Pluristem Therapeutics marks its first entry into the defense sector with today’s breaking news. NIAID, a part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), will initiate studies in large animals to evaluate dosing for Pluristem’s PLX-R18 as a medical countermeasure in the treatment of the hematologic components of Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS).
To learn more, read the full press issued by Pluristem, included below with permission from Janet Vasquez, Managing Director/Founder of JVPRVY.
National Institutes of Health’s NIAID Initiating Dose Evaluation Studies in Animal Models of Pluristem’s PLX-R18 in the Treatment of Acute Radiation Syndrome
Second Hematologic Indication Being Developed in the U.S. for PLX-R18
HAIFA, Israel, Feb. 16, 2016 — Pluristem Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq:PSTI) (TASE:PLTR), a leading developer of placenta-based cell therapy products, today announced that the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), a part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), will initiate studies in large animals to evaluate dosing for Pluristem’s PLX-R18 as a medical counter measure in the treatment of the hematologic components of Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS). Once the optimal dose is determined in large animals, a pivotal trial could be conducted and the results used to support a Biologics License Application (BLA) submission of PLX-R18 for this indication under the Animal Rule regulatory pathway. In September 2015, the FDA had confirmed that data from earlier trials conducted by NIAID were sufficient for the future design of studies in Pluristem’s development path for PLX-R18. NIAID is supporting and collaborating on the dosing studies, and Pluristem is supplying PLX-R18.
ARS is caused by exposure to very high levels of radiation, such as those that could occur in a nuclear catastrophe. The syndrome can cause severe illness or death. When human trials are not ethical or feasible, as in this indication, the FDA’s Animal Rule regulatory pathway allows for the determination of the efficacy of drugs using animal efficacy studies and human safety data.
“We are very pleased to receive the support and collaboration of the NIH for the development of PLX-R18 as a medical countermeasure in the treatment of ARS, which is the first indication we are targeting in the defense technology space,” stated Pluristem Chairman and CEO Zami Aberman.
Pluristem recently received FDA clearance to initiate a Phase I trial of PLX-R18 to treat incomplete hematopoietic recovery following Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (HCT). This trial is scheduled to begin in the first half of 2016 in the U.S. Additionally, Pluristem has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Japan’s Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima Global Medical Science Center to develop PLX-R18 for the treatment of ARS and for morbidities following radiotherapy in cancer patients.
Previous NIH/NIAID studies of PLX-R18 in ARS
The NIH has supported and completed two mouse studies of PLX-R18 as a potential treatment of the component of ARS that affects bone marrow function. ARS involves severe, potentially lethal damage to the bone marrow’s ability to produce blood cells and platelets, as well as to other systems and organs. Severe damage to bone marrow quickly makes victims vulnerable to life-threatening hemorrhage, infection and anemia. A recently concluded NIH/NIAID study showed that administration of PLX-R18 resulted in a statistically significant improvement in the recovery of white blood cell, red blood cell, and platelet levels in animals exposed to high levels of radiation, and described the treatment’s mechanism of action. The NIH/NIAID’s first study of PLX-R18 showed a substantial, statistically significant improvement in 30-day survival and overall survival of irradiated rodents given PLX-R18 versus a control group.
About PLX-R18
PLX-R18 is Pluristem’s second cell therapy product in development. It is designed to treat bone marrow that is unable to produce enough blood cells due to a variety of causes including ARS, certain cancers or cancer treatments, or immune-mediated bone marrow failure. Pluristem received FDA clearance to initiate a Phase I trial of PLX-R18 in incomplete bone marrow recovery following hematopoietic cell transplantation. With its capabilities, PLX-R18 could potentially treat a broad range of hematologic indications, which together constitute a substantial global market.
About Pluristem Therapeutics
Pluristem Therapeutics Inc. is a leading developer of placenta-based cell therapy products. The Company has reported robust clinical trial data in multiple indications for its patented PLX cells. The cells release a cocktail of therapeutic proteins in response to inflammation, ischemia, hematological disorders, and radiation damage. PLX cell products are grown using the Company’s proprietary three-dimensional expansion technology. They are off-the-shelf, requiring no tissue matching prior to administration.
Pluristem has a strong intellectual property position; Company-owned and operated, GMP-certified manufacturing and research facilities; strategic relationships with major research institutions; and a seasoned management team.
Want to be better informed than your competition? Get future stem cell industry updates.
About Us
BioInformant is the only research firm that has served the stem cell sector since it emerged. BioInformant research has been cited by major news outlets that include the Wall Street Journal, Nature Biotechnology, CBS News, Medical Ethics, and the Center for BioNetworking. Serving Fortune 500 leaders that include GE Healthcare, Pfizer, Goldman Sachs, and Becton Dickinson, BioInformant is your global leader in stem cell industry data.
Click here to view our global strategic reports for the stem cell and cord blood industry.
Tell Us What You Think!