of all spinal cord injuries happen during car accidents, and almost a quarter (24.5%) are the result of injuries related to violent encounters, often involving guns and knives, while other causes are due to sporting accidents, falls, and work-related accidents. 55% of spinal cord injury victims are between 16 and 30 years old, and more than 80% of spinal cord injury patients are men.
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.
About Rutgers University
Established in 1766, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is America’s eighth oldest institution of higher learning and one of the nation’s premier public research universities. Serving more than 50,000 students on campuses in Camden, Newark and New Brunswick, Rutgers offers more than 280 bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral and professional degree programs. The university is home to 27 degree-granting schools and colleges, and more than 150 specialized centers and institutes.
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.gov/ or by request to the Company. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements made by us.
for BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc.
Juda Englemayer, 212-999-5585
jenglemayer@5wpr.com