Pluristem gets positive results from radiation treatment trials

Pluri

31/07/2019 13:00

TEL AVIV, July 31 (Reuters) - Israel's
Pluristem Therapeutics Inc  PSTI.TA  reported on Wednesday
positive results from a series of studies in animals of its
placenta-based stem cell therapy to treat acute radiation
syndrome (ARS).
    The studies were conducted by the U.S. Department of
Defense’s Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute.
    The tests, conducted via the Food and Drug Administration's
"animal rule pathway" as ARS cannot be tested in humans, were
designed to evaluate Pluristem's PLX-R18 as a preventative
treatment for ARS before radiation exposure.
    The studies demonstrate that PLX-R18, administered 24 hours
before radiation exposure and again 72 hours after exposure,
resulted in an increase in survival rates of 46-70% compared
with the control group, Pluristem  PSTI.O  said.
    The data also showed an increase in recovery of blood
platelets, neutrophils, white blood cells and lymphocytes and a
favourable safety profile. Analysis of tissues collected showed
an increase in bone marrow cell numbers and improved
regenerative capability, the company said.
    "We believe that this outcome is an important contribution
to protect the armed and medical forces which may need to enter
contaminated areas," Chief Executive Officer Yaky Yanay said.
    "It is Pluristem’s goal to provide the different federal
agencies access to PLX-R18 that it may be used as a
countermeasure both before and after radiation exposure in order
to minimize haematological and other organ damage."
    The Department of Defense is conducting further studies.
    PLX-R18 is also being evaluated by the National Institute of
Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the U.S. National
Institutes of Health, as a treatment following radiation
exposure.
    Last year, the FDA cleared the emergency use of Pluristem's
therapy to treat ARS in a nuclear event.     

 (Reporting by Tova Cohen; Editing by Steven Scheer and Mark
Potter)
 ((tova.cohen@thomsonreuters.com; +972-9-899-0222; Reuters
Messaging: tova.cohen.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))