- Yaky Yanay appointed Co-Chief Executive Officer to serve together with Co-Chief Executive Officer Zami Aberman
- Erez Egozi appointed as Chief Financial Officer
Placental-Derived Allogeneic Stem Cells Meet the Needs of the Market and the Patient
As an increasing number of stem cell therapies advance through clinical trials, the healthcare industry’s focus comes to looking at which cells, allogeneic or autologous, are more likely to be commercially feasible. Proving safety and efficacy for a specific indication is a large enough challenge for any treatment, but for stem cell therapies in particular, commercial viability may be just as big a hurdle.
Israel-based Pluristem Therapeutics (NASDAQ:PSTI), may be the only stem cell company that can mass produce immune-privileged allogeneic cells at a scale and price that not only makes them commercially viable, but moreover makes stem cell therapy a preferred method of treatment for patients and payors alike. A proprietary 3D stem cell expansion technology which uses placental-derived cells is the key. [Read more…]
Top 10 Quotes from the Perinatal Stem Cell Society Conference 2016
Over the past three days, dozens of world renowned speakers have presented their latest findings at the Perinatal Stem Cell Society Conference 2016, hosted by Kyle Cetrulo of Auxocell Laboratories and the Perinatal Stem Cell Society (IPLASS).
To capture the best moments from the conference, below are the top 10 quotes from the event, which was hosted at Aspen Meadows Resort in Aspen, CO, over March 2-4, 2016.
I took the image above as we were landing in Aspen. You can see our full photo album from the event on Flickr, featuring presenters, sponsors, and more.
To get live updates from the event, connect with me on Twitter (@StemCellMarket) or follow the hashtag #Perinatal. Enjoy! [Read more…]
Interview with Dr. Racheli Ofir, VP of Research & Intellectual Property at Pluristem Therapeutics
I had the honor of interviewing Dr. Racheli Ofir, Vice President (VP) of Research & Intellectual Property at Pluristem Therapeutics. Pluristem is a clinical-stage biotechnology company that uses placental cells and a proprietary, three-dimensional technology platform to develop cell therapies for a broad range of diseases.
The company is at the forefront of placental-based cell therapy applications. In addition to other accomplishments, the company is now preparing for a proposed Phase III trial of its PLX-PAD cells in the treatment of critical limb ischemia (CLI).
Interview with Dr. Racheli Ofir, VP of Research & IP at Pluristem Therapeutics

Cade Hildreth: What is your background and how did you get involved with Pluristem?
Dr. Racheli Ofir: I did my PhD and post-doc in cellular and developmental biology at the Technion in Haifa. I joined Pluristem 9 years ago and am responsible for the research activity of the company including efficacy and safety studies of Pluristem placenta-derived cells, as well as revealing the underlying mechanism of action of the cells. [Read more…]
Human Longevity, Inc. to Expand Reach into Neonatal & Maternal Health Markets by Acquiring Celgene Owned LifebankUSA
In major news released today, Human Longevity, Inc. (HLI) announced that is is acquiring LifebankUSA, a cord blood, placental blood, and tissue bank owned by Celgene Cellular Therapeutics.
Based in San Diego, CA, Human Longevity, Inc. is an innovative company that specializes in the use of whole genome sequence analysis, clinical imaging, and machine learning to extend health across a longer human lifespan. LifebankUSA, based in Cedar Knolls, NJ, is the “the only company that offers cord blood, placenta blood and tissue banking – and the first to release placenta-derived stem cells for a successful transplant.” Celgene Cellular Therapeutics (CCT), the parent company of LifeBankUSA, specializes in cell therapy and regenerative medicine products, using LifeBankUSA to source its cell therapy, organ and tissue products, several of which are now being explored in clinical trials (PDA001, PDA002, and others).
The move will position Human Longevity, Inc. to offers its newborn genome sequencing product in combination to its newly acquired stem cell banking services.
[Read more…]